"In research, you interact with others and learn more by exchanging ideas."
Ayesha is an I-Form researcher based at NUI Galway.
Growing up
Do you remember what you wanted to be (when you grew up) when you were 5 years old?
I wanted to be a doctor.
At age 10?
The same.
Age 15?
I wanted to be an engineer.
What hobbies did you have as a teenager?
I was huge fan of watching wrestling, watching cartoons, and reading story books. My favourite wrestler was John Cena, and I loved Barbie movies and Tom & Jerry cartoons.
College days
What did you study at college, and where?
I studied Applied Physics at GCU Lahore, Pakistan.
How did you choose the course you applied for?
I decided to study Physics as I liked this more than other subjects. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I chose Applied Physics for my master’s degree.
What is your fondest memory of college days?
Happiness of having free lectures, summer rain, hanging out with my friends, developing photography skills. :D
The present
How would your parents describe what you do?
They say “Our daughter is getting higher studies in Physics.”
How would your friends describe what you do?
They mostly describe it as doing a PhD in Physics. Closer ones generally specify that it is in laser research.
What do you actually do?
I am working on optimizing ways to make materials more conductive, for their better and improved applications. I am working on the inkjet printing of metal nanoparticles, and then sintering them using ultrashort laser pulses, making them more electrically conductive. A laser is a powerful energy source which produces very small beam of light. I am using this narrow beam of laser to modify the material properties.
Why or how did you choose your current role?
I got inspiration from my research group teachers during my master’s. I decided to pursue higher studies during an international conference. I was excited to see the diverse work from other countries and then I thought “I can’t stop; I have to explore more”.
If an alien came to Earth right now and demanded you describe what you do in one sentence, what would you say so that they would understand?
“I am working to improve the sensitivity of my devices, so that I can prepare the feast in advance before my guests arrive from another planet.”
Tell me something cool about being a researcher.
Being a researcher is cool in the way that it’s all about finding answers to ‘what’ and ‘why’. It is fantastic because in research you interact with other researchers and learn more by exchanging ideas.
The future
If we could time travel to 2050 and you had to choose a job to do right now (real or imagined), what would it be?
A music composer, who plays music for her soul (imaginary job)! In the real world, I would like to work in the advanced manufacturing sector.