What did you study at A-level and why did you select those subjects?
I studied Physics, Maths and Chemistry at A-level. I knew I wanted to study STEM at university, so I chose these subjects to give myself as much flexibility as possible when it came to making that decision.
What degree did you study?
I started on the BSc program and switched to the MPhys Physics at the start of my third year, as I had realised that I wanted to spend more time on the project work and was also really enjoying my time at University.
What inspired you to choose and study your degree subject?
I began reading popular science non-fiction around the age of 16 and, although I didn’t understand a lot of the terminology, I became fascinated by the ideas. I knew that Physics at high school wouldn’t be enough to explain the concepts I was reading about—twins and time travel spring to mind!—so I decided to pursue Physics at university.
Alongside this, I knew that studying Physics would open up a wide range of career paths, and I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet. That turned out to be absolutely true: there’s almost nothing you can’t do with a Physics degree!
What key skills did you learn at university?
Too many to list! One particularly valuable skill I’ve learned is the ability to grasp complex new concepts quickly, which has given me a can-do, positive attitude. I’ve also developed a range of soft skills, such as presenting, collaborating, adapting to change, and building confidence.
Do you have an area of research?
My final year project was entitled “Translating Cancer Research to the Clinic”. I used infrared spectra from oral biopsies to train a neural network algorithm to differentiate between benign and malignant tissue. This had previously been done successfully using calcium fluoride slides, but that method wasn’t practical for clinical use. I adapted the method to work in a different imaging region, accessible on standard glass slides used in clinics, and the machine learning algorithm still proved successful—It even potentially highlighted areas previously unidentified by a histopathologist.
The results suggested that combining infrared imaging techniques with machine learning could provide patients with clearer answers faster than current methods, significantly improving both outcomes and experience. I thoroughly enjoyed applying the coding and imaging skills that I’d learnt over the years to such an important topic.
Throughout my fourth year, I was involved in interdisciplinary research, applying my Physics skills to the medical sector—something I had never even considered possible in the early days of my degree. But physicists have skills in demand in so many areas! I think it’s really exciting that you get to use all the skills you’ve learnt to contribute to frontier research in your final year.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
When applying for internships and graduate roles, I often worried about being rejected or felt I wasn’t what they were looking for—sometimes to the point of not applying at all. The advice “The worst they can say is no!” was invaluable during those times. It encouraged me to put myself forward and helped me reframe the whole process: I began to see every application as a learning opportunity, regardless of the outcome. If one didn’t work out, I was gaining experience and insight to bring to the next one.
Any advice you’d like to share?
My advice would be to measure success against your personal growth—comparison is the thief of joy! Take a moment whenever you can to reflect on how far you’ve come, and make sure to celebrate your achievements.
Why are you passionate about STEM?
I’m passionate about STEM because it helps you make sense of the world—and gives you the tools to change it. I loved studying Physics because it teaches you how to approach problems confidently, ask meaningful questions, and come up with creative solutions.
As a woman in science, I’m also really passionate about changing the idea of who “belongs” in STEM. Growing up, I didn’t see many women in Physics—and it turns out a lot of them were there, but they just weren’t talked about! You rarely hear about the women who made huge contributions, and that can make it hard to imagine yourself in that space.
The more we celebrate and share those stories—and the more diverse voices we have in STEM—the better the science, and the better the outcomes. I’m proud to be part of that change and excited to encourage others to get involved too.
Keep up to date with Olivia on LinkedIn.