Noah Chulu-Chinn: Combining media and fusion energy research
Fusion needs more people with a variety of skills to grow the industry to deliver low-carbon energy to all. For anyone interested in fusion jobs, or in the motivations of young people coming into the field, here we introduce you to Fusion Energy Insights' 2024 summer interns.
Meet Noah Chulu-Chinn
Noah is a third year PhD student in fusion and joined Fusion Energy Insights as an intern. He has been working on making videos for our new YouTube channel, which will be launching soon—watch this space!
What are you currently studying/working on?
Currently I am in my 3rd year of a PhD in Fusion, researching instabilities in spherical tokamaks by using simulations and experiment. I’m about to submit my first paper which is exciting; a nice confirmation that there hasn’t been some terrible mistake and I am actually supposed to be here!
Why did you want to do an internship with Fusion Energy Insights?
I wanted to do an internship with FEI as it was an opportunity to combine my skills in media and fusion research. This internship has also been a chance to meet people in the private sector, understand how investing in fusion works and get a wider understanding of the fusion landscape. Melanie’s path of being a PhD student and then going into science communication also presents an alternative option for my own career, so mostly I just wanted to meet her!
What have you found interesting and exciting about working in fusion so far?
Working in fusion feels like you are at the forefront of a technology that has the potential to transform the world. Fusion is a horrible fire-breathing Hydra, with many distinct types of physics and technologies applied to one goal, once you chop off one problem three more grow in its place! Sometimes you get bogged down in the complexities of your own research, but when you pop your head out of the water you realise, you’re part of something monumental. Hopefully the hard work will pay off!
Share something about yourself and what you do outside of work.
Outside of Fusion I lead another life in the creative industry! I am pursuing a side-career as a videographer and producer and am currently in the pre-production of a documentary about the lives of fusion physicists in Latin America.
Follow Noah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-chulu-chinn-8a91371b7/
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