Joshua Giblin-Burnham

I was born in the 1990s, a decade in which CERN publicised the new World Wide Web project, which would subsequently allow me to research my every curiosity as a child; I was born in the 1990s, a decade in which electrical engineers at Dell created the XPS computers and Sony built the PlayStation, electronics I would deconstruct and reassemble, exploring the components countless times as a child; I was born in the 1990s a decade which saw the discovery of dark matter and dark energy, and first confirmation of black holes, discoveries that would lead me to read books like ‘A Brief History of Time’ and ‘Orders of Time’ igniting my passion for physics. I was born in the 1990s, a decade in which Tax Credits were introduced, which, alongside schemes like free school meals, allowed me to be fed as a child. I was born in the 1990s, twenty years after my grandparents came to the UK from Ireland and from Barbados as part of the ‘Windrush’ generation; they were searching for opportunities and paving a way that no one had seen, without them and these disparate but invaluable factors of the decade of my birth I would not be where I am today.
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And despite having undiagnosed dyslexia, I was the first generation in my family to get A Levels and go to university; 24 years ago, this would have been unimaginable to my grandparent as they immigrated to the UK. 24 years ago those creating the World Wide Web or Dell computers, writing government policy, or discovering dark energy would have had no idea the impact they would have on me. 24 years ago, these would be lofty aspirations for a child with dyslexia and on free school meals. This is why I chose to study physics, not only because it is a passion forged by innumerable factors or achievements to exceed my grandparent’s grandest estimations but because my every achievement highlights the importance of these factors. Hopefully, in 24 years, I can inspire my same curiosity and passion in others with the discoveries and work I do. I hope to be the shoulder that those today will stand on; paving a way that no one had seen; aspiring to achievements no one expected; and, with hope, achieving no matter their background.

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Moreover,  I understand the importance of educational support, and I want to help others gain access to the support I missed. I have worked as a tutor in an after-school club that grants under privilege children these opportunities, and I hope to act as a further role model moving into my research career. Moreover, I want my research to contribute to industries that make a difference. I was born six weeks premature, and my mother and I were at risk as she suffers from the rare autoimmune condition lupus and the blood condition thrombocytopenia. The possibility of impacting medicine research and similar issues to help people like my mother would be a privilege. 

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But why physics? From a young age, I have always enjoyed cooking. This prompted my earliest scientific discovery, as I often wondered what caused cakes to rise. Intrigued by the physical processes involved, my passion for science was kindled. Now that I am both a DPhil student and keen cook, I can only see this as a prophetic moment in my childhood. Ironically, my mother planned to name me Noah instead of Joshua! Although, the name Joshua is the root of the name Jesus so I will leave you to ponder the implications of these coincides. One thing is clear, to me at least, it was these sorts of innocuous discoveries, that there was a more profound explanation for mundane processes, that incepted my curious and questioning perception of the world. From then on, I could often be found deconstructing toys, devising juvenile experiments, and irritating anyone who would listen with nonstop questions (and with 4 siblings there was always someone to listen!). Physics grants us a broader view of our universe and how it works; through experimentation, observation, and mathematics, we derive comprehensive answers to our most incomprehensible questions. This realisation that Physics could sate my natural curiosity developed into my passion for the subject. 

 

And now that I am studying for a DPhil, I have the same curiosity and desire for answers, but only the questions have changed.  Through my master’s project, I worked in the Hoogenboom Lab at the London Centre of Nanotechnology and within my degree I developed interdisciplinary interests in theoretical physics and computational techniques applied to biological/soft matter. I have become intrigued by research into the mechanics and dynamics of biological molecules, alongside emergent phenomena in biology. For example, I am fascinated by shape and morphology in biology. It’s remarkable how the underlying physics of biological processes can control such complex dynamics and how computational efforts can elucidate these mechanisms.​
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My inquisitive nature has proliferated my love of physics throughout my life; from deconstructing electronics at eight years old to university Physics, I am fascinated to uncover my next challenge.