Profile
Kathryn Coldham
My CV
-
Education:
I completed A levels in Biology, Further Maths, Maths and Physics, and an AS level in Chemistry, at the Sydney Russell School in Dagenham. I then studied for an MSci in Physics at Queen Mary University of London and I am currently a Doctoral Researcher at Brunel University London.
-
Qualifications:
MSci in Physics.
-
Work History:
I have carried out research at CERN and DESY. I volunteer at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, where I help to present fun science demos! I also volunteer as a STEM Ambassador, giving talks to school students all about particle physics.
-
Current Job:
Doctoral Researcher
-
Employer:
Brunel University London
Kathryn Coldham is a member of:
-
About Me:
I am a Doctoral Researcher at Brunel University London and I work on helping to improve our knowledge about a very heavy particle called the top quark. My job is to look at data that has been recorded by the CMS detector – a part of a big machine called the Large Hadron Collider! I also work on upgrade work for a part of the CMS detector called the Tracker. In my spare time, I do a martial art called Taekwondo and I am also a black belt in Jujitsu. I love anything to do with physics and enjoy travelling to different countries!
-
My pronouns are:
She/her
-
My Work:
I work on the CMS experiment and I look at data to help us to learn more about the top quark!
-
Read more
I work on the Large Hadron Collider (called the LHC for short). The LHC is a giant, ring-shaped machine at a place called CERN in Switzerland. The LHC is used to accelerate protons at speeds close to the speed of light before they collide! Afterwards, machines called detectors are used to see if any new particles have been produced and they also help to improve our knowledge about the particles we’ve already found. I work on one of the detectors, called the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector. This is to help us to learn more about one of the ways that a particle called the top quark is made inside this detector.
-
My Typical Day:
During a typical day, I firstly wake up and have a much-needed cup of tea! Then at work I use my laptop and use code to look at some of the data taken from the CMS detector to better understand it.
-
Read more
After protons are smashed together in the LHC, information about the particles that they produce is stored as data. Each second, the LHC generates more data than the that data contained in 200,000 DVDs! It’s my job to use code to look through some of this data, specifically for when a top quark has been produced in the LHC, to help us to learn more about this particle. I carry out this work with a group of researchers working on the same LHC experiment, so lots of teamwork is involved and we have many meetings to discuss ideas!
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
I would buy equipment to make physics demonstrations, helping students and members of the public to learn more about particle physics!
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Hardworking, kind and ambitious
What did you want to be after you left school?
A type of scientist called a Particle Physicist. Particle Physicists study incredibly small objects called particles that make up the entire universe!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
No, I was a very shy and quiet student who loved learning in lessons.
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I think I would be a full-time science communicator – I love helping members of the public to learn more about science
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Too hard to choose a favourite! But I do like Adele, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Queen and many more.
What's your favourite food?
Definitely, definitely chocolate!
Tell us a joke.
Why can't you trust an atom? Because they make up everything!
-