Profile
Katie Knowles
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About Me:
Hi, I’m Katie! I’m a Physics PhD student, and I love all things to do with space, especially planets! I’ve lived in Newcastle for just over two years now, and in my spare time, I enjoy climbing and hiking, as well as cooking and eating food from all over the world. I have been to lots of cool places like Hawaii, Japan, America, Switzerland, Germany, and more!
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My pronouns are:
She/Her
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My Work:
I’m a PhD student at Northumbria University in Newcastle. I’m learning all about the atmospheres of the largest planets in our Solar System! I use the largest telescopes on Earth and in space to look at Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune.
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Read more
The Solar System’s largest planet, Jupiter, has the brightest northern lights in the entire solar system, and they never switch off!
They are made differently to Earth’s northern lights because they are powered by one of Jupiter’s moons, instead of the Sun like at Earth. This moon is called Io, and it is the most volcanic place in the solar system. Io’s volcanoes erupt and spit out a tonne of stuff every second, which moves towards Jupiter and hits its atmosphere, making it glow – the northern lights!
The weird thing is that Jupiter also has other dancing lights and shadows, and we have no idea why… so its my job to find out!
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Education:
I did my GCSEs and A-Levels at John Taylor High School in Burton-upon-Trent (where I’m from). I then did my Foundation Year and Masters degree in Physics with Space Science at the University of Leicester, before I moved to Newcastle where I am currently doing my PhD at Northumbria University.
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Qualifications:
When I was 16, I got 10 GCSEs with grades at A* – B (before the numbers system started) and a BTEC in Health and Social Sciences. Maths was my one B at GCSE so my school wouldn’t let me do Maths at A-Level.
At A-Level, I did Physics (grade C), Chemistry (C) and Biology (B), and then I did Psychology (A) at AS-Level.
At university, I passed my foundation year as the top student and got a first class with honours degree in Physics with Space Science. During my degree, I was awarded the Photonis Prize for Physics and the Airbus Space Science Prize.
In my PhD, I’m in my third year.
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Work History:
My very first job was as a Christmas Elf for Santa’s Grotto at a local garden centre. It was my job to operate the sleigh ride and give kids presents after they met Santa, and I also had to entertain the kids while they had breakfast with Santa in the mornings. When Christmas was over, I worked on the tills.
In High School, I was a House Leader, so I spent a lot of time doing fundraising for charity, including lots of bake sales, and talking to younger students.
When I was at university, I was a Student Ambassador, which meant that it was my job to show people around the Physics department on Open Days, and share personal experiences about studying at Leicester.
Also while at university, I did a 3-month internship at Space Park Leicester where I had to create the small spacecraft they were building on my computer and show how it would fly in space. I did lots of research projects during my degree, and all of them were about Jupiter!
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Current Job:
I am a Physics PhD student, and I study planetary science.
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Employer:
I work with Professor Tom Stallard at Northumbria University.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Enthusiastic planet geek
What did you want to be after you left school?
I wanted to study physics and space science so that I could one day work for NASA. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it will one day happen!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
A voice actress or an athlete.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I love all kinds of music, so it changes every few days!
What's your favourite food?
Cheese. All the cheese. Or anything spicy.
Tell us a joke.
What did Earth say to the other planets in the solar system? You guys have no life.
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