Zaki Hawkins

My story

My high school physics/chemistry teacher ignited my interest in physics, introducing me to the vast world that physicists explain with such detail that even the smallest of phenomena are intriguing. That, in addition to different educational shows such as Mythbusters and How the Universe Works, sparked my interest in the field. I am most passionate about space-related physics such as heliophysics and plasma physics, but other parts of astrophysics are also of interest. In the future I plan to enter a theoretical research field, most likely to work in researching solar physics phenomena in addition to studying star-based physics phenomena. Currently I am working on completing my physics degree, which will lead to graduate school, studying classical and statistical mechanics. I have also recently completed an internship studying heliophysics and coronal mass ejections at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

This scholarship plays an essential part in funding my future education, helping to provide the resources for me to study more specialized physics areas, in addition to working at more well-known physics-oriented institutions.