Jessamyn Fairfield

Jessamyn Fairfield
Born	13 October 1984 (1984-10-13) (age 40)
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania University of California Berkeley
Employer	NUI Galway

Jessamyn Fairfield (born 13 October 1984) is an American physicist who researches biocompatible nanomaterials and neuromorphic devices at NUI Galway.

Early life and education

Fairfield earned a BA in physics and applied math at the University of California Berkeley in 2005, before an MSc and PhD in physics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. ^[1] Her PhD dissertation is titled “Memory and Coupling in Nanocrystal Optoelectronic Devices” ^[2]

Research and career

After her PhD, Fairfield joined Trinity College Dublin as a research fellow. ^[3] Her research focuses on nanomaterials, examining the optoelectronic properties of nanocrystals and nanowires. ^[1] She is interested in neuromorphic materials, whose function mimics the synaptic connection of the brain. ^[4] Alongside publishing in academic journals, she is a regular contributor to the popular science magazine Physics World . ^{[5] [6] [7]}

In 2018, Fairfield completed a residency program in the Arctic Circle, where she worked on a project on the effects of climate change on humans. ^{[8] [9]} In 2019, she participated in the Homeward Bound leadership development program and Antarctic expedition during which she also studied climate change. ^{[9] [10]}

Public engagement

Fairfield was the lead writer at DARTofPhysics, a campaign prompted a citywide discussion about physics through a series of adverts on public transport. ^[11] In 2015, she joined Dublin's City of Physics program, acting as a blog editor and taking over management of Bright Club. ^{[8] [12] [13]} She trains speakers and funds the initiative through Science Foundation Ireland. ^[14] In 2016, she gave the Institute of Physics Summer Session, bringing researchers together with live music, to explore electronics and the brain. ^[15] Fairfield brought Soapbox Science to Galway in 2017, bringing women in science to public spaces to talk about their research, ^[16] and returned to organize its 2018 and 2019 events. ^{[17] [18]}

She is the science reporter for Newstalk's radio show "Futureproof". ^[19] She gives regular public talks as well as appearing in newspapers and on television. ^{[20] [21] [22]} In December 2017 she spoke at TEDxTUM in Munich. ^[23]

Awards

• 2017 – Institute of Physics Mary Somerville Medal ^{[24] [25]}
• 2013 – Institute of Physics Early Career Communicator Award ^[26]

References

1. "Dr Jessamyn Fairfield". NUI Galway . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
2. Fairfield, Jessamyn (12 December 2011). "Memory and Coupling in Nanocrystal Optoelectronic Devices".
3. "Career Insights – Jessamyn Fairfield – Postdoctoral Research Fellow". careersportal.ie. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
4. Fairfield, Jessamyn A. (2018). "Nanostructured Materials for Neural Electrical Interfaces". Advanced Functional Materials . 28 (12): n/a. doi:10.1002/adfm.201701145. ISSN   1616-3028. S2CID   103817158.
5. Mayor, Louise (1 March 2017). "Coding and computing: the March 2017 issue of Physics World is out now". Physics World . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
6. Fairfield, Jessamyn (2017). "Smarter machines" . Physics World . 30 (3): 33–36. Bibcode:2017PhyW...30c..33F. doi:10.1088/2058-7058/30/3/36. ISSN   2058-7058.
7. "Drndić Lab: Drndić lab alum Jessamyn Fairfield on 'Smarter Machines'". University of Pennsylvania . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
8. Buckley, Dan (15 July 2017). "Stand-up scientist uses comedy to popularise physics". Irish Examiner . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
9. "NUI Galway nanoscientist bound for Antarctica on Women's Leadership mission". The Irish World . 2 October 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
10. Mannion, Eleanor (11 November 2019). Climate and Me: Jessamyn Fairfield. Raidió Teilifís Éireann . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
11. "About | DART of PHYSICS". DARTofPhysics. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
12. O'Connell, Claire (3 September 2015). "Scientists share the funny side of their research". The Irish Times . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
13. Gorey, Colm (8 April 2015). "Bright Club comedy science night is certainly no exclusive club". Silicon Republic . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
14. "Bright Club Galway". Science Foundation Ireland . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
15. "Summer Sessions". Institute of Physics . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
16. "The west's women in STEM to take research to the streets for Soapbox Science". Galway Advertiser . 22 June 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
17. "Female scientists to take to the streets to talk STEM this weekend for Soapbox Science Galway 2018". Galway Advertiser . 5 July 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
18. Varley, Declan (27 June 2019). "Soapbox Science returns to the streets this weekend". Galway Advertiser . Retrieved 1 January 2021.
19. "Peak v Pure Performance, Blood of Life & Newsround". Newstalk. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
20. "Scientist who sees funny side of physics wins Somerville medal". The Irish Times . 11 July 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
21. Bright Club Ireland (28 April 2016). Jessamyn Fairfield – International Women's Day . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
22. "Gal Science: When a Scientist Tries to be Funny". The Toast . 24 October 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
23. "TEDxTUM 2017". TEDxTUM. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
24. Hunt, Gordon (10 July 2017). "NUI Galway scientist wins major Institute of Physics award". Silicon Republic . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
25. "2017 Mary Somerville Medal and Prize". Institute of Physics . Retrieved 24 November 2017.
26. "CRANN Postdoc Jessamyn Fairfield wins IOP's 2013 Early Career Physics Communicator Award". CRANN . Retrieved 24 November 2017.