Amandeep Kaur

As a Ph.D. candidate in physics at UC Davis, Amandeep Kaur is also a proactive member of campus committees and leadership. She is the Graduate Student Assistant to the Dean and to the Chancellor for 2013 - 2014.

Her work focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics, effects of core polarization on dielectric properties, phonons, quasi particle energies, and more. "I like physics because it's more conceptual; you can see direct applications," explains Kaur. However, she also works beyond the confines of physics, overlapping in chemistry and programming, one of her self-taught accomplishments. "When you're into your Ph.D. program, you just learn a lot of things on your own," says Kaur.

She works with her advisors Distinguished Professor of Physics Warren Pickett and Professor of Chemistry and Physics Giulia Galli. She also has had collaborations with researchers at Brookhaven National Lab, located in New York. Having achieved her undergraduate and master's degrees in India, one of the deciding factors in attending UC Davis was the immense diversity she found here. Part of her success thus far is attributable to the support system she has found in the people on campus. Through collaboration with mentors and peers, she has been able to build on a variety of skills. "What we do in a Ph.D. program is very entrepreneurial.We learn to take initiative, spearhead ideas and programs. I think all of these skills are transferable to any goal," expresses Kaur.

Her forward-thinking and drive as an autodidact presents itself in her current work and collaborations, and is equally apparent in her advocacy ambitions for equal access to education, especially for women around the globe.

"I want to work on education policies, programs to strengthen and empower women through my own education," says Kaur. "I think my education and credentials will be very helpful."In November 2012 Kaur spearheaded a campaign along with the members of Chancellor's Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board (CGPSA) for international Ph.D. students to address the policy on nonresident supplemental tuition. She circulated a petition along with the other members which was well-received by UC Davis administration. In April Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter agreed to cover the cost of nonresident tuition for Ph.D. students who have advanced to candidacy.

She is currently Chair of Chancellor's Graduate and Professional Students Advisory Board, Chair of Graduate Ally Coalition, Ex-Officio member of Graduate Student Association Executive Council, Graduate Student Representative of Graduate Council, and part of Campus Council on Community and Diversity.

She has received support from the Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship and is the recipient of a travel award from Graduate Studies on top of the aid she receives from her current position as GSADC. She is also the recipient of the "Outstanding Graduate Student Leader Award," nominated by members of CGPSA.

Though she enjoys salsa, freestyle, and ballroom dancing in her free time, she finds interacting with others in her leadership roles as the most rewarding kind of fun. "It's my outlet," says Kaur.