Scholar Profile

Samantha O'Sullivan

Scientific Research

Biography

Samantha O’Sullivan is a Rhodes scholar and incoming PhD candidate in Physics at Oxford University. Sam graduated cum laude from Harvard college in 2022 with a A.B. in Physics and African American Studies. At Harvard she founded and led the first Generational African American Students Association, to raise awareness for the legacy of slavery at Harvard and beyond. Sam also conducted condensed matter physics research at Harvard, where she investigated the atomic structure of high-temperature superconductors in the Hoffman Group. Sam graduated from Schools Without Walls Senior High School as a Presidential Scholar, Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient, Class President, and Valedictorian.

High school:  School Without Walls Senior High School

Degrees

News and Highlights

04/01/2022 Samantha O'Sullivan (MS '18)

Going Global: Congratulations to Samantha O’Sullivan, MS ’18, on being selected as a Rhodes Scholar! As a recipient of one of the most prestigious fully funded programs in the world, Samantha will pursue a Doctorate of Philosophy (DPhil) in Condensed Matter Physics at Oxford University. As an undergraduate at Harvard, Samantha conducted research in plasma physics, nanoscale systems, and astrophysics. Outside of the lab, she advocates for social justice, through her published work on how dress codes are biased against Black girls and she founded an organization that addresses issues tied to the legacy of slavery. There is no doubt Samantha will continue using her unique multidisciplinary lens to uplift communities and advance scientific discoveries for years to come.