- #1
thematrix1101
- 5
- 0
Hey guys it would be great if you could take a look at my statement of purpose for a physics PhD program included below. The "Future Work" section at the end is where I talked about the specific program and faculties and how it will be a great fit for me. Any comments, criticism, advice is appreciated!
Being raised in Bangladesh and Italy and eventually moving to the United States, my life has been painted with colorful shades of diversity into a geographical, linguistic, and cultural kaleidoscope. My unique set of circumstances and experiences provide me with a broad spectrum of applicable abilities, which will play an integral role during my future PhD studies in physics.
My dynamic background has enabled me to perceive the world through a multitude of perspectives. This innate understanding of varying viewpoints allows me to recognize patterns and connections that others might overlook, enabling me to tackle challenges from innovative angles. The adaptivity I developed from engaging in three different education systems equips me to seamlessly integrate into a research lab and maintain momentum throughout my program. My diverse upbringing has also fostered an ability to connect effectively with individuals from various backgrounds, a crucial skill in the collaborative world of graduate research. Furthermore, this aptitude for collaboration encourages me to seek out interdisciplinary approaches in my scientific pursuits. I am dedicated to leveraging my global experiences to contribute meaningfully to my research, the broader scientific community, and society as a whole.
Ever since I was a kid, I've been captivated by the exciting worlds of physics, computer science, and engineering. I started coding when I was in sixth grade, spending my middle school years developing video games and devouring popular scientific literature. These experiences fueled my passion for solving complex scientific and technological puzzles through hands-on approaches. As a result, I pursued a degree in physics with the dream of a research-driven career. My goal is to harness fundamental scientific principles to pioneer transformative technologies. As I immersed myself in various ventures during my undergraduate years, I found my path to be quantum science.
Despite the initial setbacks posed by COVID-19 restrictions during my first year of undergraduate studies, I was quick to grasp my first research opportunity once the restrictions were lifted. I collaborated with Prof. [Name] on his machine learning project to deduce equations of motions of mechanical systems from experimentally gathered data. After taking a seminar course on quantum computing, I discovered a profound fascination for the field that seamlessly integrates my core interests and goals. Consequently, I joined Prof. [Name]'s lab where I have been actively contributing to the experimentation and engineering of innovative superconducting quantum information processors ever since.
Superconducting Quantum Systems:. I have optimized the apparatus of the lab through a number of microwave engineering projects, paving the way for more sophisticated experiments and research ventures. These included constructing op-amp driver and logic adder circuits for pulse control, writing Python code to produce appropriate pulses from network analyzer, and building copper microwave filters for high-frequency radiation noise. For my senior Honors thesis project, I am working on the design, simulation and fabrication of graphene-based superconducting quantum devices to explore qubit platforms and study the nature of superconductivity in 2D materials.
NSF REU: To further enhance my research skills, I spent the summer after my junior year participating in [University]'s REU program in condensed matter physics. My project involved using nanofabrication techniques to build 2D van der Waals devices for studying electronic interactions in graphene. I learned how to exfoliate, stack, and fabricate vdW heterostructures, gaining certification in e-beam lithography, reactive ion etching, and metal deposition tools at University of Pennsylvania’s Singh Center for Nanotechnology. I presented a poster on my research at my program’s end-of-summer research symposium and the APS Mid-Atlantic conference.
Physics Lab Assistant: I have been working as a laboratory assistant at my institution’s Physics Lecture Hall, where I assist in the setup and maintenance of physics demonstrations for university lectures. This practical engagement has fostered in me a profound understanding of diverse scientific concepts and enhanced my technical laboratory and hands-on skills.
Broader Impacts: Outside of the lab, I have promoted science awareness and supported the scientific journey of my fellow students. I have participated in physics demonstration shows for the general public and high-school and middle-school students across my state, where I have endeavored to impart a deeper understanding of various physics topics in an entertaining and accessible manner through an array of engaging experiments. As a learning assistant in a physics laboratory course, I collaborated with instructors to supervise and guide students during their physics experiments, helping them understand scientific reasoning and experimental techniques. To assist students at the beginning of their physics studies, I volunteered as a peer mentor for the Society of Physics Students where I advise students on various aspects of succeeding in physics.
Background
Being raised in Bangladesh and Italy and eventually moving to the United States, my life has been painted with colorful shades of diversity into a geographical, linguistic, and cultural kaleidoscope. My unique set of circumstances and experiences provide me with a broad spectrum of applicable abilities, which will play an integral role during my future PhD studies in physics.
My dynamic background has enabled me to perceive the world through a multitude of perspectives. This innate understanding of varying viewpoints allows me to recognize patterns and connections that others might overlook, enabling me to tackle challenges from innovative angles. The adaptivity I developed from engaging in three different education systems equips me to seamlessly integrate into a research lab and maintain momentum throughout my program. My diverse upbringing has also fostered an ability to connect effectively with individuals from various backgrounds, a crucial skill in the collaborative world of graduate research. Furthermore, this aptitude for collaboration encourages me to seek out interdisciplinary approaches in my scientific pursuits. I am dedicated to leveraging my global experiences to contribute meaningfully to my research, the broader scientific community, and society as a whole.
Research Goals and Experiences
Ever since I was a kid, I've been captivated by the exciting worlds of physics, computer science, and engineering. I started coding when I was in sixth grade, spending my middle school years developing video games and devouring popular scientific literature. These experiences fueled my passion for solving complex scientific and technological puzzles through hands-on approaches. As a result, I pursued a degree in physics with the dream of a research-driven career. My goal is to harness fundamental scientific principles to pioneer transformative technologies. As I immersed myself in various ventures during my undergraduate years, I found my path to be quantum science.
Despite the initial setbacks posed by COVID-19 restrictions during my first year of undergraduate studies, I was quick to grasp my first research opportunity once the restrictions were lifted. I collaborated with Prof. [Name] on his machine learning project to deduce equations of motions of mechanical systems from experimentally gathered data. After taking a seminar course on quantum computing, I discovered a profound fascination for the field that seamlessly integrates my core interests and goals. Consequently, I joined Prof. [Name]'s lab where I have been actively contributing to the experimentation and engineering of innovative superconducting quantum information processors ever since.
Superconducting Quantum Systems:. I have optimized the apparatus of the lab through a number of microwave engineering projects, paving the way for more sophisticated experiments and research ventures. These included constructing op-amp driver and logic adder circuits for pulse control, writing Python code to produce appropriate pulses from network analyzer, and building copper microwave filters for high-frequency radiation noise. For my senior Honors thesis project, I am working on the design, simulation and fabrication of graphene-based superconducting quantum devices to explore qubit platforms and study the nature of superconductivity in 2D materials.
NSF REU: To further enhance my research skills, I spent the summer after my junior year participating in [University]'s REU program in condensed matter physics. My project involved using nanofabrication techniques to build 2D van der Waals devices for studying electronic interactions in graphene. I learned how to exfoliate, stack, and fabricate vdW heterostructures, gaining certification in e-beam lithography, reactive ion etching, and metal deposition tools at University of Pennsylvania’s Singh Center for Nanotechnology. I presented a poster on my research at my program’s end-of-summer research symposium and the APS Mid-Atlantic conference.
Physics Lab Assistant: I have been working as a laboratory assistant at my institution’s Physics Lecture Hall, where I assist in the setup and maintenance of physics demonstrations for university lectures. This practical engagement has fostered in me a profound understanding of diverse scientific concepts and enhanced my technical laboratory and hands-on skills.
Broader Impacts: Outside of the lab, I have promoted science awareness and supported the scientific journey of my fellow students. I have participated in physics demonstration shows for the general public and high-school and middle-school students across my state, where I have endeavored to impart a deeper understanding of various physics topics in an entertaining and accessible manner through an array of engaging experiments. As a learning assistant in a physics laboratory course, I collaborated with instructors to supervise and guide students during their physics experiments, helping them understand scientific reasoning and experimental techniques. To assist students at the beginning of their physics studies, I volunteered as a peer mentor for the Society of Physics Students where I advise students on various aspects of succeeding in physics.
Future Work
