Melissa Tacy
Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar
Media Profile
“Quantum Mechanics is at the cutting edge of science and technology and so has a strong impact on society and our economy. History has shown us that understanding this theory can lead to valuable technologies such as the transistor, a vital component of modern computers.”
Melissa Tacy is currently undertaking a PhD in mathematics at the Australian National University on an Australian Postgraduate Award and Mathematical Sciences Institute Scholarship. Melissa has won a Fulbright Scholarship to undertake research at the University of California, Berkeley on the way Quantum Mechanics transforms into Classical Mechanics.
“America, in particular UC Berkeley, is home to many of the pre-eminent experts in this field”, explains Melissa. Her work will contribute towards her Australian PhD and “aims help to improve the predictive power of the current theory of Quantum Mechanics. Better understanding of such theories can lead to the development of amazing new technologies.”
Melissa’s project involves the application of cross-disciplinary approaches from Quantum Theory to pure mathematical analysis in order to determine the locations of particles in multi-dimensional spaces (known as Riemannian Manifolds).
“Working with leading researchers in Berkeley I will start by examining the simplest case of particle motion. I will combine different mathematical theories such as abstract analysis and advanced calculus with my knowledge of physics to obtain quantitative information about the particle system. Having established the behaviour of a simple system I will then examine more complex systems and behaviours.”
Melissa is a graduate of ANU with a Bachelor of Philosophy in Mathematics with First Class Honours. During her studies she has been recognised through a wide range of awards including an ANU Distinguished Scholar Award, a Bachelor of Philosophy Undergraduate Scholarship and an International Centre of Excellence for Education of Mathematics Scholarship.
Melissa believes Australia can benefit greatly from collaborating with the U.S. on exploring such topics. “Despite its small size, Australia has always managed to keep abreast of major technological advances and it is imperative we continue to do so. I hope to strengthen links between the U.S. and Australia in this field to maximise knowledge exchange.”
Another objective Melissa hopes to achieve is to learn better ways to encourage and support women in the field of mathematical sciences. For example, UC Berkeley has a Noetherian Ring, which is a group of women mathematicians who support and encourage each other. “I want to bring that idea to Australia and set it up here – it is important to affirm the value of women’s achievement in what remains a very gender-dominated field.”