Marion Cromb

Can you tell us a bit more about your background?

My physics background is in quantum optics, and I did my PhD at the University of Glasgow in experimental physics, where I investigated how rotating reference frames can affect things like quantum entanglement.
I’m currently a postdoctoral researcher in experimental physics at the University of Southampton, where I try and turn absorbing objects into amplifiers by spinning them under the right conditions. My research is motivated more broadly by trying to understand the deep mystery of how quantum physics and general relativity interact, through fundamental physics experiments mostly using rotation.

How did you get into physics?

I grew up in the UK at a time when physics and astronomy were the focus of high-profile television shows, such as Professor Brian Cox's 'Wonders of the Solar System', which inspired me and many others across the UK to study physics. Physics appealed to me because it offered a way to understand how things work, even to uncover the mechanisms underlying the entire universe. Plus, I saw it as a more reliable career path compared to my other passion — drawing, haha!
 

What are some of the challenges one can face as a physicist in your field?

One of the biggest challenges is staying at the forefront of the field. Working at the intersection of different areas requires being on top of many different physics topics, with new academic papers being published daily. Keeping up with the latest research is critical but also quite demanding. You constantly need to read, synthesize, and integrate new findings into your understanding and experimental ideas, which can sometimes feel like a never ending race.

 

What advice would you give to the next generation?

You don’t necessarily need to be a maths genius to succeed in physics—that’s a common misconception. What you really need is motivation, a passion for experimentation and the ability to come up with new ideas. Breakthroughs in physics are often about curiosity and creativity just as much as about calculations. Focus on these and on understanding the underlying concepts the maths describes, and you’ll find yourself well-equipped to explore the field.

Thank you Marion :)