Finding Physics Everywhere: Ruthie Vogel’s Bridge Between Science and Policy

Ruthie Vogel’s passion for science was clear from a young age. In elementary school, a teacher observed their enthusiasm for sharing knowledge bubbling over and took the opportunity to have Vogel independently research volcanoes and present their findings to the 6th grade class. Now a rising senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physics with minors in both sustainability and international development at the University of Maryland, Vogel plans to graduate in Spring 2025. In 2023 Vogel was selected for the AIP Mather Policy Internship – a program that promotes the policy process in Washington D.C. through direct engagement in science policy issues and efforts in the nation’s capital. Vogel joined in on various briefings and hearings on Capitol Hill throughout the summer.

Vogel credits the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and its internship programs funded by donations to AIP Foundation, particularly the Mather Policy Internship named for Nobel laureate and internship benefactor John Mather, for solidifying their path in science policy. and turning feelings of imposter syndrome into confidence in being part of the next generation of scientists to do great things.

Vogel wants to help other UMD students to combine their passions for physics and policy and has been collaborating with the school’s physics department to develop a potential science policy track for their major. Now looking into physics graduate programs, they are hoping to continue doing superconducting qubit research and take a few policy-focused classes along the way.

We spoke with Vogel a few months ahead of their senior year to talk about their academic journey, their first step into the science policy world, and bringing people together with good food.

The AIP Foundation helped to fund your SPS internship. How did this internship help you in your journey as a student and as an aspiring professional in the physical sciences?

I would say my experience was unique because it was a science policy-focused internship, so I wasn’t doing research, but I did learn a lot about how physics and government are intertwined. My experience helped me gain a better understanding of what I can do with science policy and the next steps needed to make it happen. Before my internship, I knew I wanted to pursue science policy but it was sort of this vague, amorphous thing where I wanted to combine my passion for physics with helping people on a shorter time scale than just being in a lab. I like the science communication aspects of physics a lot, too. Coming out of the internship, I was sure I wanted to work in research policy, tech policy, development, and that sort of sector.

As a former SPS intern, how did SPS help you as a student? What were some highlights?

Well first, I will say that I loved my roommate! They are awesome. I worked with a few other people to organize a couple of potlucks, which was fun! I love cooking and sharing food with people. It was cool to live in DC and commute on public transportation— that’s the policy, municipal nerd in me.

Another highlight was just being in the halls of government, having my badge on, and existing in congressional spaces with incredible people. I think the coolest thing that happened was when I got to go to the committee during the first week of the internship. I mentioned that I did quantum research and suddenly found myself at a briefing for the future reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative Act. I wrote some questions that Democratic members of Congress asked the witnesses at the hearing—that was awesome. But the most captivating thing that came out of that is that I got to sit in on a meeting where the actual text of the reauthorization bill was being edited. Being there to see the different colors of text indicating different letter levels of revision comments and how the arguments of the people in the room were having were affecting the text of the law was amazing. Then seeing that go down in effect, like the research for the grants that my lab at UMD gets— it’s incredible.

Can you remember the first time you thought to yourself: “You know, I might be pretty good at this whole science thing?”

In sixth grade, I kept interrupting my class to talk about volcanoes during our Earth sciences unit. My teacher had me do an independent research project on my favorite volcano and then present it to the class so I would stop interrupting the lessons. At the time, I didn’t realize I was doing research, but it felt cool.

Can you name one of your favorite scientists?

I have so much respect for female scientists from a time before they were fully allowed to participate, and Emmy Noether did so much groundbreaking work that affected so many different areas of science. I recently found out that I share a birthday with her and I am in absolute awe of her tenacity and ability to make all of the impacts she made while having to lie that she was a different person to have to teach her classes. So that’s one.

Another one is a bit more personal: Einstein. My family is German Jewish and they escaped Germany during the Holocaust. My great-grandfather worked with Einstein to bring people to America with farm jobs available for them to fill. I grew up hearing this story and have gained more respect for Einstein through that it because it’s rare to find scientists who need to use the status of their influence to make a positive change for people in this way. Einstein using his name to help refugees and people fleeing conflicts is proof that a scientist doesn’t have to be aloof or removed from current events. As someone who is trying to combine science and policy, and wants to ensure I never lose sight of my values for my work, this story means a lot to me.

If you weren’t studying to become a scientist, what would you be majoring in? / If you could choose any career outside of the sciences, what would it be?

So many things! I could see myself being an investigative journalist. I also love public transportation, so working on transportation policy is another area I could see myself in. Other than that, I’ve always loved art, and specifically science-focused art. There is a world in which I decided to make art my career. I’m taking a screen printing class next semester for fun and I’m excited about that!

What simple physics experiment still amazes you?

I worked with interferometers last year in my optics lab. Interferometers split and recombine light using lenses and mirrors to produce interference patterns. If you do this with white light -- splitting a single source into two beams and having one beam travel slightly farther than the other -- the interference will produce a rainbow! As you change the beam’s path length, the recombining beams will form a circular rainbow radiating out from the center of your view.

Any favorite hobbies or pastimes that you’d like to spend more time doing?

I would like to spend more time creating art. One of the reasons I’m taking the screen-printing class next semester is me purposefully setting aside this time to do art. I love printmaking specifically.

What is your favorite hike in the DMV?

I have cousins that live out in Western Virginia and there is a cool hike a short drive away at Seneca Rocks! You get beautiful panoramic views and it’s right near the headwaters of the Potomac River. It is my favorite.

What are some of your favorite games?

My family and I are very competitive spades players. It is probably not a common answer from a 20-something-year-old, but I enjoy it. In terms of video games, also play Stardew Valley and Undertale. I love both of them! I have maybe spent too much time playing Stardew Valley recently.

What is your favorite thing to bake? And cook?

I’m hosting a tea party with friends soon and I’ll be making blueberry lime scones and croissants from scratch. In terms of cooking, I love a good chickpea curry because it is so easy, but you can’t go wrong with it.

What is a fictional character that you see in yourself? Why is that?

Lazlo Strange, from Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Lazlo is a librarian who is always seeking to discover more about the world and finds himself in a unique position to help solve a conflict by being able to recognize the humanity and shared stories and fears of both sides. He never stops seeing beauty in the world or in the people around him. I strive to be like Lazlo, to never stop envisioning the world as it could be and using my empathy, curiosity, and persistence to help create that world.

I heard you were in an acapella group at UMD! When singing solo these days, what is your go-to karaoke song?

The first one that pops into my head is Royals by Lorde. One of my friends picked it for me to sing the last time I did karaoke and it is fun for me as a tenor.

Is there one book that’s impacted your perspective more than others?

My favorite piece of writing isn’t a book, but I do own it in book form. It is “This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace.

One fictional book that’s really impacted me is “Babel” by R F Kuang. Though fictional, it is about the role of academia in global events and the responsibility that researchers/academics have to consider what value their work provides to society, how it impacts society as a whole, and what power structures their work is entrenching or eliminating.

The exact nature of dark matter or the existence of multiverses: Which future breakthrough will excite you the most?

Dark matter because people bring up multiverse a lot to ask ethical questions, but it often means they’re pushing off ethical decisions they should have to make themselves in their actual world. I love low-level understandings of things, so understanding dark matter and what it does would be amazing!

What would you want to say to people considering making a donation to AIP Foundation?

If you’re considering donating to places, you probably have a lot of different things that are pulling at you. If what you’re looking to do is help encourage and foster a future generation of scientists, this is probably the place to do that and make that happen. I have benefited from past contributions and want to see other people have the same opportunities in the future.

What is your six-word memoir?

Like a crow, constantly finding beauty.