Academic X’cellence: Sharing stories from our inspiring StFX community
It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with StFX that our campus is filled with highly engaged students, educators, researchers, and leaders. Academic X’cellence shines a spotlight on members of our educational community to find out more about their unique experiences—both inside and outside of the classroom. (To see the full series, please click HERE.)
Here we meet Keely Ralf of Jasper, AB, a fourth year physics advance major, who is also completing a minor in computer science. Keely has long been involved in student research. She is the recipient of a Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) student research award and, in October 2024, presented her work at the Canadian Undergraduate Physics conference CUPC at the University of British Columbia. In 2024, she also won the student choice award at the Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference (AUPAC). Keely has helped develop content for an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook for first year physics. She is co-president of the StFX Physics Society, and has led tours of the StFX Observatory. Additionally, she tutors local girls at the high school in physics, math, and chemistry, building their science skills and self-confidence.
Keely Ralf: “Research helped me discover my love for computational physics.”
What drew you to physics?
I have always loved science and math, specifically astronomy. I always loved the night sky; I got my first telescope when I was in Grade 6. In my first year at StFX, I was deciding between physics, math, and chemistry. All would have been great choices. However, it was my first year professor who inspired me to go into physics. He encouraged me to be curious and answer questions on why things act the way they do, and to be skeptical. What surprised me about my academic choices is my minor in computer science. I went in with the assumption I was not going to like it, however, after my first class I was hooked. I love the process of methodically working through problems and debugging code. I now do research where I use my coding skills to help answer question in physics.
Have you had a favorite class?
I don’t think I have one favorite, but I have two that stand out. I enjoyed first year physics classes with Dr. Mark Baker. He was passionate about the subject making me excited to go to class and he made a difficult subject comprehensible. This class solidified for me to study physics. The other class that has been a standout is statistical mechanics. This is no surprise because I do research in this area. My professor and research supervisor Dr. Peter Poole did an incredible job making the class engaging. I loved the challenge that this class brought, and I could make connections to my research while learning this topic. The classes I am drawn to are the ones where the professors are passionate about the subject and bring excitement into the lectures.
Talk about some of your highlights, involvements, and accomplishments?
I have had many incredible highlights over my time at StFX. I have been really involved in research at StFX. After my first year, I helped develop content for an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook for first year physics. Under the supervision of Dr. Baker, I wrote approximately 600 pages consisting of descriptions, equations, and diagrams of the material for PHYS 121 and 122. This is a proud accomplishment because it taught me that I can do daunting tasks. It helps in my studies when I get overwhelmed knowing that if I break down my tasks, I can get them done. I presented this research at The Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference (AUPAC) in 2023, which was a great opportunity to grow.
Summer after second and third year, I worked for Dr. Poole building computer simulations of the Ising model to help understand phase transitions. After my first summer I presented my research of “Finding Supercritical Harbingers of the Critical Point in the Ising Model” at AUPAC 2024, winning the student choice award. This was a highlight of my time at StFX. Not just because of the award but because I got to go with 15 incredible physics students in my department, who did amazing jobs presenting their research. It is inspirational to be in classes and do research with intelligent and driven people who I look up to.
This past summer when I worked on another project with Dr. Poole, a “Pump-Prob Analysis of a Phase Transition in Water: A Case Study Using the Ising Model,” I was awarded a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) grant to perform this research. This research was a build on my last summer’s research. I recently got the remarkable opportunity to go to the Canadian Undergraduate Physics conference CUPC at the University of British Columbia in October to present my research. This opportunity was eye-opening to all the different applications in physics. The incredible research that students from across the country were doing was fascinating. This was my favourite opportunity from my time at StFX.
On top of research, I was the vice-president last year and co-president this year of the physics society, helping plan social evenings, running tutorials for first year, and helping plan the attendances of StFX students to AUPAC in February. Also, I have served on the appeals committee for StFX. I have found this very rewarding and have learned a lot about leadership and how to navigate tough situations. Additionally, I tutor local girls at the high school in physics, math and chemistry, building not only their skills in science but their self-confidence as they move through their formative years, and hopefully inspiring the upcoming generation of women in STEM.
Do you feel your student research experience impacted your studies?
Before doing research, I was unsure what I wanted to do with a physics degree. The benefit of physics is that there are so many paths to take, however, without a clear path it can be daunting. I found that research helped me discover my love for computational physics. Being able to build computer simulations to explain physical phenomenon’s is fascinating. Research has really helped me clarify my path I want to pursue next and equip me with the tools I need to succeed once I graduate.
Do you have a path in mind for after StFX?
I want to continue to pursue my passion of computational physics with a master’s degree in physics, scientific computing, or data science. Only time will tell where I will end up.
Is there an opportunity that stands out for you?
Excluding all the incredible opportunities I have had from research at StFX. The opportunity that makes me excited is when I organized and went to New Brunswick to see to total solar eclipse with my peers. This was not only a bucket list item but much more memorable because of the people I got to go with. We were able to have over 20 students see the total eclipse. I have always had a passion for astronomy. It has been great to be able to continue my passion for astronomy at the StFX Observatory, where I learned to operate the telescope and give tours of the night sky to the public. My time at the observatory allows me to share my passion for astronomy with others and give back to the wider community.
Would you have advice for a first year student?
My advice is to think about what you would like your legacy to be. What do you want to be known for by the time you finish at StFX? It does not have to be big; you don’t need to make a massive change. Be the person to hold the door for your peers, talk to one new person in each of your classes, or give one person a compliment every day. Think of something you can actively do to make StFX a better place than when you found it. If everyone does something positive, these actions will add up and make the community around you better.
