Testimonials
We learn the role science has in society and where opportunities and problems lie.
- Previous education
- Bachelor's Physics and Astronomy
- Programme
- Science in Society
- Country of previous education
- Netherlands
What do you like about the programme and why?
What I like most about this programme is that it combines theoretical knowledge and socio-scientific problems that we as a society deal with. We learn the role science has in society and where opportunities and problems lie. During the projects we had to do, I was able to choose topics that relate to my background in physics and astronomy, which made this programme especially suitable.
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
Although my year was mostly online, we still managed to create a fun, safe and pleasant environment for both teachers and students. The teachers are always eager to help and listen.
How has the programme challenged you?
For me, it has challenged me by coming up with my own ideas, opinions and projects. We are given a lot of freedom for this, which can be challenging, but refreshing.
How is the supervision within the study programme?
I feel like the teachers were always available and approachable to help you with your projects and classes. Besides, there are student advisors who are there for you if you are struggling with something.
What are your plans once you have received your degree?
I would love to work in the field of science communication and participation. This could be either in the field of entertainment and informal education (museums, festivals, television) or in governance and policy.
Why did you choose for the Radboud University?
The programme in Nijmegen is a little different from most science communication programmes, which I think is a very positive attribute. It is broader than just science communication, which was great for a person like me who did not yet know what their interests are.
What do you like about Nijmegen?
Nijmegen is such a nice city to live in as a student. It is small enough to feel like a town, yet big enough such that there is always something to do. Besides, it is surrounded by nature, which I am always keen on visiting.
Are you involved with a study association? If so, in what way?
I have been an active member of the physics and astronomy study association for 6 years. Here, I help organise events, and I capture them with my camera.
Which information activities do you find valuable and why?
What helped my most are open days and programmes where you join a current student for a day. Then you can ask all your questions and truly see what it is like to be a student in a certain place.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
If you know which subject interest you, but you are choosing between places, try to read in on courses that are offered by the various programmes. Chances are that you find some more interesting than others.
In astronomy, there is a lot we don't know. It's precisely this aspect that makes it exciting for me.
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
“When people think of an astronomer, they often imagine a passionate scientist, peering through his telescope, unravelling the secrets of the infinite space,” says Gijs Nelemans with a laugh. “Pure romance. The reality is that I direct my gaze at the starry sky through a computer screen. And that starry sky I look at is made up of data that I interpret.”
Gijs Nelemans comes from a 'teaching nest,' and physics was his favourite subject in high school. “I saw a career as a physics teacher as very appealing. After high school, I went to the university in Utrecht. There, I pursued a combined study of physics and astronomy. Soon, I found astronomy much more interesting.”
Unknown and Exciting Territory
“Astronomy is the application of physics in space. In physics, we already know a lot. And what we suspect and want to prove can typically be investigated in a controlled environment through experiments,” explains Nelemans.
“In astronomy, there is a lot we don't know. It's precisely this aspect that makes it exciting for me. You are stepping over a boundary in knowledge, working in unknown territory.”
Research on Binary Stars
After his Master's in Utrecht, Gijs Nelemans completed his PhD in Amsterdam, followed by a postdoc in Cambridge and at Radboud University. He has been working here since 2006. In 2017, he was appointed Professor of Gravitational Wave Astrophysics.
“I research binary stars. A binary star consists of two stars that orbit around a single centre of gravity. There are countless binary stars in the universe. Not all these stars are the same. By comparing them, we want to chart the evolution of these stars – how they form, how they exchange mass, what that does to the environment, and how they sometimes explode.”
Building Computer Models
“I haven't looked through a telescope in years,” says Gijs Nelemans. “For my research, I use data from scientists who do collect data through telescopic observations. This data forms the basis for building computer models. Through such a model, you try to find out what you don't yet know.”
The European LISA Project
In astronomy, very finely tuned equipment measures what happens in space, for example, through light and radio waves.
“In the LISA project, we will also collect information, but in a completely different way. From space, we will measure so-called gravitational waves, allowing us to study many objects, including binary stars, uniquely. This can be beautifully used to test the models.”
Making New Discoveries
LISA is a European project. The acronym stands for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. “From 2035, three spacecraft will fly around the sun, trailing behind Earth. By continuously measuring their distances from each other with laser beams, they will capture gravitational waves from the universe. It's a new technique. With LISA, we expect to make many new discoveries.”
Scientific Research
Gijs Nelemans is one of the coordinators in Europe, reaching out to scientists to participate in the project. What we concretely gain from LISA is a question he often gets.
“It’s purely scientific, discovering what you don’t yet know. At the same time, it’s a huge challenge for technological companies to design and build such spacecraft. These technologies will eventually find their applications in other fields.”
This interview first appeared on TechGelderland. Original text: Huub Luijten. Photos: Linda Verweij.
It’s fascinating how you can better understand and potentially improve the world with physics.
- Previous education
- Physics and Astronomy
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
- Country of previous education
- Germany
- Study start date
The balance between fundamental scientific research and its societal benefits is very important to Caroline Bauer (23). As a child, she had a microscope because she was curious about how nature and technology work. "It’s fascinating how you can better understand and potentially improve the world with physics. What we discover through our research are things that already exist in nature. It’s up to us physicists to investigate and make these findings understandable."
Applying Scientific Research into practice
Caroline Bauer is motivated by the fact that the scientific experiments she conducts yield practically applicable results. She is a fifth-year Physics and Astronomy student at Radboud University and is currently doing her master’s internship at the Institute of Molecules and Materials.
"With the results of our research, we can understand how to make data storage faster and more efficient. This is important because data centres currently use around 5 percent of the world’s energy, and that number is increasing. If we do nothing, we will eventually hit a limit."
Lasers and Magnets
In a traditional hard drive, bits are stored by flipping a magnet locally. "For a zero, for example, the north pole is up, and for a one, the south pole is up", explains Caroline Bauer. "Our goal is to understand how to make this switching process much faster and simultaneously more energy-efficient".
In her experiments, magnets are ‘shot at’ with laser beams. Magnetic materials consist of many small magnets, which are effectively oscillated back and forth by the lasers. "We create oscillations with the lasers: waves with which we try to flip the small magnets."
Experiments Inspire New Technology
By experimenting with lasers and magnets, you discover properties that can improve data storage. Caroline Bauer says, "With this research, we aim to determine the fundamental limits of future data storage technologies. The goal is not to develop a new hard drive but to inspire the industry to create new technologies that push the current boundaries of data storage."
Radboud University Nijmegen
Caroline Bauer was born in Eschau, Germany, and attended high school in Aschaffenburg. At school, she developed her interest in physics. "I was looking for answers to questions like: what are the building blocks of the universe?" Her choice of Radboud University in Nijmegen felt quite obvious: "I spoke with someone from Radboud University at an open day and noticed that it is a university with a very pleasant atmosphere." After visiting the university, she felt right at home at Radboud.
Bachelor in Physics and Astronomy
The bachelor’s degree in Physics and Astronomy is a foundational programme in physics, observes Caroline Bauer. "The physical laws you learn can be applied in various fields, such as materials science, high-energy physics, astronomy, and neurophysics. The latter involves the role of physics in brain research. In high-energy physics, you learn about the smallest particles in the universe: the particles within atoms."
Theory Becomes Reality in the Lab
Caroline Bauer is also pursuing her master’s degree in Physics at Radboud University, specialising in Physics of Molecules and Materials. This programme is expected to be renamed Quantum Matter starting in 2025. "Astronomy is very interesting, but I am more involved in other subjects. I have specialised in materials science, which is a very important field, also for industry."
Seeing the theories you develop work in reality gives a physicist great satisfaction. "Formulas alone are not proof that something works. That proof only comes in when you conduct experiments in the lab and measure what happens there."
Research and Teaching
Caroline Bauer plans to apply for a PhD position in her department. "This will allow me to continue with research after graduation and see if I find it interesting in the long term over the next four years. I would also enjoy teaching at the university. I am exploring the available opportunities step by step."
This testimonial previously appeared on techgelderland.nl.
You can pick a unique programme!
- Previous education
- Gymnasium (Bernardinuscollege)
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
- Study start date
- Study end date
Why did you choose Radboud University?
The Radboud campus had a cosy, snug atmosphere. This really appealed to me. Furthermore, Radboud has a lot of electives, in my case I filled this with maths subjects. So you can pick a unique programme!
How did you experience the transition from high school to university? How did the university/programme assist you with this transition?
Physics at university is very different from high school. Fortunately, there are some tutors who help, by explaining the material in an accessible way.
What do you like about the Bachelor's programme and why? How has the programme challenged you?
I really like the theoretical aspect of the course. You go in search of the most fundamental way to describe events. For this, you need a lot of mathematics. This makes it challenging, but mostly a lot of fun!
What do you think about the atmosphere in class?
The atmosphere is very good and informal. Everyone (lecturers, senior-year and fellow students) is happy to help you because of this. Because of this, you don't have to be afraid if you don't understand something the first time.
What are your plans once you have received your Bachelor’s degree?
After my Bachelor's, I want to do an in-depth Master's. This will probably be the Particle and Astrophysics Master's in Nijmegen.
Are you involved with the study association of your programme? If so, in what way?
Yes, I did a year in the study association. I am still active and can be found at activities every week!
What do you like about Nijmegen?
Nijmegen is a small city, I come from a village and therefore I like this. Also, you can be on campus, in town or at a friend's house in 15 minutes by bike.
Did you visit any information meetings at the campus before you signed up for your studies? Did you find them useful and why?
I attended the open day and experience day. Especially the experience day gave me a good idea of the atmosphere in the programme.
What would you advise students when choosing a study programme?
Choose an education where you feel welcome. Don't be afraid that you are not good enough at something, you can always learn it, as long as you like it!
I have always had a fascination for exact sciences because I wanted to understand the world.
- Nationality
- Nederlandse
- Programme
- Physics and Astronomy
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.