Sam Kay

I am a PhD student in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Durham University, working on structures in the solar wind. Project specifics: here.

I also completed my MMath undergrad at Durham, studying courses that branch off macroscopic-level fluid dynamics and quantum field theory (QFT). My dissertation investigated the construction of the Standard Model via spontaneous symmetry breaking.

I write and help produce the maths magazine Chalkdust; I have written a number of articles as myself and as the cryptic crossword setter Seuss.

I co-hosted the popular maths podcast Chalkboard Ultra, where Louie Leventhall and I talked about cool (!) concepts in maths and chatted to PhD candiates and lecturers about their research. The reins are now in the hands of Cassia Pearce.

During the summers I haved worked as a STEM, Outdoor Adventure and Rockshop counsellor at a children’s summer camp in Pennsylvania, USA. I have been the lead pianist and keytar player in various bands, most recently in Quantum Funk Theory (QFT).