What did you study?
At school I studied Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I always enjoyed maths and science, so it felt like the most natural thing to do was to choose the things that I found interesting (it also helped that they were the subjects I tended to be best at).
I completed a MMath in Mathematics in 2021 and I am currently studying for a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, studying the effects of non-Newtonian fluids and solid particle suspensions on hydrodynamic instabilities.
What inspired you to choose and study your degree subject?
For a long time, I was torn between maths and physics, or some combination of the two. Ultimately, it was a single piece of advice that swayed me towards maths – ‘if you enjoy it even when it challenging or frustrating, then that is probably the path you should follow’.
Maths can sometimes be challenging and frustrating, but in my experience, that just makes it all the more satisfying when you finally solve the problem.
At university, I was mostly drawn to applied mathematics and that is what lead me into mechanical engineering. Like maths, it has its own frustrations (also known as experiments), but overcoming all the challenges is the best part.
What has been your most exciting project?
My current PhD research is definitely my most exciting project. Exploring how instabilities are influenced by non-Newtonian fluids and suspensions, and the consequences for processes that have real-world relevance in an array of industries. The combination of theory, simulation, and experiments - and the challenge of fitting all those elements together whist contributing to a broader question is a really interesting process. Especially when you find something unexpected.
It’s a project that constantly challenges me to think differently, question assumptions, and adapt to new issues - and that is exactly what makes it so exciting.
Top tips
Embrace the interdisciplinary nature of research and learn some new languages along the way.
Mathematicians, engineers, physicists, chemists, biologists, we all have our unique languages, but they don’t always translate between disciplines. Taking the time to understand how others think and communicate can make collaboration much more effective. Some interesting discoveries can happen at the intersections of disciplines, so being open-minded and willing to learn from different perspectives is incredibly valuable.
Advice to share
“You should not undersell or underestimate yourself...you are far more capable than you believe.” - D.J.C.,2021.
Don’t underestimate the value of community and good mentors, you cannot always do things by yourself (no matter how hard you might try).
Why are you passionate about your subject?
I can constantly ask questions and then try to find answers. I love that what I do is never the same – there is always a new challenge to tackle or a new concept to understand. It means I’m constantly learning, and I think that’s amazing.
More resources:
Rebecca's LinkedIn profile