Profile
Ben Pritchard
My CV
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Education:
Sir William Robertson High School – GSCE
Southwell Minister Sixth Form – A Levels
University of Leeds – MEng in Mechanical Engineering
University of York – PhD in Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy -
Qualifications:
GCSE’s C – A* in various subjects, including PE, Resistance materials, Triple Science and German
A Levels A* in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry
First Class with Honours MEng in Mechanical Engineering -
Work History:
The Friendly Famer – Shop Assistant and Pot Washer
Glide and Slide – Ski sales assistant and boot fitter
University of Leeds – Get Out Get Active Ambassador
Williams F1 – Junior Vehicle Dynamics Engineer
Williams F1 – Graduate Data Processing Engineer
Williams F1 – Data Processing Team Leader -
Current Job:
University of York PhD student – Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy
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About Me:
I’m a sporty plasma physics PhD student. I enjoy keeping active and also playing music on the guitar and piano! I have been known to sing too!
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I live in York where I am currently studying plasma physics at a graduate level to prepare me for my PhD. I am enrolled on a CDT which provides more structure and training for the PhD, so this first year can be thought of as a foundational graduate year.
I have an MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Leeds and have worked in Formula 1 as a data analyst and processing engineer.
I’d like to adopt a dog in the near future and my favourite food has to be red cabbage! I like to go out and do risky sports like surfing and freestyle skiing, the adrenaline adds to the fun for myself. I also enjoy sci-fi and fantasy literature. I also play guitar and piano and am learning to sing, i’d like to join a band once social distancing measures are relaxed!
My pronouns are he/him.
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I am currently studying plasma physics to ensure my foundational knowledge is good enough for my PhD. I will eventually be researching and performing experiments to understand some new area of physics that hasn’t been done before!
The PhD will be focusing on creating a microwave camera to take pictures of the plasma so other scientists can use those pictures to analyse their own ideas and hypotheses.
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My Typical Day:
I wake up around 7 – 8am, where I then do some exercise and have breakfast. I then start to revise and make notes on lecture material, followed by assignment work. I may have a lecture to attend via zoom interspaced in the day. At 6pm after working at the PC with many breaks to stretch and have a walk around, I’ll cook some food and then unwind with some music in the evening.
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After waking up between 7 – 8am, I’ll get on my bike and do some sprint or steady rides, followed by a shower and some healthy breakfast to kickstart my day.
I’ll then sit down at my PC and look at my timetable to see what material I should be revising and making notes on, what assignments are due next and what work needs doing for them, and finally, if I have any pre-recorded or live lectures to attend via zoom. I’ll then break these tasks up and perform them all together throughout the day, spending 20-40mins on one task, then having a short break, and moving between the tasks. I find this is the best way to maintain focus and to get through the heavy workload.
Unfortunately due to COVID it is all home based, but i’m looking forward to the days when I can start going onto campus to start doing my PhD work.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
The CDT has an outreach programme and i’d donate money to that programme to help fund various projects.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Adrenaline loving nerd
What did you want to be after you left school?
An Engineer
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes on many occasions
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Roy Orbison
What's your favourite food?
Red cabbage!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To make clean limitless energy a reality. To be able to persuade companies and politicians to invest in the clean energy from 1. To be able to make the clean energy from 1 a reality.
Tell us a joke.
Donald Trump
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