Sharry Kapoor is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science.

I am currently in the second year of my PhD working on the SABRE Experiment. This project is focused on the direct detection of dark matter. My research involves characterising the detector response and developing a comprehensive background model. I'm deeply motivated by the mystery of dark matter, which makes up about 85 percent of the Universe but remains unseen. What drew me to this project was the opportunity to contribute from the early stages of the experiment.

In many ways, I feel this opportunity found me. While my earlier research focused on theoretical plasma physics, I had a strong desire to transition into the field of dark matter. I came across the position through a social media post, and it immediately resonated with my interests. I was particularly inspired by Dr Fruth’s work on the direct detection of dark matter through the LZ experiment, and the chance to work with Professor Boehm – whose pioneering research first quantified the effects of dark matter interactions with Standard Model particles on the cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure – was especially compelling.

I genuinely enjoy studying at the University of Sydney. The flexibility in managing one’s own schedule fosters a healthy work-life balance, which I deeply value. I also appreciate the comprehensive support the University offers its students—whether emotional, mental, or financial. For instance, students have access to free counselling sessions, bursaries, and financial assistance vouchers. As one of the HDR representatives in the School of Physics, I aim to raise awareness among students about these valuable resources and ensure they feel supported throughout their research journey.

The most surprising thing about my studies has been the cultural and academic differences. I greatly value aspects of the culture here, particularly the emphasis on mental health support and overall well-being. At the same time, I deeply miss elements of my own culture  – the food, festivals, and the warm, vibrant nature of the community.

Academically, the contrast has been equally striking. I believe that even though Indian academia is often characterised by a high-pressure, hustle-driven culture, it has also shaped me into a hard-working and competitive person. In contrast, my experience here has taught me the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and prioritising mental well-being, which has broadened my perspective on what sustainable academic growth can look like.

I’m driven by the challenge of uncovering the nature of dark matter which constitutes roughly 85 percent of the Universe yet remains undetectable by conventional means.

Working on the SABRE detector – housed in the deepest underground laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere (SUPL) – has been an exciting and invaluable experience. Being part of the team responsible for commissioning this world-leading technology has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the detector’s design and operation. It has also provided significant insightinto the hardware aspects of the experiment, while offering a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative, team-based scientific work.

After I receive my PhD, I am particularly interested in pursuing a career in research, as I find great excitement in exploring and attempting to explain unresolved phenomena.

The field of dark matter, in particular, presents a significant gap in our understanding – not only in terms of detection, but also in uncovering its fundamental properties. I am eager to continue learning and contributing to this area of research in the future.

Dr Theresa Fruth is an experimentalist in astroparticle physics and an expert in dark atter direct detection in the Faculty of Science.

I’m an experimental particle physicist. In particular, I work with international teams to build detectors looking for the elusive dark matter. Dark matter makes up about 85 percent of matter in the universe, but we don’t know what it is made of yet. I have previously worked in the UK and joined the University of Sydney as lecturer in 2022.

Sharry is my first PhD student! While I was a postdoc in the UK I worked with many PhD students on projects, but I was never their official supervisor. Being a lead supervisor was the natural next step in my academic journey, getting the opportunity to pass on what I have learnt over the past 10 years (which is when I started my PhD).

When I did my PhD, it was similar to Sharry now, I worked on an experiment during its design and construction phase. This is often tricky because there is no data coming out from the experiment yet, but it is also very exciting because you get to actually build part of the experiment and you get to know it in much more detail than if it was already running.

Sharry’s research proposal interested me because she is working on the first underground dark matter search in Australia. That’s a very exciting project!

My advice to current PhD candidates is that coming from an undergraduate degree, it’s important to understand that the PhD is much more of a marathon than a sprint (which undergraduate terms often feel like). It’s important to find a good work-life balance that can be maintained over 3-4 years.