Welcome to 2014 with AWIS DC! This year, we are taking the opportunity afforded by social media to give you a brief “introduction” to all of the AWIS DC officers. We are here to help you, and if you spot us at an AWIS DC gathering, please say hi!
For our first installment, please welcome this year’s President, Soo Kim!
Soo Kim graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a B.S. in Engineering Physics and a M.S. in Physics. Next, she received a M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from Georgia Institute of Technology where she researched the interactions of photons and single Rb atoms for quantum computation applications. After graduation, she joined Intel Corp as a PTD defect metrology engineer where she worked on the development of the Ivybridge microprocessor. After having a taste of private industry, she returned to research as an NRC postdoc at the Naval Research Laboratory to study the interactions of light and refractive indices of different surfaces of microparticles. She is now at the JHU Applied Physics Laboratory where she is an optical physicist in the image exploitation group.
What do you do?
I am an optical physicist at JHU APL. I study how light/lasers can be applied as sensors (both active and passive).
What is your science “story?” What inspired you to become a scientist?
I always thought engineering was “boring” until I took an AP Physics class in high school and immediately fell in love with physics. In college, I found my heart pulled towards quantum physics which led to my passion for atomic/molecular/optical physics. To this day, I am still in absolute awe and amazement in how powerful and extremely versatile light can be.
Why did you decide to get involved with AWIS DC?
There were no AWIS chapters at the universities I had attended. During my tenure at NRL, a close colleague of mine convinced me to join AWIS and run for the board with her. Surprisingly, I got elected to VP of Communications and have been involved with AWIS DC since.
What is one of your favorite things about AWIS DC?
The community of AWIS DC is very refreshing. As a female in a very male-dominated field, I have always found myself surrounded by men without any ways to meet other STEM women. AWIS DC not only gives me an opportunity to meet other women in physics, but in other STEM fields as well.
What new program or event at AWIS DC do you like the most? Why?
The mentoring circles program is probably one of the biggest accomplishments I’ve seen be successful during my time at AWIS DC. I like that it provides a way (“forces”) people to network and develop deeper relationships with other women in AWIS DC.
In your new position, what do you hope you will help AWIS DC accomplish?
I hope to continue the great leadership that AWIS DC has had over the last few years. Through constant communication, I hope that the board will be able to provide more useful and relevant events and opportunities that align with what the members of the chapter need and want.
Tell us something personal about yourself: when did you fall in love with science?
In high school, I found my passion in physics but didn’t know it yet. When I went to college, I was premed (physics major) until I realized one day that going to physics lab made me feel better about myself. While it was hard to give up my 6th grade dream of becoming a surgeon, I realized that physics was my true calling and haven’t looked back ever since.