Physics Student Q&A: Abby Gloade

We met with Abby Gloade, a third-year Biological & Medical Physics student minoring in Neuroscience, to hear about her university experience. Abby is involved in the Physics and Astronomy Club, Cheers and Gears, Gryphons Give – Stem Cells for Life and worked as an Undergraduate Student Research Assistant in the physics department. She is passionate about physics and encourages students to seek out opportunities to get involved in fun clubs and initiatives.

Why did you choose to study Biological & Medical Physics? What sparked your interest in it?

I originally started in neuroscience, but after taking PSYC*1000 Introduction to Psychology, I realized that studying psychology isn’t for me, and the neuroscience program has lots of psychology courses. But I really enjoyed my physics and calculus courses during the first semester of my first year. I saw biophysics as a program during a fair in the UC courtyard, which I had never heard of before and found really intriguing. After speaking with my program counselor, I learned that U of G offered a Biological & Medical Physics program, and I decided to explore it. I switched into the program at the end of my first year and added neuroscience as a minor. I didn’t realize how much neuroscience and medical physics/biophysics go hand in hand. The program has two streams: the Biophysics stream, which emphasizes molecular biophysics, and the Medical Physics stream, which focuses on biomedical courses, which is my stream.

What’s been your favourite course in the program so far, and why?

My favourite course in the program so far has been Experimental Techniques in Physics (PHYS*2180). The instructor, Christian Schultz-Nielsen, is fantastic because his engaging and practical teaching approach provided me with hands-on knowledge that I hadn’t gained before. A lot of what I had done previously was theoretical, so it was really special to see physics being applied in a laboratory setting and to learn about experimental techniques in physics.

What’s your role on the Physics and Astronomy Club, and what do you enjoy most about the experience? 

I’m the College Royal Coordinator for the Physics and Astronomy Club, where I lead a team of volunteers in planning and organizing events for College Royal. We design demonstrations, activities, and presentations to showcase the club during the weekend. I manage meeting schedules, lead discussions, and organize the demonstrations we’ll present. It also gives me the chance to use my physics knowledge and communication skills to engage the public. The Physics program at Guelph places a strong emphasis on science communication, which I get to apply while creating and presenting the demos. Additionally, I’ve been able to use the connections I made during my summer job with the physics department, working with professors and the machine shop to help design the demonstrations.

What was your experience like as an undergraduate student research assistant with the Department of Physics and working with Royal City Science? How did you apply course knowledge to your work?

I worked as a research assistant this summer, where I had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Joanne O’Meara and Orbax, who co-founded a nonprofit called Royal City Science. Their goal is to establish a science centre in Guelph and the surrounding area. As part of this initiative, they have a portable planetarium. A major aspect of my role involved traveling to schools, museums, and community events, where I presented on Indigenous sky teachings. This gave me the chance to present with the planetarium, which allowed me to apply my knowledge of science communication. This has provided me with many opportunities to explore how people learn physics, which enhances the quality of my education.

What’s an extracurricular you're involved in that you would recommend other CEPS students to join?

I’m the assistant band director for Cheers and Gears, the engineering musical on campus. Every year, they create an engineering parody of a popular musical. It’s a great creative outlet for students, especially those focused on academics, and it's open to everyone. Being involved in something you're passionate about makes balancing academics and extracurriculars easier, as it doesn’t feel like a job. I recommend Cheers and Gears to all CEPS students, especially engineers, as it’s very accommodating to busy schedules.

How can students get involved in research with professors? Any tips?

All of my research experience and job opportunities came from simply talking to professors—whether it was chatting with my favorite professor after class or cold emailing them. The key is starting a conversation about potential opportunities. The best thing you can do is ask what qualities professors or researchers are looking for in candidates. If you demonstrate those qualities, you may be offered a position or given a chance to apply. You can also tailor your extracurriculars and resume to highlight the qualities you have that researchers value. It’s a good idea to start early in seeking out these opportunities.