Dr Mohammed Azzouzi
Role: Research Associate, Department of Physics, Imperial College London
Subject area: Novel material for solar energy conversion/solid state physics
Nationality: Moroccan
I am from Morocco but studied at university in Paris. I am currently a Research Associate at Imperial, working on understanding the processes of converting solar energy to electricity in new semiconductor material.
Education
GCSE (or equivalent): Secondary education in Morocco
A-level (or equivalent): Moroccan high school diploma (baccalaureate) with a focus in Mathematics and Physics
Degrees
• Master's in General Engineering, École Polytechnique, France
• Master's in Energy Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
• PhD in Physics, Imperial College London
Detail about Mohammed
My research
I am working on understanding how light interacts with semiconducting material (e.g. those found in solar panels), and the processes leading to the generation of electric energy. Understanding these processes will lead to improved efficiency of solar panels, which would help tackle both the energy and climate change crisis.
My inspiration
My primary motivation was to do research that contributes to the general effort of addressing climate change. I pride myself in doing this work for the greater good – and even more so as a person of colour and coming from a non-Western background.
Who is your STEM hero?
Marie Curie – physicist and chemist who had a great impact on the world, but also because of how she was a trailblazer for woman in STEM: she was the first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize, and the first to become a professor at the University of Paris.
Most significant discovery/invention?
Time-dependent Schrödinger equation, a mathematical description that describes how the world works at the tiniest scales.
Career options after study
- Stay in academia as a researcher with aim of a professorship in the long run
- Private sector, for example research and development department of a company making solar panels, or consultant for the energy market
- Build a company developing the same kind of technology I am working on
My hobbies
Scuba diving, skiing, travelling, and changing my daughter’s nappies.