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When Allen Wood was a boy growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he was much more interested in things that would be appropriate for someone older than him. At the age of eight, he absorbed the contents of Richard Feynman’s book on quantum theory given to him by his grandfather.
At age 11, Wood disassembled his family’s computer and spread its parts across the living room floor. As a result, he was gently reprimanded by his father, who told him that the computer worked better once he put it back together.
At age 15, he was riding his bike around the neighborhood and wondered how he could stay upright on two rotating wheels. This idea became fascinated by a fundamental concept in physics called angular momentum, which describes the rotational motion of objects around an axis and explains the stability of a bicycle while traveling.
“When I observe something and it seems counterintuitive, my immediate thought is, ‘What kind of physics is at play here?’ ” Wood said.
Mr. Wood earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2021, graduating magna cum laude. The following year, he enrolled in the materials science doctoral program in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Currently in the third year of the five-year program, Wood works in the laboratory of Jinsong Huang, the Lewis D. Rubin Jr. Distinguished Professor in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences and an adjunct professor in the Department of Chemistry. There is.
Wood’s research includes improving the performance of radiation detectors using perovskites, special compounds that increase the efficiency and reliability of solar cells. Last year, he received the Best Oral Presentation Award from the Consortium for Enabling Technology and Innovation for his work.
The career paths for these talented students appear endless, including academic appointments, research at national laboratories, and industry research. In considering the options at hand, Wood was guided through her two required applied physical science courses.
MTSC 710: Resources for Successful PhD Studies This program exposes students to extracurricular research and important resources and skills needed to succeed in the doctoral program and beyond. MTSC 711: Creating a Plan for Success helps students create a personal growth plan that involves critical self-assessment and reveals which career is meaningful to them.
Rene López, professor and director of graduate studies in the School of Applied Physical Sciences, said a personal development plan is not a static document. Students are encouraged to clarify their values and aspirations through a series of prompts and to review their plans annually with their research advisor.
“We know that successful careers usually don’t happen without some planning and conscious effort,” he said. “Taking responsibility for your own path and tailoring your plans to your interests are the most important ingredients for a successful graduate student.”
As Wood created his own development plan, he discovered that he loved doing basic research, working in a collaborative environment, and teaching the concepts he learned to graduate students. However, he does not like grading that prioritizes rubrics and de-emphasizes subjectivity.
“The MTSC 710 and 711 courses were invaluable because they made me think about what motivates me,” Wood said. “Every day I get clearer about what I want to do, but I’m still undecided about my career path. I think of it like receiving a bunch of unopened Christmas presents. It’s really fun to think about.”
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