Nuclear Researcher Living More than a Mere Half-Life

U of S student Aravind Ravichandran has always had two passions: physics and societal improvement. Through his local and global research experiences, including involvement in the Let’s Talk Science and Science Ambassador programs, Ravichandran has struck a balance between academic and community ventures, motivating him to hone in on his true calling: using nuclear physics research to advance safety around the globe.

Calibrating for Safety

In winter of 2016/17, Ravichandran participated in a nuclear physics research project that could have a major impact on public health. Headed by the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, and sponsored by the Ministry of Labour and Workplace Safety, this project investigated whether Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD) chips could be calibrated using a natural radioactive source, such as Caesium-137. TLD chips are used to measure the radiation exposure levels of x-ray machines to ensure that they are operating properly and within safety regulations; for the chips to accurately measure radiation levels, they must first be properly calibrated. The current calibration process is quite inefficient, which is why the Canadian government is searching for a simpler and more economical method that utilizes a natural radioactive source like Cs-137.

Ravichandran explains that while the research process itself could drift towards monotony at times, the team’s ultimate success in finding a calibration factor made it all worthwhile: “…analyzing one chip could vary between 10 and 15 minutes, and there were 200 chips to analyze. So it is a time consuming process . . . [but] I was pretty satisfied because we got the result we were looking for!”

Besides getting a positive result, Ravichandran’s project also provided him paper-writing and networking opportunities, as well as practical skills that often can’t be taught in the classroom. “It is almost 100% different [than coursework] because you apply the science which you got from classes …but … when you get a result, you have to be within some tolerable value to take it to people because it's [a]real application, not just on paper,” he says. 

This exposure to what Ravichandran described as “real-world nuclear science practices” reinforced his hope that he had settled on the right field. “I liked physics, [but] I wasn't sure what area of physics to focus on. After coming to the U of S, I figured out, okay, nuclear is my calling.”

Research Radiates Abroad

This isn’t Ravichandran’s first research project, either; at his professor’s suggestion, he spent summer of 2017 in Germany through the International Research Exchange Program. “I was working on building and improving the design of computing monitor for the extreme live infrastructure nuclear facility under construction in Romania,” he explains. This was an exciting opportunity for Ravichandran, as he moved from a small population of physics undergraduates to a metropolis bustling with them. “Just in nuclear physics, [there were] like 200 [people] in experimental learning. And there [are] separate buildings for theoretical nuclear physics, optical, and many things.”

He likens the change to moving for the first time from a village to a big city. “[It’s] a huge community. There were more things to do [and] more people talking about science.”

However, Ravichandran also recognizes the value in being a part of a smaller research community here in Saskatoon. “When I was in Germany, I barely met the prof . . . [because] post-docs and PhD students supervise the undergrads . . . ; you talk to a prof who has been in the field for like 40 years – that is totally a different [level] of experience.”

Ravichandran, though grateful for the knowledge he gained overseas, was happy to return to his regular state of affairs. “Here, I have direct contact with [my] professor. The faculty-to-student ratio is really good in the physics department at the U of S.”

Gaining Visibility

Participating in two different research projects gave Ravichandran crucial insight into how to best find such opportunities. The first step is to make sure you have a deep love and passion for the field you are in; what comes next requires dedication and a bit of courage: “Do [well] in your subjects, [then] talk to your prof . . . That's really crucial for getting a project – you have to market yourself to the prof . . . so [they] can easily get to you,” Ravichandran explains.

Science in the Community

Between his research assistantships and academic career, Ravichandran also finds time to utilize his knowledge in the sciences to be a leader on- and off-campus. He has twice participated in University of Saskatchewan science outreach initiatives: once in the Let’s Talk Science program, and once as a Science Ambassador. These programs allowed Ravichandran to share his love for science with K-12 students in rural northern communities by demonstrating and facilitating science experiments and activities.

“It was a really cool experience . . . When you go there, you're like a celebrity; at the same time you are also engaging kids . . . When we [were] there, the attendance really increased because they were really excited that someone new was there, and they were excited to do the science activities. So the main aim is to make kids engaged and make them come to school to learn,” he says.

Onward and Upward

Moving forward, Ravichandran plans to channel his passions for nuclear physics and community engagement into further education and research, eventually earning his master’s and doctorate degrees in nuclear engineering. Beyond that, he has grander goals as well: “Eventually I'd like to start a business involving radiation safety . . . My ultimate aim would be to start a reactor design company,” he says.

In the years to come, Ravichandran will undoubtedly continue contributing to the sustainability of his communities and the world at large whether through hands-on mentorship or scientific discovery and innovation.

Aravind is an International Student and will be graduating this June with a B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics.