Michael Nakasala Muchemu
B.Sc. Honours Physics, 2004
Profession
Doctoral student at the University of Toronto in Nanotechnology.
Brief Biography
After graduating from Guelph's Honours Physics program in 2004, Michael got a Master's in Engineering Physics at McMaster University. In 2008, he began his PhD at the University of Toronto in the Electronic Photonics Materials Group at the Centre for Nanotechnology.
Q & A with Michael
Where did you go to high school?
Strathmore High School, Nairobi, Kenya.
What made you choose University of Guelph?
I liked the fact that it was small. I've always had small classes. It provides better interaction with the instructor, and with fellow students.
What made you choose to do an undergrad degree in physics?
I've always liked and been good at physics. It's a beautiful science. And it tells us how ultimately everything works.
What did you like about studying physics?
That you can explain sometimes quite complicated phenomena using very simple, though very subtle, principles. Very awe-inspiring!
What did you do for fun when you were an undergrad?
I played sports - especially football....er...soccer. So much for the jock-nerd dichotomy!
Favourite place to eat in Guelph?
There was this little place called "Curry in a Hurry" downtown.
Favourite place to hang out on Campus?
The coffee place above the bookstore in McNaughton Building (Pages). Banging out assignments up there was heady stuff.
Top 3 favourite books:
- Ender's Game
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- Ivanhoe
What has your career/life path been from Guelph to where you are now?
It's been all academic. Got my master's, took a bit of time to breathe, then back to do a PhD in Electronic Photonics Materials. I've learnt that my training in physics set me up pretty well to solve very diverse problems.
What inspires you?
Can't really say. Nothing beats a deadline, though!
What keeps you grounded?
I guess I get most centred when I look at some of the Hubble pictures. Particularly the deep field ones. There's something about the casual magnificence of all that out there that keeps me situated on here.
One of your dreams for the future?
Going to Old Trafford. And writing a book. Or two. Or more.