Our seventh cohort of 15 students joined us in September 2025!
Nerys Griffith
Hi, my name is Nerys, and I’m from Swansea in South Wales. I graduated with a first class bachelor’s degree in Physics from Cardiff University in 2018, following which I completed a PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan University. I started teaching at a Welsh-medium secondary school in 2019, where I went on to become the youngest and first female Head of Physics in the school’s history.
Eager to make science relevant and engaging, I organised many extracurricular experiences for my students. It was through workshops and outreach projects that I became more aware of developments in technology and the career opportunities that came with them; largely inspiring my career change. Having taken a keen interest in semiconductors during my undergraduate degree, the CDT felt like the perfect way to reintroduce myself to academia and research, and prepare for work in such an exciting field!
In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, cooking, keeping active with weight training, pilates and running and relaxing with a good book.
Jeremy Owusu Boamah
Hello, my name is Jeremy Owusu Boamah, and I grew up in Northamptonshire. I obtained an Integrated Masters in Physics from the University of Leicester in 2025. My research experience spans projects ranging from molecular experiments in the Knowles Lab to environmental monitoring at Space Park Leicester, where I developed a strong appreciation for transforming scientific discoveries into impactful technologies. Having studied condensed matter physics at the undergraduate level, I am particularly excited to join this CDT program to cultivate my theoretical knowledge to the fabrication and characterisation of advanced semiconductor materials.
I look forward to deepening my expertise and contributing to innovative research in this rapidly evolving industry.
Rhys Gruffudd Jones
Hello, my name is Rhys and I’m from Penrhyndeudraeth, a village in north west Wales. I graduated with a BSc Physics with Astronomy from Cardiff University in 2025. During the course of my degree I developed an interest in condensed matter physics through the many modules that are offered on the subject at Cardiff University. My final year dissertation project focused on the numerical modelling of metasurfaces, which further increased my interest in compound semiconductors, especially the more theoretical and numerical aspects of their study. After graduating I have started research on using coupled wave theory to model photonic crystal lasers. I look forward to continuing with that research as part of the CDT program, as well as developing further understanding of other aspects of compound semiconductor physics.
Outside of physics I enjoy playing rugby as well as playing the cornet in a brass band!
Sam Lyle
Hi! I’m Sam and I’m from Northern Ireland. I completed an integrated masters in physics at Queen’s University Belfast where in my final year project I manufactured and investigated magnetic multilayers using ferromagnetic resonance. I’m looking forward to using these skills in my research and learning more hands-on lab skills throughout the CDT program at Cardiff University. In my free time I love hiking, cliff-diving, trying new things, cooking and socialising with friends. I can’t wait to begin the next step in my academic journey in compound semiconductors and meet everyone in my cohort!
Joshua Maree
Hi I’m Josh and I’m from West Sussex. I graduated with a BSc in Physics from the University of Bath in 2025, where I developed a strong interest in semiconductor devices and applied electronics. During my placement year at Paragraf, I particularly enjoyed seeing how materials characterisation techniques like Raman spectroscopy and AFM could directly influence device development. In my final year project, I studied exactly solvable models in condensed matter physics, including the Hatsugai-Kohmoto model, to understand how Mott insulating behaviour could emerge in graphene while retaining a linear energy dispersion near the Fermi level. This combination of theoretical and applied work solidified my interest in working with real materials with practical potential. I’m really excited to be joining the CDT program and looking forward to meeting everyone in the new cohort!
In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, hiking, and card games.
Alister Trotman
Hello – I’m Alister. Or Ali. With a background in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton, followed by a Master’s at Swansea University, I have spent the past six years in industry and have now put down roots in Cardiff. My main roles have been in the automation of scientific and electronic equipment. Understanding how things work at the lowest level of abstraction is where I thrive, but my satisfaction comes from realising tangible designs that exploit the underlying physics to make it seem almost… magical. I was drawn to the CDT by my recent work with RF and RTL design. I am excited by this opportunity to research and manufacture novel microstructures for sensor applications, where most importantly, the industry partnerships will lead to real-world use. Hobbies – I have many. But being outdoors, hot yoga and being a cat dad sums me up!
Tajamul Wani
My name is Tajamul Wani. I hold a BSc degree in Physics and Mathematics. I recently graduated with a Master’s in Materials Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India.
In my master’s thesis, I examined the photoconductivity of metal oxide and perovskite semiconductors in the ultraviolet and visible regions. Additionally, as a research intern at the University of Cambridge, I investigated the effects of metal ion doping on the crystallisation of perovskite semiconductors and utilised ultrafast spectroscopy to analyse their photophysics. The practical experience with advanced techniques such as time-correlated single photon counting enriched my understanding of optoelectronic materials at crucial timescales and strengthened my interest in studying photophysics at a more advanced level.
Furthermore, I was employed as a Junior Research Fellow at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research-Hyderabad (TIFRH). At TIFRH, I led my project on the phase stability of hybrid perovskite semiconductors through additive engineering.
Harry Rowsell
Hi, I’m Harry, I’m from Bristol, and I graduated from Cardiff University in 2022 with a Master’s (MPhys) in Physics with Astronomy. My final-year project was on Cosmic Dust in the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51). Since graduating, I’ve developed an interest in compound semiconductor physics, particularly for potential applications and improvements in observational astronomy. I look forward to starting this new chapter of my academic career and branching out into a different area of physics.
Outside of work and studying, I enjoy watching football, sci-fi and fantasy, and spending too much time playing video games.
Kanad Sharma
Hi! My name’s Kanad and I’m from Cambridge.
I studied Materials Science and Engineering with Nanomaterials at the University of Manchester, focusing on semiconductor devices. My interest in solid state physics led me to pursue a Master’s project studying the thermoelectric properties of graphene encased in hexagonal boron nitride. Through this, I explored the semiconductor physics of 2D materials.
Prior to my Master’s, I undertook an internship in the Condensed Matter Laboratory at the University of Manchester. I helped characterise CFGT for novel spintronic devices intended to replace Si transistors as logic gates. I aim to use my background to engineer new, sustainable semiconductor devices and look towards compound semiconductors as a tool to innovate technology.
In my free time, I enjoy reading and hiking.