PhD student AboBakr Emara's physics research achievements won him the seventh annual Tom and Mylo Drake Physics Research Prize.
Established by professor emeritus Gordon Drake in honour of his parents, the scholarship supports and encourages graduate students who demonstrate excellence in their academic and research pursuits.
AboBakr Emara, a doctoral student of physics, explores detection and measurement of radon at low levels.
"This prize holds significant meaning for me as it acknowledges my efforts and contributions to experimental physics," says Emara.
"Such recognition not only motivates me to keep pushing boundaries in my research but also reinforces the importance of advancing physics to answer fundamental questions about our universe."
Emara started his studies in Fall 2023 at in the Department of Physics under the supervision of professor Caio Licciardi. His research focuses on designing and testing a device to detect and measure radon gas at extremely low levels.
"Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can interfere with experiments searching for rare particle interactions, like neutrino-less double beta decay," he says.
"By improving how we identify and reduce radon backgrounds, my work helps ensure the accuracy of these experiments, which aim to uncover fundamental properties of particles and the universe. This work aims to push the boundaries of our understanding of particle physics and contribute to the global effort in the search for neutrino-less double beta decay."
The award is for $1,300. Emara says its financial support will be invaluable in advancing his academic journey by assisting with educational and living expenses.
Emara has participated in the Three Minute Thesis competition and was selected as one of the top 10 finalists, bringing more recognition to the Department of Physics. He presented a poster of his research at the 2024 Canadian Association of Physics congress in London, and he was recognized among the top six posters, earning an honorable mention.
"Bakr is a highly successful researcher, graduate teaching assistant, and student in the physics department," says department head Steven Rehse. "He has excelled in all of his classes and has been deeply involved with Dr. Licciardi's experimental physics research at SNOLAB and here in Windsor."
