Physics and Astronomy Tutors : 1-1 Physics and Astronomy Preparation

Hiya! I’m James, a second year MSci Theoretical Physics student at the University of Nottingham. I achieved A*AAAA in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and EPQ respectively at A-Level and 10 9s at GCSE, leading to an award for the highest GCSE grades across my academy trust of ~50 schools, in 2021.

I have extensive knowledge of the Edexcel A-Level Maths and Further Maths (Core Pure 1&2, Further Pure 1 and Decision 1 modules) courses, as well as OCR A Physics and Chemistry courses. I am proficient in Python, and frequently use this throughout my degree in labs, coursework, and exams, achieving 100% in my computer science module last year. Overall, I received a First Class for my first year, with an average of 84%, including a 90% in the maths module.

I had two interviews and received an offer from the University of Cambridge (Jesus College), as well as offers from UCL, and the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham and York.

Please reach out with any questions, and I look forward to (hopefully) speaking soon!

Hello! My journey into materials science began with hands-on research experience at Nankai University, where I worked on the refractive properties of electromagnetic glass and investigated Tungsten Oxide as an alternative light shield. This exploration involved experimenting with its voltage-dependent refractive index, which culminated in an award-winning report. Later, an internship with China Southern Airlines gave me the chance to dive deeper into high-temperature materials. There, I studied advanced alloys for a GTF engine project, simulating material properties using COSMOL, and analyzed how Nickel-Aluminum alloys and their FCC structures can enhance ductility under high temperatures—a quality that can be improved with boron doping. Resources like Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik and MIT’s OpenCourseWare on physical metallurgy provided invaluable insights during this time.

This initial exposure to material behavior and manipulation fueled my desire to continue experimenting. Through a research program with Dr. Profundo at UC Santa Cruz, I took on the challenge of designing spaceship materials. My project involved modeling a thin-walled pressure vessel, derived for membrane stress, and calculating ideal Young’s moduli. When I extended this model to consider cylindrical shapes and non-negligible wall thicknesses, I found myself in the realm of Lame’s equations. I became intrigued by how materials like CFRP and quartz-fiber composites perform under unique stresses, learning about their high strength-to-weight ratios and suitability for aerospace applications.

Following this, I delved into the realm of non-destructive testing (NDT) with Dr. Zhang at MIT, where I conducted a literature review on ultrasonic NDT. Through studies on ultrasonic transducer models and computational imaging, I explored how these methods assess material integrity and learned about the limitations when measuring certain thermal and electrical properties.

These diverse experiences have shaped my ambition to pursue a career in materials science—a field where I feel truly inspired. As I began studying physics at UCL, I realized my drive to solve practical problems aligns more with materials science than general physics. I’m excited to engage in projects focused on energy storage and renewable energy materials, particularly in solar technology, which I believe holds potential in addressing climate change.

I am a current PhD student at the University of Cambridge, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP). My passion has always been physics in the overlapping region between theory and astrophysics, such as black holes and gravitational waves. My current field of research is Numerical Relativity, i.e. solving Einstein’s equations by means of extensive simulations on supercomputers. More specifically, I am looking at black holes and boson stars, and how they interact. Past research has focused on gravitational waves and black hole photon rings.

I have obtained degrees in Mathematics, Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Leuven, Belgium, before being accepted for my current position. I have two published peer-reviewed papers, and am co-author on a chapter of a book on testing General Relativity. In my spare time, I like to do sports (running, football …) and play guitar.

Hello! My journey into materials science began with hands-on research experience at Nankai University, where I worked on the refractive properties of electromagnetic glass and investigated Tungsten Oxide as an alternative light shield. This exploration involved experimenting with its voltage-dependent refractive index, which culminated in an award-winning report. Later, an internship with China Southern Airlines gave me the chance to dive deeper into high-temperature materials. There, I studied advanced alloys for a GTF engine project, simulating material properties using COSMOL, and analyzed how Nickel-Aluminum alloys and their FCC structures can enhance ductility under high temperatures—a quality that can be improved with boron doping. Resources like Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik and MIT’s OpenCourseWare on physical metallurgy provided invaluable insights during this time.

This initial exposure to material behavior and manipulation fueled my desire to continue experimenting. Through a research program with Dr. Profundo at UC Santa Cruz, I took on the challenge of designing spaceship materials. My project involved modeling a thin-walled pressure vessel, derived for membrane stress, and calculating ideal Young’s moduli. When I extended this model to consider cylindrical shapes and non-negligible wall thicknesses, I found myself in the realm of Lame’s equations. I became intrigued by how materials like CFRP and quartz-fiber composites perform under unique stresses, learning about their high strength-to-weight ratios and suitability for aerospace applications.

Following this, I delved into the realm of non-destructive testing (NDT) with Dr. Zhang at MIT, where I conducted a literature review on ultrasonic NDT. Through studies on ultrasonic transducer models and computational imaging, I explored how these methods assess material integrity and learned about the limitations when measuring certain thermal and electrical properties.

These diverse experiences have shaped my ambition to pursue a career in materials science—a field where I feel truly inspired. As I began studying physics at UCL, I realized my drive to solve practical problems aligns more with materials science than general physics. I’m excited to engage in projects focused on energy storage and renewable energy materials, particularly in solar technology, which I believe holds potential in addressing climate change.

Hiya! I’m James, a second year MSci Theoretical Physics student at the University of Nottingham. I achieved A*AAAA in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry and EPQ respectively at A-Level and 10 9s at GCSE, leading to an award for the highest GCSE grades across my academy trust of ~50 schools, in 2021.

I have extensive knowledge of the Edexcel A-Level Maths and Further Maths (Core Pure 1&2, Further Pure 1 and Decision 1 modules) courses, as well as OCR A Physics and Chemistry courses. I am proficient in Python, and frequently use this throughout my degree in labs, coursework, and exams, achieving 100% in my computer science module last year. Overall, I received a First Class for my first year, with an average of 84%, including a 90% in the maths module.

I had two interviews and received an offer from the University of Cambridge (Jesus College), as well as offers from UCL, and the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham and York.

Please reach out with any questions, and I look forward to (hopefully) speaking soon!

Hello! I am a dedicated physics tutor with a passion for helping students grasp the fundamental principles that govern our universe. Currently, I am a Royal Society Newton International Fellow in the Materials Department at the University of Oxford, UK. I hold a PhD in Physics from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, and have over six years of postdoctoral research experience at Bar-Ilan University, Israel, and Oxford University, UK.

My research focuses on computational modeling of energy storage materials, and I actively mentor Master’s and DPhil students in their academic work. With a first-class Master’s degree in Physics and extensive experience in both research and teaching, I aim to make physics engaging, intuitive, and accessible to students at all levels.

I believe that physics is everywhere—helping us understand everything from the smallest particles to the vastness of the cosmos. My goal is to inspire curiosity, build confidence, and equip students with the problem-solving skills they need to excel academically and beyond. Whether you’re preparing for exams or looking to deepen your understanding, I am here to guide you toward achieving your highest potential.

Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in personalized tutoring sessions!