a little light listening by IPIC, funded by Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, formerly Science Foundation
Stewart hails from Scotland and joined CDT PIADS in autumn 2020 having previously completed a BSc in Physics with The Open University, and a Masters degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Glasgow.
In this special feature length episode we dive into the enchanting history of Christmas lights. We are joined by two incredibly distinguished guests: Dr. Niamh Wycherley, a medieval historian and Principal Investigator of a major Irish Research Council project on medieval Ireland, and Jamie Malanowski, a celebrated writer and editor with contributions to The New Yorker, Time, and Vanity Fair. Together, they explore the cultural, historical, and technological journey of Christmas lights—from their medieval symbolism to their transformation into dazzling modern displays. With expert insights, humour, and holiday charm, this episode promises a festive exploration of the lights that brighten our winters. Join our host David McGovern for this fun, Christmas special.
Mahrokh Avazpour was awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions co-fund Sparkle Fellowship in 2022 under the supervision of Prof. Liam Barry. She is working in the Optical Communications laboratory in the School of Electronic Engineering, Dublin City University. Mahrokh’s current focus is on the generation of optical frequency comb using mode locked fibre laser. She has worked as a postdoctoral fellow at University of Guanajuato campus Salamanca in Mexico, designing the passive mode locked laser to improve the soliton spectral compression. In 2020 she took up a lecturing position in the University of Oaxaca in Mexico.
Serene is a final year Ph.D. candidate at Queen's University Belfast, specializing in the dynamic field of photonics and data storage. Serene`s research focuses on the intricate mapping of thermal variations on plasmonic nanostructures utilizing Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM) techniques.
Marcos joined the PhD program in Electronic Engineering with the Radio and Optical Communications Lab at Dublin City University, under the supervision of Prof. Liam Barry and Francisco Díaz in May 2020 graduating with his PhD in July 2024. His current research field includes spectrally efficient modulation for optical communications through fiber and free space. Marcos has also worked on Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNGs) and Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs).
"Someone considering a PhD? Yes definitely go for it. More than a technical degree I think it teaches a lot of things in life."
"If you are interested in doing physics research, even if that's in a company, having a PhD under your belt is a huge boon both personally and career-wise."
"Consider what your motivations are for doing a PhD, not just doing something for the sake of it."
Coming Soon!
In this episode we discuss how the use of a light is helping doctors to understand how the lungs of premature babies are functioning in way that can be done using a harmless light source, can be continuously so you can keep an eye on this at all times and which can help ultimately bring better outcomes for these babies futures. The technique this is all based on is as in Scattering Media Absorption Spectroscopy (GASMAS) and in this podcast we learn more about this novel technique.
In this episode we discuss with Alfredo Carpineti about how light has enabled us to communicate and display images to each other across continents, locate yourself to within a few metres anywhere on earth and to look back in time and see images across the depths of space including black holes which were imaged for the first time in 2019.
In this episode we discuss how light has enabled us to communicate and display images to each other across continents, locate yourself to within a few meters anywhere on earth and to look back in time and see images across the depths of space including black holes which were imaged for the first time in 2019. Find out the answers and much more here!
This special episode celebrates the World Quantum Day, April 14th, and will delve into what Quantum Technologies are, how they will impact our future and the quantum landscape in Ireland.
In this episode we discuss LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging technology. How is LiDAR used in many aspects of everyday life including self-drive vehicles, land mapping, meteorology or looking back in time at how ancient civilizations lived? Find out the answers and much more here!
