1% Inspiration

13. Peter Serles - Science Communication, Printing the CNano Tower, and Academic Mentorship

Episode Summary

We met Peter Serles, a PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, when he 3D printed the CNano Tower, Canada’s Smallest Freestanding Structure and shared a photo of it with the University of Toronto's Research Revealed gallery. During this episode, we talk about translating scientific ideas into useful applications or policy, the importance of a growth mindset, the tech stack of a researcher, the strange quantum behaviour of nanoscale materials, the similarities between varsity sports and the scientific profession, and why working in university governance makes life easier as a student.

Episode Notes

Introducing Peter Serles (Current PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering @ University of Toronto)

Peter Serles is a Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering specializing in the Nanomechanics of Materials supervised by Dr. Tobin Filleter at the Nano-Mechanics and Materials Lab. He is a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar (2020-2023) researching the nanomechanics of nanoscale-additive manufactured (nano-3D printed) components for nano-structural, robotics, and machine applications. He earned his M.A.Sc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, and Bachelor of Engineering Science from The University of Western Ontario.

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00:48 Peter's story leading up to pursuing Ph.D. in Nano-mechanics at UofT
• 00:06:04 Nano-mechanics research: it's application and challenges
• 00:11:19 Choosing research as pathway comparing to consulting and design
• 00:29:11 Covid research re-start committee and science communication
• 00:33:06 System thinking as a researcher
• 00:45:18 Lightning Round
• 00:59:41 Continuing to grow : collaborating outside the field and closing the gap of communication between fields
• 01:05:37 Final advice for student and talked about importance of letting yourself struggle

Notable Quotes

• "Research is a rabbit hole with no bottom to it...If you go niche enough you will become the expert of your area."  - Peter Serles, on pursuing a Ph.D. Degree.
• “Science without communication is a nerd in the lab."  - Peter Serles, on system thinking as a researcher.
• "Your growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone."   - Peter Serles, advice for undergraduate students.

Resources mentioned with Links

• University of Toronto Research Revealed Gallery
• 10,000 PhDs Project
• Nanomechanics and Materials Lab at the University of Toronto Engineering
• Canadian Science Policy Centre
• RBC Olympians Program
• Shaping Science - Book by Janet Vertesi
• The Pleasure of Finding Things Out - Book by Richard Feynman
• Peter Principle
• Science SAM - Dr. Samantha Yammine, Science Communicator
• Vanier Graduate Scholarship
• Faculty Council Standing Committee (Governance at U of T Engineering)
• U of T Engineering - Design Teams
• Advice to a Scientist

Resources for Managing Research

• Mendeley - Reference Management Software
• ORCID - digital identifier for researcher
• Google Scholar

Articles about Peter

• CNano Tower by MIE PhD candidate Peter Serles featured in U of T's Research Revealed
• MIE PhD Candidates teach engineering concepts to kids at UofT's STEM Day
• Five UofT Engineering grad students awarded Vanier Scholarship in recognition of research impact and leadership

How to get in touch Peter

• Email: pserles@mie.utoronto.ca
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pserles/

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This podcast is supported by the Hart House Good Ideas Fund, the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Engineering Alumni Network, all at the University of Toronto.

Music from Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/were-in-it-together. License code: AT02WGQJBZNM4PMH