The solar system as the guiding theme of her studies
After completing a Master's degree in astrophysics in Liège and in Madrid, Sarah worked for a year at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands. She studied the trajectories of shooting stars, as part of a contract between her Master's and PhD degrees.
Then, she started a PhD at the University of Bordeaux in October 2021. Her research focused on the early phases of solar system evolution. In particular, she analyzed the influence of dynamics, i.e. the motions of solar system bodies, on the composition of planets, including the Earth.
"Early in the history of the solar system, a dynamic instability between the giant planets led to a bombardment of comets on Earth. I studied this cometary bombardment by assessing what is physically plausible – using computer simulations – but also chemically – using isotopic measurements in the laboratory."
To carry out her research, Sarah benefits from the expertise of four laboratories: the Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Bordeaux (LAB) and the University of Bristol for computer simulations, and the Institut de Physique du Globe in Paris and the Laboratoire de Physique des 2 infinis de Gradignan (LP2I) for meteorite analysis.
"My thesis subject is interdisciplinary, at the interface between dynamics and geochemistry. This has sometimes been a challenge, particularly in terms of jargon and methodology, but it has also enabled me to build a coherent scientific narrative by crossing points of view. This collaboration between four laboratories was both necessary and enriching. I got the results I wanted, and even went beyond them."
Special international jury award
Last June, Sarah took up the challenge of presenting her thesis in fifteen minutes during the thesis prize auditions. “I’m used to participate in scientific outreach initiatives on general topics but preparing the thesis prize was a unique exercise, for which I chose a new approach. I had to explain my contribution on a very precise subject in the simplest way possible, to a jury with different academic backgrounds". Sarah convinced the jury, who awarded her the Special international jury award.
“This award is an opportunity to highlight my work. I would like to become a researcher or lecturer, so it’s a real boost to pursue my career in research.”
Sarah has been pursuing a post-doctorate at the Collège de France in Paris, where she has been studying the solar system, this time focusing on Mars. She is also keen to continue her scientific outreach initiatives and runs a dedicated Instagram account: @easyspacy!