3 pictures of experiments with tagline in front.

Who’s Who at the Lab-Molly Watts

Picture of person with bird.
Name: 
Molly Watts
Position: 
Graduate Student in Physics
What do you do here at Wright Lab?  
I work with Professor David Moore on two projects. I work on nEXO, an experiment searching for an ultra-rare theorized process, neutrinoless double-beta decay. If this decay is found it would mean that the neutrino is its own antiparticle and could help explain the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe (i.e. explaining why we have something rather than nothing in the universe). I’m creating light simulations that aid in design considerations for nEXO’s construction as well as help in background rejection for the project.
 
I’m also working on dark matter searches with SIMPLE. I’m in the process of constructing an array of levitated microspheres with Ben Siegel (we usually trap a singular microsphere - an array of levitated microspheres has never been realized) that would increase the cross section in our dark matter experiments thereby increasing their sensitivity. My focus on this experiment has been in developing a new type of guided discharging device to address each sphere individually.
 
What is the most unique and/or exciting experience you’ve had here at Wright Lab? 

Getting to do tons of outreach mediated through Wright Lab has been amazing! I love engaging with younger students and getting them (more) excited about physics. I also love that Wright lab has a deep engagement with the arts. I took part in the Visualize Science competition this year, which was exciting as I worked for several years in the arts and find that it informs my physics practice.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year at Wright Lab? 
I’m so glad to be finally taking the machine shop class with Dave Johnson. I’m looking forward to fabricating equipment for my research (and perhaps getting to know all about motorcycles via osmosis from being around Dave).

What is something that people might not know about you that you’d like to share with the community?  
I recently started a History and Foundations of Physics club/reading group (meeting for the first time later this month!) with two other grad students. I have a background in philosophy and am glad to have a channel that can synthesize that love with physics and thinking about the scientific process. If anyone is interested - let me know!

Different note - I’ve lived in cities most of my life and am completely in awe of all the birds, plants, and stars that I’m encountering where I live (north of New Haven). I was awakened in the middle of the night by howling coyotes the first summer I moved here - which was a beautiful, primal entrance into this new way of life.

Included are a picture of me with a friend I made in Tomar, Portugal while visiting a 12th century church of the Knights Templar (above) and of me and my son, Oscar, living that shore life (below).