TRIUMF's commitment to training the next generation of leaders through its research, education, and outreach program is paying off for two young physics students this summer. Sen Mei of Penticton, BC, and Darien Niamir of West Vancouver, BC, have both secured summer co-op positions at TRIUMF - a rare achievement for students fresh out of their first year of university. Sen and Darien were first introduced to the laboratory a year ago through the TRIUMF High School Fellowship Program-a 6-week research experience awarded every year since 2004.
After getting a taste for the laboratory last summer and eager for more, both Sen and Darien applied for summer student positions at TRIUMF. TRIUMF Fellowship winners are chosen not only for exceptional academic achievement but also for showing promise for future outstanding achievement. By securing positions that would normally be granted to second and third-year physics students, Sen and Darien have lived up to the potential that the Fellowship panel perceived in both of them. Sen has returned to work with the TRILIS group with Jens Lassen and Darien is now working under the supervision of Ritu Kanungo on TUDA: the TRIUMF-UK Detector Array.
I recently had the chance to sit down with these two promising young students to talk about their Fellowship experience and its impact on their future academic and career aspirations. Here's what they had to say:
| 1. What was the TRIUMF Fellowship experience like? Sen: The High School Fellowship was a real eye-opener to the world of science and research. It provided me with first-hand experience of what a working-research environment is like and how people work within that environment. Darien: The Fellowship was my first real summer job experience so I had a lot to learn. I was interested in physics in high school, but coming to work at TRIUMF every day made it much more real to me. I got a taste of what it would be like to have a career at a research lab. 2. What did you enjoy the most about your time at TRIUMF? Sen: The hands-on experience was incredible; getting to build parts of the experiment I was working on was great because I felt like I was actually contributing to an essential part of the project. Darien: Just being around the lab, being exposed to a new environment and a potential future career path was really enjoyable. As a student interested in the sciences it was fascinating for me to have the opportunity to familiarize myself with new experiments and the high-tech equipment around one of Canada's top research facilities. 3. What impact did the Fellowship experience have on your academic and/or career path(s)? Sen: I think for many students, working at TRIUMF most importantly gives them the answer as to whether physics is an ideal career for them, or even discover which branch of physics they would go into. Before I took part in the TRIUMF Fellowship, I was unsure if physics was for me; now I think I have a much better understanding of the things I will enjoy if I go into experimental physics. So the Fellowship didn't really change the path I was heading on but made me more confident in my choice of study. Darien: Before the Fellowship I was sure I was interested in pursuing theoretical physics, but now I think I am more interested in experimental, hands-on physics. 4. Where did your studies take you after your summer at TRIUMF? Sen: After the Fellowship I went to the University of British Columbia in the fall and studied Physics and Computer Science. Darien: I completed my first year of studies at Stanford University in Physics and I hope to focus more on Engineering Physics in the future. | 5. How did having a real research experience affect your first year of studies? Sen: The hands-on research experience really improved my critical thinking and problem solving skills which helped me transition from high school physics to the more intense physics concepts I encountered in my first year. The experience I gained from the Fellowship in terms of project management and meeting deadlines also helped me to better manage the increased workload of university that I wasn't used to in high school. Darien: The experience most definitely helped me get through my physics courses this year. The courses I took were pretty tough. They required a higher understanding of analyzing situations and applying the correct thought process-abilities I was lacking after high school but began to develop during the Fellowship. TRIUMF was helpful in the way it allowed me to get closer to obtaining this higher thought process by having me work and attempt to understand the complicated experiment and apparatus, and how to analyze results. 6. So you're back again for more - what influenced your decision to return to TRIUMF as a summer student? Sen: In my opinion, TRIUMF is the ideal summer workplace for a student studying physics and my positive experience here last year definitely influenced my decision to apply for a position this summer. I was uncertain as to whether I had a chance as a first-year student, but thought I would at least give it a try, and I got a position! Darien: I also had a great time last year and wanted to work somewhere close to home after being away at school for the year. I also think the people here will be great resources for helping me determine whether to pursue theoretical or experimental physics. The scientists working here have such diverse backgrounds, experiences, and specialties, that I am sure I can find some direction. 7. Any advice for future High School Fellowship students? Sen: Don't be afraid to make mistakes, ask lots of questions, and really do your best to make the most of your experience here. Darien: Take initiative, and like Sen said, go out of your way to ask questions - you never know what you'll learn...or the mistakes you'll avoid. |
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Sen Mei (left) and Darien Niamir (right) on the job at TRIUMF this summer.
Thank you to Darien and Sen for taking the time for an interview and best of luck with your projects this summer!
-- Meghan Magee, Communications Assistant