Spring 2016 convocation was extra special for Mark Freeman, professor in the Department of Physics. He watched more than 1000 science students convocate, one of whom was his daughter Pamela.
"All of our kids are smarter than me," says the Canada Research Chair in Condensed Matter Physics of his youngest child. Pam's is the fourth U of A degree earned between her and her siblings. "I am so proud. Being there at convocation with Pam was a very special moment."
On asked how he influenced her choice to study science? "I'm SUCH a nerd. I'm surprised and grateful my involvement in physics didn't have the opposite effect." In fact, Pam relays that having exposure to her father's research gave her a confidence boost and knowledge of the academic world.
"Pam's ability to do biology in addition to physics and math is like a superpower." -Mark Freeman
Though in the end she chose a double major in physics and biological sciences, Pam says she didn't feel pressured to follow in her father's footsteps. "My dad was always encouraging of my siblings and I pursuing what we were passionate about, and so while my affinity for math and physics stems from my family, he didn't pressure us or try to direct our studies." (The Freeman family scientific roots run deep: the older Freeman's father was also a professor in the Faculty of Science.)
"I hope she'll continue to find and create many opportunities to keep busy with rewarding pursuits," says Freeman of his hopes for his daughter now that she has completed her undergraduate degree. "The developments happening today in astrophysics and biology seem unprecedented. And Pam's ability to do biology in addition to physics and math is like a superpower."