Can you introduce yourself?
I am Marijke Haverkorn, researcher and lecturer in the Astronomy department. After studying Astronomy in Utrecht, I obtained my PhD in Leiden, followed by six years working abroad, including in the United States and Australia. I then returned to the Netherlands for a position at the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). I have been working here since 2011. My research focuses on how stars form from interstellar gas clouds, with particular attention to the influence of magnetic fields on this process. I teach Physics and Astronomy courses, including Mechanics for first-year students and Molecules in Space for third-year students.
Why did you choose to study/work in this field? What makes this field so interesting?
My choice for this field stems from a lifelong fascination with exact sciences, driven by my desire to understand the world. Astronomy particularly attracted me because of its exotic phenomena: curved spaces, exploding stars, and black holes! Fascinating is that these phenomena can be described using the same mathematical and physical principles that we use for everyday phenomena. Today, I find astronomy captivating because of the broad application of various physical principles and the fascinating cosmic phenomena, but also because of the international community and collaboration with passionate colleagues.
What are you currently researching?
My research focuses on the formation of stars from gigantic, turbulent gas clouds that contain magnetic fields. Unlike on Earth, where magnetic fields are barely noticeable in daily life, they have a significant influence in these clouds: they act like elastic bands. They therefore affect how these clouds move and consequently how stars form. I use optical and radio telescopes to map these magnetic fields, to better understand their role in star formation.
What advice do you have for students who are making their study choices?
Choose what you find interesting! And if you're still unsure: visit open days and talk to current students, study advisors, and lecturers to learn more about what different studies entail.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
What I value most about working with students is their new, fresh perspective on topics, both in research and in teaching. I enjoy hearing and discussing students' ideas and ways of thinking; even when they're not (entirely) correct, this often leads to interesting discussions and new directions for improving my research or teaching.