On today's episode we are interviewing my friend from undergraduate physics, Edward Benavides. Edward graduated a year before I did, holding the Society of Physics Student's presidency just before my term. Edward is now a Physics PhD candidate at the University of Massachussetts, Lowell. This conversation is widespanning from his background and untraditional trajectory to get to where he is today, as well as exploring some of the incentives behind Teaching Assistantships, and briefly how we could hope to probe the supernatural with physics. Check out the episode notes for timestamps of the conversation, as well as the links to give us a follow.
Bookclub
Our first assigned reading is: "Conscious: A Brief Guide to the Fundamental Mystery of the Mind" By Annaka Harris, you can find a copy to purchase here: Amazon
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Rough Timestamps
Intro: 00:00:00 - 00:04:30
Background (First scientist in family): 00:08:15
Journey before physics (psychology, medical doctor):
00:08:30 - 00:14:30
Dropping in on engineering classes, switching majors: 00:14:45 - 00:18:45
Going back to community college after “graduating” (choosing physics):
00:19:15 - 00:22:30
Physics Tutoring Job: 00:24:15 - 00:25:30
CSULB: 00:26:15
Why was psychology a bad fit? : 00:27:30 - 00:34:45
Starting LB physics: 00:34:45
Finding Graphene: 00:36:30 - 00:39:15
CSULB SPS (presidency): 00:39:30 - 00:41:30
Research and its culture: 00:42:15 - 01:01:15
(Mentor in a coma: 00:55:00)
(Hazing: 00:57:30)
Long Beach vs UML (and Knoxville) culture: 01:01:30 - 01:32:45
Physics Relies on engineering: 01:32:45 - 01:43:30
Why go to UMass Lowell? : 01:46:30 - 01:53:30
Getting started with research: 01:54:00 - 01:59:30
Qualifying Exam: 01:59:30 - 02:11:45
Family’s Feelings Now: 02:13:15 - 02:23:00
Irene’s BA time: 02:23:30 - 02:29:30
Csulb Memories: 02:32:30 - 02:34:30
Unhappy during 20’s: 02:38:30 - 02:41:30
Finished Psychology?: 02:43:15 - 02:45:00
Psycho physics?: 02:45:00 - 02:49:30
Book Club (Conscious): 02:50:30 - 02:53:30
Ghosts (using radar) and Bigfoot: 02:53:30 - 03:01:30
Radar in tech: 03:01:30 - 03:07:30
Final Questions (goal after phd, what makes a perfect mentor): 03:08:30 - 03:15:15
Title: 03:20:45
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