STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Meet Nova Royle! Nova is a fourth-year Physics major who is looking to earn her doctorate and become a professor. She is a current UC LEADS Scholar, one of the most prestigious fellowships awarded by the University of California system. Nova credits undergraduate research at UCLA for giving her a head-start of her future career goals and advises other undergraduate researchers to get excited about their research project! Read Nova’s full interview below.

1. What is your year and major?

I’m a fourth year Physics major.

2. Please list any URC/departmental programs you are/were involved in. How has your experience been in these programs?

I’m in the UC LEADS program here at UCLA. I’ve found the program to be extremely supportive of my career and educational goals, and I’m so happy that I was able to participate!

3. How did you first get involved in your research project? Tell us a bit about the lab you are in and the research you are conducting!

I first became involved in the Regan Research Group after taking a class with the wonderful Professor Regan in the physics department. I did well in the class and reached out afterward, and he was willing to take me on as an undergraduate in his lab. We study the properties of ferroelectricity, and my research project has been to develop novel ways to study a phenomenon known as ferroelectric imprint.

4. How would you describe your research experience at UCLA?

Research at UCLA has been an extremely fulfilling experience for me. There’s something so rewarding about taking the things you learn in classes and actually apply them in real life, pushing at the boundaries of our knowledge along the way.

6. Have you attended a conference before? If so, can you describe your experience on preparation, presenting, etc.?

I have! The most notable conference I’ve attended has been the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CU*iP) in Denver. It was a very rewarding experience, and getting to meet other physics undergraduates from around the country was a great opportunity. I presented a poster at the conference, and it was very fun answering questions and giving my overview of the poster.

6. What is one piece of advice you have for other students thinking about getting involved in research?

My main piece of advice is to try to get excited about the project you’re working on! Think about how your project got to where it is and how it’ll develop in the future. If you’re not excited about your project, the audience you’ll eventually be presenting to won’t be either.

7. What are your future career goals?

I’m graduating at the end of fall quarter and applying to graduate school! Eventually I’d love to earn my doctorate and become a professor, but I’m open to other opportunities!

8. What was the impact of undergraduate research on your career path?

The impact has been so significant I struggle to put it into words. So much of being a strong physicist is contributing to research, and being able to do research as an undergraduate has given me a head-start on my future career goals.