Pasha D.

Why did you choose to study your course at Surrey?

I did my undergraduate in Physics in Surrey and found it to be a very friendly and fun environment to be in. It's familiar, safe and quiet. I am also very comfortable with the people in the Physics department. All the lecturers and fellow students are easy to talk to and are all physics nerds (as well as normal nerds).

What are the best things about Surrey and your course?

The best thing about Surrey, to me, is probably the Physics department. The opportunities that the lecturers give you are incredibly valuable. Any genuine interest in what your studying is immediately awarded with placements or help given to us by said lecturers. Dr Lisa Morrison is one of those people that does whatever she can to help a student. She is a star within the department. Another couple mentions would be Dr Dan Doherty and Dr Wooli Bae, both of whom have given me opportunities and help that made me feel incredibly looked after in the university.

"Studying Medical Physics is also fantastic within itself. It's a science field that, when you study, gives you a clear path to helping people. Understanding all the physics also gives you an understanding on how to improve modern medicine and make it more humane and caring towards patients."

Also the lab sessions are incredible. The experiments we do are so unique and intense. With one being a nuclear decontamination and cleaning! Something very very few people in physics will have the opportunity to do.  

What are the best things about life here as a postgraduate student?

I find it easy to be myself with my community of people on campus. The variety of people is especially interesting this year however. My undergraduate class certainly had diversity, but my current class is filled with international students. It's been very enjoyable mingling with international students, as it was a group of people in the university that I just never managed to find ways to interact with consistently. Considering I also partially grew up in Iraqi Kurdistan, it's comforting to talk to people who share that experience of growing up in non-western countries.

What are your career plans?

Pursing a PHD in Medical Physics or becoming a Clinical Scientist.

What advice do you have for students thinking of doing this course?

Come into this course with a general previous idea of Medical Physics and get ready for the intensity of the Nuclear Physics lab sessions. They're incredibly fun and mildly scary (which makes it more fun).