Organisation Committee
Caroline Müllenbroich
Lecturer
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am a co-chair of the Glasgow committee and an advocate for increased inclusion and diversity in our scientific STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine) community. I am a member of the School’s Juno committee and provide staff support to the Glasgow Women in Physics group. As a member of TIGER in STEMM, a group of UK-based professionals and students who are passionate about improving equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, I helped organise webinar series in physics and chemistry demonstrating how diversity can lead to impact. As a physicist, I develop novel microscopy technology in collaboration with life scientists to help elucidate the workings of electrically active cells like those in the brain or the heart.
Iris Mandragouda
MSci Student
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am in my final year at UofG doing an integrated masters degree in Physics with Astrophysics. I am particularly interested in understanding the Universe and the fundamental questions related to its origin and evolution. I’ve been elected as class representative for two consecutive Honours years, and I am part of the school’s mentoring programme for students. The biggest value I’ve drawn from being a committee member of GWiP, JEDI, and CUWiP is the realisation that I am part of something bigger where everyone belongs. I want to see all people interested in physics of all abilities and backgrounds being able, empowered, and welcomed to fulfil their potential and goals. I have gained so much in the past few years thanks to these societies and conferences. I’ve met many admirable, relatable, and honest people and I’ve built a stronger and more diverse network. I’ve learnt more about intersectionality, unconscious bias, different physics branches and opportunities, and I’ve learnt that it’s okay being unsure when it comes to “career” decision making. Being part of the organising committee of CUWiP 2022 is a way for me to give back and surely the best way to complete my degree. Best wishes to all of you!
Giedrė Astrauskaitė
PhD Student
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am a 2nd year PhD student, working on enhancing multiphoton microscopy methods for functional cardiac imaging. Aside from my research, I take a strong interest in effective pedagogy in STEM as well as making science accessible and inclusive.
Jill Borland
Research and PGR Support Administrator
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am a research and PGR support administrator in the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow. I provide admin support and advice to the CUWiP 2022 Planning Committee.
Sarah Croke
Senior Lecturer
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow, and a theoretical physicist, working on measurements and algorithms harnessing the power of quantum mechanics. I am also chair of the School's Juno committee, which promotes equality and diversity initiatives in the School. Before moving to the University of Glasgow, I co-founded a conference for undergraduate women in Physics in Canada, and am excited to be part of the team bringing CUWiP to Glasgow.
Matilde Dei
MSci Student
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: Straight after high school, I have moved from Italy to the UK to start my Physics undergrad at the University of Glasgow, where I have also decided to remain for my integrated Master. Through my studies, among other things, I have carried out an internship as a data analyst and lab assistant at the International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology (LINV) in Florence.
During my degree years, I have had the chance to meet many incredible female scientists, working in all possible fields of physics, who had managed to excel in their respective fields.
Being a girl studying and working in a strongly male-dominated field, I have found the encounters with such women extremely precious and inspirational.
That is the reason why I believe that CUWiPs are so important. Not only they give all participants the chance to meet incredible scientists with incredible careers, but they also bring together many passionate students who will realise that they are not, and they will never, be alone.
Unity is strength. One for all and all for one.
Fabien Massabuau
Chancellor's Fellow (lecturer)
University of Strathclyde
He/him
Bio: I am currently a Chancellor's Fellow (Lecturer) at the University of Strathclyde, where my group investigates the fabrication and characterisation of emerging wide-bandgap semiconductors for applications such as solar-blind photodetectors. I received his Engineering Diploma from Ecole Centrale de Lyon (2011), MRes in Materials Science from Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 (2011), and PhD from the University of Cambridge (2015) on the nanostructure of InGaN/GaN quantum wells and their impact on light emitting diode performances.
Sarah McCarthy
Student
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am a 5th year MSci Physics student at the University of Glasgow. My current research is within the Optics group, looking into sampling methods for LIDAR imaging. I attended CUWIP 2021, hosted by Southampton, and am so excited to be involved in organising this year's conference in Glasgow. I found attending conference last year really helpful, it was so important to hear the stories of women who had been in my position and connect with other undergraduates from around the country. I hope the attendees this year find the experience as valuable as I did.
Gail McConnell
Professor of Biophotonics
University of Strathclyde
She/her
Bio: My research involves the development of new optical instruments and technologies for cell and tissue imaging: this includes linear and nonlinear optics, new light sources, and new ways of preparing the specimen for imaging that reveals more structural information than the light microscope can normally provide. I have spent my whole career at Strathclyde, and I’ve gone from Physics to Biology and back again. After 15 years in the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences I rejoined the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde in May 2017 where I lead the Physics of Life Sciences Group, a >100-strong group of researchers working at the life-physical sciences interface. I am the current Chair of the Royal Microscopical Society Light Microscopy Committee, as well as co-organiser for a number of national and international conferences. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, and a Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society.
Harriet Watson
PhD student
University of Glasgow
She/her
Bio: I am a 2nd year experimental particle physics PhD student at the University of Glasgow. I attended CUWiP in 2018 at the University of Oxford and found it a very enriching experience where I gained the knowledge and confidence to consider a PhD. My research focuses on precision measurements of rare processes involving top quarks. I work on the ATLAS experiment which is part of the Large Hadron Collider and through my PhD I have had the wonderful opportunity to work and live at CERN, Switzerland, where I am currently based. The campaign for equality and diversity within physics is something I strongly believe in; becoming a member of the CUWiP and Juno committees has allowed me put principles into action within my own institution. I hope all participants can benefit from the wide-ranging programme at CUWiP and meet some fantastic physicists along the way!
Alison Yao
Senior Lecturer
University of Strathclyde
She/her
Bio: I am a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of Teaching in the Department of Physics at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. My research is based upon the generation and applications of structured light, in particular light carrying orbital angular momentum. It ranges from understanding the fundamental properties of this light to investigating its behaviour in various nonlinear systems, such as demonstrating the mechanism behind optical rogue waves. This has potential applications in quantum communication, ocean optics, nonlinear beam propagation and interaction with chiral molecules. I founded the Women in Strathclyde Physics Association to support and encourage everyone identifying as a woman to continue on a STEM career path and I am very much looking forward to taking part in CUWiP 2022 in Glasgow.