Professor Laura Harkness-Brennan

Who/what inspired you to study/work in STEMM?

My A-level teacher was brilliant. I didn’t always enjoy physics, and found it difficult when I first studied it but after a few years I started to really enjoy it, and the rest is history.

I am a naturally curious person, I love watching science programmes, especially anything by David Attenborough, and I always wanted to be a scientist or engineer.

What is your current job/role?

I am a Professor in the Department of Physics, and Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Impact for the Faculty of Science and Engineering. I am part of the nuclear physics group and my research ranges from studying the properties of nuclei to developing new technologies for radiation detection in healthcare. I interact a lot with students, either directly through teaching or through supervising research projects.  I also get to do my own research and sometimes this involves travelling to exotic places.  My most recent trip was to a nuclear structure physics experiment in Japan.

Can you tell us about your previous job/role?

After my PhD, I spent a year as a postdoctoral researcher, and then moved to work for a radiation detector company. I really enjoyed both of these but returned to academia to develop my own research proposals and teach the next generation of scientists.

What is interesting about what you do?

I really like interacting with lots of different people. Some of my research involves me working with clinicians, engineers, environmental scientists and energy experts. I am currently trying to develop new methods to detect radiation, which can impact in science and society.

Do you have any interesting facts about you/your work?

  • I am developing new technology that will help discover new properties of exotic nuclei
  • One of my research projects could help improve radiotherapy plans in the future
  • PhD students I have supervised are now working as physicists in labs and hospitals all over the world.

 

Find out more about Laura and her work: