Profile

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Vanessa Rodrigues

My CV

  • Education:

    9-12th grade from Abu Dhabi Indian School, U.A.E. Then I moved to India where I completed my Bachelors, Masters and PhD in Photonics.

  • Qualifications:

    Math Olympiads, SATs, DELF (A1), Bachelor of Engineering, GRE (General), TOEFL, Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy

  • Work History:

    I have worked as a secretary, and as a service engineer repairing laptops models of HP, Acer and Samsung, in the United Arab Emirates. I have worked as an Engineer in a High-Power Laser facility fitting special electronics into vacuum chambers for nuclear science applications, in Romania. I now work as a Researcher at an institute, based in Ireland, specialised in light-based research and technology.

  • Current Job:

    Researcher

  • Employer

    Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland

    • About Me

      I doodle, I dawdle. Mostly, learning science is more a hobby. I play badminton, table tennis, and have been known to throw a javelin or two in athletics. I am also an animation nerd.

    • Read more

      By profession, I am an engineer and a physicist. I now work as a Researcher while trying to combine my powers to bridge the understanding between both worlds, and apply it to make a difference in healthcare.

      I enjoy designing and building new devices in a laboratory, and absolutely love working in a team.

      I learnt some Electronics and Communications, then a little about Light, Lasers and Optics. I have engineered designs of lenses that fits on the tip of your finger and work using diffraction of light.  It’s a bit ironic that I used focused light to create a lens to focus light.

       

       

       

       

    • My Work

      I used LASERs to make tiny lenses, to give electrons more energy to punch, and now for applications in biology like in a Fitbit watch.

    • Read more

      Light has its own range of personalities. When it enters a new environment, it tries to adjust and adapt.

      My research group in Biophotonics works on understanding how we can use these adaptations to identify and communicate signals when it is shined on the body. I work on ways to use light to make a tool that can be used to observe and study signal given by the human body.

    • My attributes

    • My Typical Day

      Eat – Chill-Out – Sleep. I discover and learn science in the 8-10 hours of breaks I take in between with creative discussions, spending time in a lab bringing a Frankenstein idea to life and fist-bumping other scientists as we pass each other in the corridor.

    • What I'd do with the prize money

      The fundamentals of STEM are already taught in school. Exposure to practical applications instils confidence in students in what they’ve learnt and inspires them. As an experimentalist, I envision to bring these interactive technology to their classrooms.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        artist and photonics researcher

        What or who inspired you to follow your career?

        Back in school, I loved Steve Irwin. I wanted to be an animal expert and environmentalist just like him. I also loved the Clive Cussler book series. I dreamt of becoming a marine engineer like Dirk Pitt.

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        Veterinarian. I love to spend time with animals.

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I have studied in 4 different schools in 2 countries and that required me to fit-in each time.

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        Work at an animal shelter or clinic

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        George Ezra, Eagles

        What's your favourite food?

        I want to say Soups (Boo! I know), but hands-down it is Cheese balls, FOREVER

        What is the most fun thing you've done?

        I have drawn cartoons of my teachers and friends

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Truth be told, I love my life. I wouldn’t change a thing. But, for kicks and in no particular order, if only 1. Animals could talk. 2. There was more magic in this world. 3. I had The Neuralyzer from Men in Black. #Evil_Laughter

        Tell us a joke.

        Have you even seen my 3 wishes :P

    • Work photos:

      I use my drawing skills to draw cartoons for research and design logos for science events.

      This was the first time I handled a 6-inch diameter lens. I needed both hands to pick it up.

      Wearing cool protective gear and making specialised cables and electrical contacts for vacuum chambers that can be used in laser experiments.

      From my Ph.D. days: Never Stop Inspiring

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