Hi! I'm Nell
Particle theorist ● Violin bowmaker
Physics
Research
I did my undergrad at MIT from 2014 - 2018, and my PhD at Berkeley from 2018 - December 2024. My primary research interests are in thermal field theory, non-perturbative physics, and dark matter + baryogenesis.
In the latter part of my PhD, I became focused on developing mathematical methods for non-perturbatively calculating false-vacuum decay rates in the early universe, which is relevant for a wide range of strongly-interacting field theories. The most complete version of this question appears in the final chapter of my graduate dissertation, Phase transitions in the early universe.
Teaching
Teaching has always been one of my favourite parts of physics. I first started teaching in high school, when I set up a program for older students to tutor younger students in math.
At MIT, I had the chance to be an undergrad TA for 8.13: Junior Lab (aka JLab), the awesome undergrad experimental physics lab class.
At Berkeley, I taught a number of courses, ranging from intro mechanics and E+M to the advanced experimental lab and analytic mechanics.
Outreach + mentorship
At MIT, I had the chance to be part of the Physics Department working group for several years, during which we worked to improve aspects of the department culture. One of the results of that time was the department’s Code of Conduct.
At Berkeley, I was part of IGenSpectrum (Identity and Gender Spectrum, pronounced eigenspectrum), which aimed to foster community among queer members of the department.
Violin bowmaking
Post-PhD, I spent the last year and a half or so in Chimacum, Washington apprenticing with Charles Espey in violin bow-making.
While there I played with Charles and another bowmaker and fiddler extraordinaire Joe Fulton in our old-time band the ‘celerators (we had a tendency to ‘celerate).
Fun
Sailing
I’ve raced small boats (lasers, FJ’s etc.) since I was a kid.
MIT: college sailing team
Port Townsend, Washington: coached the local high school sailing team
Banjo
Frailin’
Making stuff
Woodworking, vintage audio, boat design, etc.