Having recently completed her PhD in particle physics, Dr Maggie Chen is now an AI researcher working in partnership with the European Space Agency developing advanced machine learning tools for greenhouse gas detection onboard satellites.

Maggie relishes the independence that comes from research work. “I love the freedom to explore new ideas and really run with them,” she says. “My working hours are flexible too, which suits me well. I’m a keen traveller and like to take my work with me. When I worked at CERN, my day started with some reading before work as I found it important to not think about work first thing in the morning. Then I usually had a few meetings with my collaborators, and a few hours of coding as my research largely involved analysing data from the Large Hadron Collider. I would often grab lunch and coffee with colleagues to break up the work day, and I sometimes went for a cycle in the forest nearby to get some fresh air. In the evening, I enjoyed cooking dinner and catching up with friends. I hit the bouldering gym three times a week too.

“So, what is it about particle physics that attracts her so strongly? “I am deeply driven to pursue a path that is fulfilling, both in its process and in its end goals. Particle physics attempts to answer some of the most fundamental questions about the Universe, and the machine learning methods I develop also have tangible benefits. Right now, I’m applying them to detect greenhouse gases from space. Every day, I feel I’m making a positive impact on the planet, both in the short term and the long term.”

Maggie admits that her career aspirations took time to define and shifted frequently as a teenager. Concert pianist! Genetic biologist! Theatre production manager! “Not all at once, of course! Everything (at St Swithun’s) felt new and exciting: I was exploring, and I later learnt that the beginning of a journey did not necessarily start at choosing which degree to study at university. Even though I studied physics, I went through periods where I was unsure about a career in the subject. It took a few years of trial and error to figure out my current path, and it might still change in the future!”

Reflecting on her time at St Swithun’s, Maggie recalls the academic and intellectual freedom and encouragement she felt while exploring the subjects she was passionate about. Dr Sturton, her physics teacher, inspired her to think beyond the syllabus and to approach confusion and uncertainty not as failure but part of the path to greater understanding. One particularly vivid memory stands out: a school trip to the London Science Museum to see an exhibition on the Large Hadron Collider. The awe she felt then was profound. Could she imagine that just a decade later, she would be working at CERN?

Her strongest memories of St Swithun’s are those of discovery: learning cryptography, performing in a band, acting in school theatre productions, and staying late in classrooms discussing ideas. “Those experiences really helped shape both my personal and academic identities.” There have been difficult times too, such as when she didn’t get accepted to the University of Oxford for her undergraduate degree. “This sounds very cliché, but it was a challenging time. However, I truly enjoyed my time at UCL instead, and in retrospect, I don’t think the Oxford way of undergraduate teaching would have suited my learning style. The lesson I learnt was to not be so fixated on one thing.”

Completing her PhD came with its own share of highs and lows. “Working towards a singular goal for four years is no small feat, and there were many stressful deadlines, writing blocks and academic politics. But there were also some of the best times of my life so far. Working at CERN in Geneva was definitely a highlight, I truly felt part of a major human endeavour.” 

Now, with her research expanding into climate and space science, Maggie feels a renewed sense of confidence and possibility. “I feel more experienced as a researcher, especially after working as part of large international collaborations. But deep down, I’ll always be a particle physicist.”

When asked about advice that continues to resonate, Maggie recalls words from Dr Martin, then head of classics at St Swithun’s: “There is no right decision. Whatever decision you make, you have to make it the right one.” It’s a philosophy she carries with her still. The worst advice was the classic: “be yourself.” “It’s so vague! How can you know who to be if you don’t yet know who you are? I think discovering yourself, making mistakes, trying different versions of who you might be is what really matters.”

That curiosity extends into her approach to life outside her work. “I remind myself that, at the end of the day, it’s just physics. That helps me not take setbacks too personally.” Her many hobbies: climbing, cooking, making music, keep her grounded. “I’m also the designated dinner party host in my circle,” she adds. “Doing other things I love helps me keep perspective and avoid tunnel vision.”

Looking to the future, Maggie’s goal is to bridge the gap between complex science and public understanding. “I’m passionate about bringing the world of particle physics to a wider audience,” she says. “We don’t have the spectacular images of galaxies that astrophysics does, but we could do better at explaining our work at the Large Hadron Collider. As a starting point, I wrote an article for the CERN Physics Briefing, aimed at the general public, about the rare physics process I researched during my PhD.”

As she reflects on her journey from the rooms of Hyde Abbey to the underground tunnels of CERN, Maggie recognises how much she’s
learnt about perspective: “If I could change one thing about my time at school,” she says, “I would have done less. Leaving time to think,
reflect, and let your mind wander is important. Burnout at school is real.”

It’s a thoughtful conclusion from someone who so clearly made the most of her time at St Swithun’s, carrying its ethos of intellectual curiosity into a wider world. Yet, as Maggie reflects, it isn’t about how much she did or achieved, but about the value of exploration itself. “What matters most,” she says, “is trying out different things, rather than focusing on quantity or outcomes.” That’s how you can discover what truly inspires you.

Published in the OGA Chain 2025.