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Paul Higgins

My CV

  • Education:

    Salesian High School, Richmond, CA, USA, 1999-2003; Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA, USA, 2003-2005; UC Berkeley, CA, USA, 2005-2008; Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, 2008-2012.

  • Qualifications:

    UC Berkeley: AB (Bachelors) double majoring in Physics and Astrophysics; Trinity College Dublin: PhD (haven’t done my viva yet) in Physics (my thesis is on solar activity).

  • Work History:

    Particle Data Group / Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (on the UniverseAdventure.org ); Space Research Group / Space Science Laboratory (on the aurora); Astrophysics Research Group / Trinity College Dublin (on a software project to help scientists download and analyse image data).

  • Current Job:

    I am working as a research fellow in the Astrophysics Research Group, continuing my PhD research and waiting to have my “viva voce” (the PhD oral exam).

  • My Typical Day

    My typical day at work includes meeting a student I am supervising, or my supervisor to talk about my current project, as well as reading up on new science publications in my field, and finally doing the actual research- data analysis, testing physical models, writing up my findings, and trying to get them published!

  • What I'd do with the prize money

    If I win this contest, I will use the money to hire an undergraduate student (part-time) and purchase materials to kick-off a project I have been thinking about for a long time- SolarSurfer.org, a story-driven, astronomy education website, aimed at primary and secondary students.

  • My Interview

    • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

      In 3 words, I am driven and inspired, but scattered.

      What did you want to be after you left school?

      In my last year of secondary school I decided I wanted to be a theoretical physicist. I ended up as an experimental astrophysicist, so not too far off.

      Were you ever in trouble at school?

      Mainly because I “forgot” to do my homework, because I was outside playing with mates or watching movies/playing video games…

      Who is your favourite singer or band?

      DJ Shadow.

      What is the most fun thing you've done?

      Jumped out of an airplane (with a parachute).

      If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

      (1) To get a permanent job as a researcher in Berkeley, CA, but (2) still have time to travel the world and (3) own a yacht and explore the mediterranean.

      Tell us a joke.

      One hydrogen atom says to another, “I lost my electron”. The other replies, “are you sure?”- he says, “I’m POSITIVE!”.

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