Science Friday The Leap: You Do Realize… That’s Impossible
Jun 23, 2025
Suchitra Sebastian, a physicist from Cambridge University, shares her unexpected journey from skepticism to groundbreaking discovery. She recounts how a late-night experiment revealed a potential new state of matter, challenging traditional scientific beliefs. Beng Sing Tan adds insights on the high-pressure environment of research, while theoretical physicist Piers Coleman discusses the need to push boundaries in science. Together, they explore the emotional and societal challenges faced by women in STEM and the exciting implications of their findings on electron behavior.
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Unexpected Discovery Sparks Passion
- Suchitra Sebastian discovered a result during her PhD that didn't match expectations and got her hooked on physics research.
- This unexpected scientific finding made her suddenly passionate about lab work and discovery.
Science Reveals the Unknown
- Science can make the world feel less strange or, sometimes, more alien by challenging what we thought was certain.
- True discovery pushes us into the unknown, questioning established knowledge.
Balancing Passions Led to Breakthrough
- Suchitra balanced theater and activism with physics coursework in grad school before a surprising experiment changed her path.
- The unexpected result energized her, leading to more frequent lab visits and excitement about research.