Dimona Videnlieva

Why did you decide to study at the University of Edinburgh? Where did your interest in science come from? 

I have always enjoyed science, although physics was actually my least favourite subject when I was around 13, as I found it quite boring at the time. Thankfully, I had an excellent physics teacher in high school who encouraged me to join the physics club. It gave me the chance to carry out experiments and see how engaging physics is in practice, and my interest only grew from there.

Choosing to study Physics at the University of Edinburgh was largely instinctive. I fell in love with the city when I first visited and could easily imagine myself living there. The decision was especially straightforward when combined with the University’s strong ranking in physics and astronomy.

How did you get to where you are now? Tell us about your PhD.

During my degree, I developed an interest in applying physics to healthcare. I took relevant courses such as Medical Physics and Scientific Image Analysis, and attended related events and lab tours. What really confirmed this direction was my final-year dissertation, where I used physics to image biological samples and explore their potential for low-cost diagnostics. The satisfaction and happiness I got from completing this project showed me how much I enjoy doing research, and that applying physics to healthcare is what I wanted to pursue.

I am currently undertaking a PhD in Physics at the University of Glasgow, focused on developing advanced imaging systems for cardiac samples. I came across the PhD advert somewhat by chance. In my final year, I attended the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics 2025 and stayed in touch with people I met there. One of them, from the University of Glasgow, shared the PhD opportunity with me. When I read the description, I was immediately drawn to it, and it also aligned well with what I was looking for more broadly, including having two female supervisors and being based in Scotland. Similarly, to how I decided on Edinburgh, my heart was set on this PhD so I was thrilled when I was accepted.

So far, my first year has involved a wide range of exciting work, including building a complex microscope, demonstrating in an undergraduate course, and helping to organise a conference.

What did you gain from your time at the university? Were there any experiences that particularly prepared you for life after graduation? 

I have always found it difficult to say no, which meant that during my time at university I took on a wide range of roles, all of which have proved valuable. I developed my public speaking skills through my work as a Student Ambassador, gained formal project management training in my Administrator role, and built strong technical foundations through my course that I use to this day (e.g. working with lasers, scientific image analysis etc and more). Beyond academic and professional development, I formed friendships and discovered new hobbies, such as archery, that I would never have tried otherwise. Overall, my time at university truly helped me grow both professionally and personally, and has prepared me well for my current work.

Do you have any highlights or favourite memories from your time at the School of Physics and Astronomy?

While there have been many memorable moments throughout my degree, the highlight was my graduation ceremony at McEwan Hall. It felt like a real culmination of five years of hard work, shared with all of my peers. I was also fortunate to be selected as the Student Orator, which made the experience even more special. The ceremony itself was both beautiful and meaningful, and the setting made it truly unforgettable!

What do you wish you had known as a student? 

There’s a lot of pressure as a student to achieve the best possible grades, as if they define your worth and determine your entire future. In reality, it’s okay not to be perfect. What matters more is that you take pleasure in the exciting science you are learning and grow along the way.