Success in physics is much more about having a passion and working hard than it is about having an innate ability to do physics.”
Helen Ansell (she/her)
Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Physics and Astronomy
Helen Ansell is a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. Her research is focused on understanding the structural properties of complex biological structures and soft materials using analytical and numerical approaches.
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience?
My current main research project focuses on using tools from physics to study the properties of the structure of the brain. Using real brain data, I am working on determining key overarching properties of the cellular structure of the brain, which has a highly complex, intricate, branched structure. The goal is that our results could be used to guide the development of brain models with biologically relevant structural properties.
What do you find both rewarding and challenging about your research and/or work?
At the big picture level, I find one of the most rewarding things about doing research is that you get to push the boundaries of human knowledge. On an everyday level, I always find it rewarding when I have finally solved a problem I’ve been stuck on for a while, be it figuring out some math or fixing some code. One challenging part of doing research is that progress can be nonlinear, and there can be long periods where it feels like little progress has been made. However, it’s very rewarding when the pieces start falling into place.
How do you unwind after a long day?
I find walking home from campus to be a great way to decompress, at least when the weather is cooperative. I enjoy both yoga and Pilates and try to keep up a regular practice. I find both to be very good for clearing the mind and helping me relax.
What books are on your bedside table?
I’m currently reading The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, which was a Northwestern University Postdoctoral Association (NUPA) book club selection. It’s a harrowing tale of hardship and resilience following a family escaping the dust bowl during the Great Depression. Next on my reading list is Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human by Daniel J. Siegel, which came to me highly recommended and I’m excited to get into it.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone considering a similar path?
Success in physics is much more about having a passion and working hard than it is about having an innate ability to do physics. It’s ok if you don’t understand everything immediately—nobody does. Don’t be afraid to seek help from lecturers, TAs, tutoring services, and peer support networks.
Tell us about a current achievement or something you're working on that excites you.
The main research paper that I’ve been working on since joining Northwestern is in the final stages of preparation. I’m excited to be working on finalizing all the details and to see 18 months of work come together into a completed story.
Published: July 25, 2023
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