Case Study: Dr Juna Sathian
At a glance
Juna is a Photonics Physicist working at Northumbria University. Photonics is the branch of physics that studies light and the technologies that create it. She focuses on laser technology, making beams of light that can be used in many ways. As well as being a senior academic at Northumbria University, Dr Sathian is active in outreach and career talks in STEM, influencing the younger generation’s future.
Juna’s journey into STEM
Juna completed a degree and Masters in Physics before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Nonlinear Optics and Laser Physics at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia.
Her career includes significant postdoctoral research at Imperial College London, where she worked on projects like the room-temperature diamond maser and alexandrite ring cavity lasers.
Juna enjoys the innovative research in laser and maser technology and photonics and the teaching aspect of her job, guiding and inspiring students in physics.
Being able to shape the minds of future scientists and contribute to their educational journey is probably one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
She believes that it is her teaching alongside her research that has helped her to progress in her career.
Masers: microwaves + lasers
A maser is an acronym for microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, which is like a laser but uses microwaves instead of visible light. The downside of masers, Juna says, is that they only work at very cold temperatures. Juna was part of the research team that developed a maser that could operate at room-temperature. This will make masers cheaper and easier to use. Her work helps in making these advanced technologies more practical and useful for everyone.
Juna explains:
This technology should play an important technological role as the next generation of low-cost, high-brightness light sources in a range of scientific, medical and industrial applications.
Juna’s STEM attributes
Juna is curious and actively pursues new knowledge and understanding in the field of Photonics. She is committed as she consistently dedicates effort and focus to her scientific projects. Juna is organised and needs to meticulously plan research activities, ensuring each project progresses efficiently and meets its objectives.
Juna is also creative when she develops innovative solutions in her scientific research. She is logical when she applies methodical and reasoned thinking to analyse complex data in her studies. Juna is collaborative:
I regularly work with colleagues and value their diverse perspectives in our research.
Drawing away
Outside of her work, Juna is a big fan of history. She loves reading about past civilisations and visiting places of historic interest. Juna is passionate about representing her local community and participating in community activities. Juna also enjoys pencil drawing and drew the diagram below showing all different aspects of science and STEM.
Juna’s advice to young people
As someone passionate about STEM, I often advise young people interested in a career in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics to cultivate a sense of curiosity and maintain an open mind. Exploring various fields within STEM to discover what ignites their passion is crucial. I emphasise the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving their goals. I encourage them to actively seek opportunities for learning and growth, not only in academic settings but also through practical experiences that can provide invaluable hands-on knowledge. I also stress the importance of perseverance when faced with challenges, as the path in STEM fields can be demanding and sometimes daunting. Moreover, I highlight the necessity of continuous learning and adapting, as these fields are rapidly evolving. Keeping up with the latest developments and being flexible in learning new skills are key to success in any STEM career.
This case study is featured in our STEM Person of the Week 2024 set. You can download the whole set, which includes a poster of Juna using this link.
