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Sciencelens DSF1408

Rebecca Hawke

Senior Research Scientist

Mass and Pressure

Areas of expertise

  • Mass and balance calibration
  • Pressure balance operation
  • Python programming

Qualifications

PhD (Condensed Matter Physics), University of Oxford, 2018

Biography

Rebecca joined MSL’s Mass and related quantities team in 2018. Her work includes the calibration of weights and balances, and the development of a Python program for the automation of mass comparisons. Rebecca is also part of the MSL Kibble Balance team, working on the aspects related to pressure balances.

Rebecca grew up in Wellington and studied maths and physics at Victoria University of Wellington.  For her Masters project, she made blue-emitting OLEDs and studied their degradation during operation using electrically- and optically-detected electron paramagnetic resonance. Rebecca then moved to Oxford to investigate lead-halide perovskites as the light-absorbing material in photovoltaic devices.

Rebecca enjoys developing and running science outreach workshops for both primary and high-school students.

Professional activities

  • Member of the Metrology Society of Australasia (MSA) 
  • Member of the NZIP