Riya Raizada

• PhD student
• CDM
• University of Sydney
• Road-tripping Karratha to Perth (2025)

 

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

I use high performance computers to simulate the growth of the universe over millions of years, using observed information about the past and current universe a starting point. We can use simulations to test how processes such as galaxies and clusters of galaxies form. The patterns they make when they gather, how fast they spin and travel, their shapes, size and their abundance are used to pick out information about the unknown aspects of the universe such as dark matter and dark energy. Dark Matter and Dark Energy dominate the universe- that is, more of it exists than normal matter like atoms and particles that make you or I. But it can’t be seen or felt by the technology we have now. So, simulations can help to determine the ways in which these unknown aspects behave and have affected how galaxies and stars have formed, and even allowed for us to exist at all!

How did you get to where you are today?

I’ve always loved solving problems and puzzles. Math and science were my favorite subjects at school because the questions always felt like games or brainteasers. I was also very curious about how the world and the universe worked. I loved asking questions like ‘Why does it rain?’ and ‘How do plants grow strong if they don’t eat?’ and science always had an answer. In fact scientists were the ones trying to find the answers, so I always to be one of them. And learning was one of the things I’ve always enjoyed. When I was in high school I chose Math and Physics in the HSC. And then I did a Bachelor of Science (Hons) at the University of Sydney majoring in Physics and Maths. I just started my PhD this year in March. I chose my particular research topic for my PhD because it allowed me to learn a lot of new skills such as coding and machine learning whilst in the field that I find the coolest: cosmology! Cosmology is all about asking questions along the lines of “How was the made and how did it get to the way it is today?” which I think is very exciting.

What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing science or physics??

Science and Physics are both very large fields with lots of smaller fields inside them. It’s ok to not love all of physics and science. It’s best to find something you are both good at and more importantly enjoy! If you really want to study more in science/physics, think about what kind of profession you want to go into. Research is not for everyone and there are heaps of exciting careers in STEM to try out- Engineering, IT, Software development and Medicine are just some of many. Really look into these to find that you like best and then find out about the types of courses and subjects you need to do to get into that career.

What are your interests outside work/physics?

I have a lot of different hobbies that I like to spend time on when I’m not doing Physics. I like to paint, read, watch tv shows and anime. I also love hanging out with friends and family!

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