Profile
Philip Moriarty
My CV
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Education:
St Macartan’s Secondary School, Monaghan, Ireland (1980-1985); Dublin City University (1985-1993)
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Qualifications:
BSc, PhD
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Work History:
Following my PhD at Dublin City University, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Nottingham (1994-1997). Then a lecturer at Nottingham. Then a Reader at Nottingham. And then, since 2005, a professor. At, errmm, Nottingham.
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Current Job:
Professor of Physics
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I’m a Professor of Physics at the University of Nottingham. Alongside teaching undergraduates, I manage a research group which focuses on imaging and controlling not only individual atoms and molecules, but single chemical bonds. You can find out about the research we do by taking a look at these videos, from the Sixty Symbols YouTube channel:
Sixty Symbols is just one of a number of science- and maths-dedicated channels from the talented and prolific video-maker, Brady Haran). Working with Brady has allowed me to connect with lots of people who share my interest in physics (and science in general).
I also blog quite a bit for the Institute of Physics’ physicsfocus project on a variety of topics.
Although I don’t share my infamous namesake‘s fascination with the binomial theorem, in my spare time I enjoy exploring the relationships between mathematics/physics and music.
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My Typical Day:
There isn’t a typical day!
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Every year I visit my children’s primary school to give a talk on what it’s like to be a scientist. Here’s a list of some of the things I tell them I do:
Teach
Write. A lot. Papers, reports, books, blog posts, articles…
Give lectures and talks.
Do experiments.
Analyse the results of experiments.
Supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Travel. (I’m writing this “I’m A Scientist…” profile from a hotel room in Prague.)
Invent (and sometimes build) things.
Apply for funding. (Lots of time spent on this.)
Make videos.
Write blog posts and articles.
Set and mark exams. Mark coursework.And, most importantly,…
Try to understand how Nature works.
Play. (This is essential for scientific research). -
What I'd do with the prize money:
Put the money towards funding the development of a computer game based on our research (MekNano) or a video for a physics-inspired rock song.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Too. Much. Coffee.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes, quite a bit. Generally in Religion class. I was an atheist at a Catholic school (which had previously been a seminary). Not a match made in heaven…
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Rush
What's your favourite food?
Curry. Madras.
Tell us a joke.
Did you hear about the girl who got cooled to absolute zero? She’s OK now. [Ouch. Sorry.]
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