This Biophysics Week, we're highlighting some of the outstanding members of our Student Chapter program. Today, we'll hear from James Hogan, a 2nd year PhD candidate in Biophysics and Quantitative Biology at the University of Illinois - Urbana Student Chapter.

 

What inspired you to study biophysics? 
I was inspired to study biophysics by a love of math, life, animal/human cognizance, and the laws which govern nature. I think biophysics has something for everyone and anyone who enjoys learning!

 

What do you think makes the study of biophysics unique?  
How all encompassing its content is. You can study animal locomotion at a macroscopic scale, or the specialized function of a single protein. Almost any biological question can be interrogated from a biophysics perspective.

 

What skill have you learned in your studies that you find useful in other aspects of your life?  
The critical thinking skills obtained by my biophysics studies. While it’s required for effectively answering biological questions, being able to critically ask questions can help with nearly any aspect of day-to-day challenges like driving optimally, reading, understanding conversations with friends, or even writing these descriptions.

 

What is your dream career?  
With an undergraduate background in astrophysics along with my biophysics degree, I have always been heavily interested on how our cosmos influences life. I could see myself doing anything including seeing how gravity affects macroscopic life, studying pathogens or bacteria in areas of Earth similar to other planets, studying the evolution of protein folding and the RNA core, and more.

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of?  
I am most proud of seeing my improvement as a scientist over the last 6 years of learning in university while supporting and building great relationships among my friends.

 

What advice do you have for someone thinking about studying biophysics?  
For those interested in studying biophysics I believe you need more than just an interest in a job in biophysics. Focus also on how biophysics can improve your everyday life. Pick up bird watching, learn about niche fields of biophysics different from your research. With this I believe you will not only become a better biophysics, but a happier graduate student.