Jessamyn Fairfield (born 13 October 1984) is an American physicist who researches biocompatible nanomaterials and neuromorphic devices at NUI Galway.
Jessamyn Fairfield | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 13 October 1984 (age 39) |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania University of California Berkeley |
| Employer | NUI Galway |
Early life and education edit
Fairfield earned a BA in physics and applied math at the University of California Berkeley in 2005, before an MSc and PhD in physics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011.[1]
Research and career edit
After her PhD, Fairfield joined Trinity College Dublin as a research fellow.[2] Her research focuses on nanomaterials, examining the optoelectronic properties of nanocrystals and nanowires.[1] She is interested in neuromorphic materials, whose function mimics the synaptic connection of the brain.[3] Alongside publishing in academic journals, she is a regular contributor to the popular science magazine Physics World.[4][5][6]
In 2018, Fairfield completed a residency program in the Arctic Circle, where she worked on a project on the effects of climate change on humans.[7][8] In 2019, she participated in the Homeward Bound leadership development program and Antarctic expedition during which she also studied climate change.[8][9]
Public engagement edit
Fairfield was the lead writer at DARTofPhysics, a campaign prompted a citywide discussion about physics through a series of adverts on public transport.[10] In 2015, she joined Dublin's City of Physics program, acting as a blog editor and taking over management of Bright Club.[7][11][12] She trains speakers and funds the initiative through Science Foundation Ireland.[13] In 2016, she gave the Institute of Physics Summer Session, bringing researchers together with live music, to explore electronics and the brain.[14] Fairfield brought Soapbox Science to Galway in 2017, bringing women in science to public spaces to talk about their research,[15] and returned to organize its 2018 and 2019 events.[16][17]
She is the science reporter for Newstalk's radio show "Futureproof".[18] She gives regular public talks as well as appearing in newspapers and on television.[19][20][21] In December 2017 she spoke at TEDxTUM in Munich.[22]
Awards edit
- 2017 – Institute of Physics Mary Somerville Medal[23][24]
- 2013 – Institute of Physics Early Career Communicator Award[25]
References edit
- ^ a b "Dr Jessamyn Fairfield". NUI Galway. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Career Insights – Jessamyn Fairfield – Postdoctoral Research Fellow". careersportal.ie. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ Fairfield, Jessamyn A. (2018). "Nanostructured Materials for Neural Electrical Interfaces". Advanced Functional Materials. 28 (12): n/a. doi:10.1002/adfm.201701145. ISSN 1616-3028. S2CID 103817158.
- ^ Mayor, Louise (1 March 2017). "Coding and computing: the March 2017 issue of Physics World is out now". Physics World. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ Fairfield, Jessamyn (2017). "Smarter machines". Physics World. 30 (3): 33–36. Bibcode:2017PhyW...30c..33F. doi:10.1088/2058-7058/30/3/36. ISSN 2058-7058.
- ^ "Drndić Lab: Drndić lab alum Jessamyn Fairfield on 'Smarter Machines'". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ a b Buckley, Dan (15 July 2017). "Stand-up scientist uses comedy to popularise physics". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ a b "NUI Galway nanoscientist bound for Antarctica on Women's Leadership mission". The Irish World. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ Mannion, Eleanor (11 November 2019). Climate and Me: Jessamyn Fairfield. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "About | DART of PHYSICS". DARTofPhysics. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ O'Connell, Claire (3 September 2015). "Scientists share the funny side of their research". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ Gorey, Colm (8 April 2015). "Bright Club comedy science night is certainly no exclusive club". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Bright Club Galway". Science Foundation Ireland. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Summer Sessions". Institute of Physics. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "The west's women in STEM to take research to the streets for Soapbox Science". Galway Advertiser. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "Female scientists to take to the streets to talk STEM this weekend for Soapbox Science Galway 2018". Galway Advertiser. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ Varley, Declan (27 June 2019). "Soapbox Science returns to the streets this weekend". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
- ^ "Peak v Pure Performance, Blood of Life & Newsround". Newstalk. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Scientist who sees funny side of physics wins Somerville medal". The Irish Times. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ Bright Club Ireland (28 April 2016). Jessamyn Fairfield – International Women's Day. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "Gal Science: When a Scientist Tries to be Funny". The Toast. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "TEDxTUM 2017". TEDxTUM. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ Hunt, Gordon (10 July 2017). "NUI Galway scientist wins major Institute of Physics award". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "2017 Mary Somerville Medal and Prize". Institute of Physics. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
- ^ "CRANN Postdoc Jessamyn Fairfield wins IOP's 2013 Early Career Physics Communicator Award". CRANN. Retrieved 24 November 2017.