Colin Burke is a PhD student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and grew up in Indiana. He works on active galactic nuclei (AGN) and variable transients.
We asked Colin a few questions. Here’s what he had to say:
What sparked your interest in Physics/Astronomy/Cosmology?
As a child, I was fascinated by the unknown or unexpected. In astronomy, there is still a lot we don’t understand! It seems like every time astronomers launch a new probe or build a new telescope, we find something unexpected.
What is your favorite part about being a scientist?
Building on the results of others and contributing to our collective understanding is always very rewarding.
Do you have any hobbies or take part in sports?
I’m an amateur road cyclist. You can find me riding on the flat roads of central Illinois between the corn fields.
What is your favorite space-related image?
While not related to my work, my favorite image is the bullet cluster, which provides evidence for dark matter. The overlay of the optical image, gas, and mass is one of the most effective visualizations I’ve seen of the “invisible” phenomena of dark matter.
If you weren’t a scientist, what would your dream job be?
Architect.
What do you think has been the most exciting advance in physics / astronomy in the last 10 years?
The detection of gravitational waves. It’s super exciting to open a new window of observation into the Universe.
What in physics/astronomy are you most excited about in the next 10 years?
The Rubin Observatory is my favorite. It could transform our understanding of AGN variability and the underlying physics that drives it.
Any other fun facts about yourself?
I’m a dual citizen of both the US and Canada.
Any advice for aspiring scientists?
Surround yourself with supportive collaborators and mentors who have the same passion you do.