Research
Hello! My name is Holly Middleton-Spencer and I am a PhD student at Newcastle University. My PhD work focusses on Quantum Fluids and specifically the turbulence within. Although focusing on Quantum Turbulence, I have a deep interest of anything cold-atomy with a particular love of the interplay of experiments and theory. The last few months, I have focussed on the modelling of oscillatory driving of condensates, following excellent experimental work in the first generations of Quantum Turbulence . I have access to data which experimentalists do not – I can use the whole wavefunction of the system to help pin down any power laws and am currently analysing the effect of vortices within the system.
Non-Research things
I’m still on my mission to discover a sensible work life balance.
In my spare time I am a keen musician. I have studied the flute since the age of 6 and also sing. Although the flute is my primary instrument, I also study the oboe and bassoon. My “musical credits” include many concert halls in The Cotswolds and have had the amazing opportunity of performing at the Last Night of Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. I am currently (2021) preparing to perform in Verdi’s Requiem where I will sing first soprano.
I procrastinate from Quantum Fluids by studying languages. I have JLPT3 in Japanese and have some knowledge of Mandarin and German. I can read Egyptian Hieroglyphs with a basic knowledge of Hieratic Egyptian and Coptic and currently battle the mastery of Akkadian. I have a strong love of ancient mathematics and hope to one day truly contribute to the small but fascinating field.
For some peculiar reason I have a weird ability of talking my way into political events. I have worked in the UK Parliament, given a speech at the European Parliament and once got into an argument with a “prominent” politician on live TV. I then concluded that I prefer the company of FORTRAN codes to that of career politicians.
