Canadian Physicist Donna Strickland, who is only the third woman to have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics, will visit Barnard College on Thursday Sept. 11.
Strickland, a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Waterloo, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2018, along with Gérard Mourou, for their work creating ultrashort, high-intensity laser pulses. These laser pulses, known as chirped pulse amplification, have many uses, including medical applications such as corrective eye surgeries and cancer treatment, electronic and materials fabrication, as well as measuring ultrafast scientific processes.
While Strickland is a trailblazer as a female Nobel Laureate physicist – joining the ranks of Marie Curie and Maria Goeppert Mayer – she has said she hopes to normalize women in science.
“I don’t see myself as a woman in science. I see myself as a scientist,” she said, shortly after being awarded the Nobel Prize.
Ahmed Ibrahim, Associate Director of STEM Pedagogy of the Center for Engaged Pedagogy who spearheaded Strickland’s visit, said he hopes Strickland’s appearance at the College will inspire more young women to explore roles in scientific fields.
“Barnard College is not only the premier liberal arts women’s college, it’s also a place where more and more young women come to get their start in STEM-related fields,” Ibrahim said. “With Strickland’s visit, students will have the chance to come face-to-face with one of the most impactful women in physics and I know she will serve as an excellent role model for our students considering a career in science.”
At Thursday’s public lecture, called "Generating High-Intensity, Ultrashort Optical Pulses," Strickland will share insights into her Nobel Prize-winning research. On Friday, Strickland will give a specialized research talk at Columbia University’s Pupin Hall called "Investigation of Multi-frequency Raman Generated Spectra." Those interested in attending Thursday’s event may register here.
Ahead of her visit, Strickland spoke to Barnard College about her life and career.
Q: Since winning the Nobel Prize in 2018 for your work in chirped pulse amplification, what have been some of your favorite ways that your findings have been applied?
A: I don’t know if the applications have changed so much since 2018. In general, I am impressed by the work on attosecond generation that received the Nobel prize in 2023. I am also following the work on laser acceleration and the possible use in radiation treatment.
Q: What made you want to come talk to students at Barnard about your work?
A: I always enjoy talking with students, hopefully inspiring them as they inspire me with their energy and creativity. I have visited many universities in the past few years for this reason. To be truthful, Barnard had an advantage to attract me in that my husband is a New Yorker so my upcoming visit will give us a chance to visit family.
Q: You’ve previously said you want to be seen as a scientist, not a woman in science. However, STEM-related fields continue to be dominated by men. What advice do you have for women entering STEM?
A: I would give the same advice to women as I would to men. You have to know inside you what you really want to do and then do that. If you truly love what you do, you will do it to your best ability and no one else can convince you that you are not doing what you should be doing.
Q: What was your toughest hurdle in conducting your prize-winning research?
A: My biggest hurdle was not getting frustrated with all the projects that didn’t work before finally getting to the one that did work.
Q: What have you been working on since 2018 and what is your next goal?
A: I like to work with my students in the lab on laser development. We are now working on two colour fiber lasers to generate ultrashort intense pulses. In addition to my research, I am working to start two new networks at the University of Waterloo. One is called TRuST for Trust in Research undertaken in Science and Technology. The other is called GEMM, for Global Environmental Measurement and Monitoring.