This month we are delighted to welcome Oleg Brandt, a Professor of Experimental Physics in the High Energy Physics group of the Cavendish.

Oleg’s journey into the world of particle physics is both captivating and enlightening. From his early days inspired by a remarkable physics teacher directly followed by a rocky start at University, to a transformative experience abroad and a few more pivotal moments along the way, Oleg's insatiable curiosity for the fundamental mysteries of nature and his passion for teaching has led him to Cambridge where he now teaches the next generations of physicists while searching for dark matter, long-lived particles and other exciting new phenomena at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider and beyond.

In this episode, Oleg offers a glimpse into the intricate world of particle physics through his unique perspective. Together we talk about the fulfilment and frustrations of a life in research, the importance of feeding one’s curiosity, navigating setbacks, and advice for aspiring physicists.

Useful links

• Learn more about Oleg Brandt’s research on dark matter long-lived particles and other exciting new phenomena here.
• Are you curious about those particle accelerators and detectors discussed in the episode? Explore CERN's Large Hadron Collider and Fermilab’s science.
• The Arithmeum in Bonn (Germany) is the museum  housing the most comprehensive collection worldwide of historical calculating machines. Chek it out!
• To learn more about the Cavendish Laboratory, or if you are interested in joining us or studying with us, go to the Cavendish website.

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Episode credits

Hosts: Jacob Butler and Vanessa Bismuth

Recording and editing: Chris Brock