Galya Haim

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• QUBIC
• University of Melbourne
• Road-tripping in Tasmania in 2026

How would you describe your work to a 10-year-old?

You know how a compass needle moves when it’s near a magnet? Some special atoms do the same thing — they wiggle and tilt when there’s a magnetic force nearby.
The cool part is — scientists figured out how to “talk” to these atoms and read how they wiggle.
The way they wiggle tells you about nearby magnetic forces.

Why is that good for? These atoms are very small and very sensitive and so they can measure very very small things — like single cells, or single molecules. This is a really good way of learning about things we cannot see — like how molecules, cells, or neurons in our brain respond to things like medication or other biological processes. Which means we can learn how to work with them better.

How did you get to where you are today?

Physics all the way for me!
I never planned to stay in academia after undergrad — I joined a lab just to work on one project, and somehow that turned into a masters, then a PhD, and now a postdoc!

What’s the best thing about your role/work?

Its never boring, requires different skill sets, and always interesting.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying physics?

Work hard, and follow things that bring you joy.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work/besides physics?

Nature activities and learning new things, currently – piano, Italian and crochet.

Which three people (living or dead) would you invite to dinner?

Jesus, Jerry Senfeld, Dipa ma

Anything else you would like to add?

I’m excited for the road trip! 🙂

 

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