Meet the 2025 KISS Affiliates
Anika Patel
Grad student in the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Hometown: London, UK
Date of this Interview: December 20, 2024
What do you research?
I work in Jamie Bock’s research lab and help develop instruments to explore the early universe. My current efforts focus on the BICEP Array telescopes located at the South Pole, which study the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) in the quest to detect primordial gravitational waves.
Why does space inspire you?
Space inspires me because it represents the ultimate frontier of human curiosity. It pushes us to think beyond our own limits and recognize the interconnectedness of the Universe. The fact that our technology has advanced enough to explore and study something so vast drives me to contribute to this joint journey of discovery.
If you could instantly travel to any point in the universe, where would you choose to go?
If I could instantly travel anywhere in the universe, I’d choose to visit the Trappist-1 system. It is home to seven Earth-sized exoplanets which orbit a star only 40 light-years away. It is currently one of the most promising places to search for signs of life!
Where can you be found when you’re not conducting research?
When I'm not conducting research, you can find me at SoulCycle, taking long walks to recharge and enjoy the outdoors, or spending quality time with my friends—whether it’s trying out new restaurants, exploring new places, or just catching up.
What book do you wish you could read for the first time again?
Macbeth! (I know it's a play, but it is my favourite read!)
