Continuing our series on the latest EW BrightSparks of 2024, we profile Hazel Pumphrey, a UKESF Scholar and a student at the University of Nottingham.
Achievements
Outlining some of her achievements, Hazel told us about the UK Electronic Skills Foundation (UKESF).
During her placement year, she successfully applied for a scholarship through the educational charity. Following an exhaustive application process, she began work at CSA Catapult in Newport as the Embedded Software intern. Here, she quickly integrated onto the Photonics team, we learned. She enjoyed being able to work alongside a team of professionals to research cutting edge photonics technologies.
One of her first tasks was to design a low-frequency modulate-able LASER driver circuit with variable frequency and duty cycles. This introduced her to the world of constant current drivers and the necessary requirements of driving LASERs.
Hazel was also involved in the characterisation of VCSELs, where she effectively tested and collated multidimensional data into results for the catapult’s partners. During these tasks, she shared, she learned a significant amount about the behaviours of photonic devices, and how their function can be changed by a series of input parameters, as well as more practical lab skills such as fiber coupling and proper laser procedures.
Another achievement listed was programming the automation of experimental trials involving Avalanche Photodetectors (APDs) and Single Photon Avalanche Detectors (SPADs).
“I was able to implement both hardware and software safety mechanisms for the temperature control of the detector modules. This helped to prevent catastrophic damage in the case of overheating or driver failure. This objective was delivered under strict deadlines to produce meaningful results in a short timespan.”
Over the course of her placement she was able to program in Python. She created lab toolbox software that would be able to run many types of tests on the lab equipment. This pushed the limits of her programming ability, she told us, and she felt grew an enormous amount in this area. She used this software to aid in characterising VCSELS. And the tools she implemented in software allowed her to analyse data in brand new ways.
Community
In terms of community or STEM support work, Hazel told us it was through the UKESF that she got the opportunity to volunteer at several outreach activities.
These included, for example, teaching young children about electricity and electronics – using simple circuit kits – at the Cardiff Science Festival.
Hazel also volunteered at the TeenTech outreach day in Cardiff. For this event, she was showing teenagers what skills serve tech industries. And also what sort of jobs are available in the sector.
She told us she ended her time at these events with a sense of pride that she may have positively impacted the paths of many of these young children.
Congratulations to Hazel Pumphrey!
See also: Elektra Awards 2024 – The Winners
