ESP Biography



KAREN LEI, MIT Junior studying Physics




Major: Physics

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2025

Picture of Karen Lei

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Hello! I'm Karen (she/her), and I'm a junior majoring in Course 8. I'm currently working on research in condensed matter physics; previously I worked in an AMO lab (trapped ion quantum computing). I enjoy outreach and discussing cool physics with other people. Outside of academics, I enjoy rock climbing and reading about interesting scientific/technological history.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

S16010: The Fascinating Physics of Solids in Spark 2024 (Mar. 16 - 17, 2024)
Have you ever wondered what is happening within a material on an atomic level? Why can electrons move through metals but not insulators (like wood)? Come learn about the exciting field of condensed matter physics, which has led to the development of numerous technologies and innovations, such as semiconductors, transistors, and microelectronics. In this class we will cover the main conceptual ideas needed for understanding solids and introduce some advanced topics in quantum mechanics (wavefunctions, Schrodinger’s Equation, and more). Note: No knowledge of advanced physics will be assumed - we will build up everything along the way.


S16024: The Strongest Force in the Universe in Spark 2024 (Mar. 16 - 17, 2024)
The nucleus of an atom has a stable mixture of protons (with positive charge) and neutrons (with no charge). But hold on, positive charges repel each other, and neutral charges should have no effect on protons, so why aren't the protons just flying away from each other? This class will examine the strongest force of nature - the one that allows protons and neutrons to exist in the first place, binds protons and neutrons inside atomic nuclei, and constantly evades high school science curricula.


S15785: Shooting for the Stars: Notable Women in Physics in Splash 2023 (Nov. 18 - 19, 2023)
Ever wondered why no famous female physicists are mentioned in your physics classes? (Marie Curie is the exception, not the rule.) Look no further, for the Undergraduate Women in Physics club (UWiP) will patch the holes in your knowledge left by the Massachusetts education system. Join us for a fun discussion about the lives and work of renowned physicists such as Chien-Shiung Wu and Shirley Ann Jackson, and meet the coolest group of future physicists at MIT.


S15850: The Fascinating Physics of Solids in Splash 2023 (Nov. 18 - 19, 2023)
Have you ever wondered what is happening within a material on an atomic level? Why can electrons move through metals but not insulators (like wood)? Come learn about the exciting field of condensed matter physics, which has led to the development of numerous technologies and innovations, such as semiconductors, transistors, and microelectronics. In this class we will cover the main conceptual ideas needed for understanding solids and introduce some advanced topics in quantum mechanics (wavefunctions, Schrodinger’s Equation, and more). Note: No knowledge of advanced physics will be assumed - we will build up everything along the way.


S15613: Light: The coolest thing in the world in Spark 2023 (Mar. 18 - 19, 2023)
Have you ever wondered why you can't see in the dark? Heard about radio waves and x-rays? Come learn about the physics of electromagnetic waves and why light is (arguably) the most interesting thing in the world. We will also give a conceptual idea of advanced topics like Maxwell's equations and why EM waves are so useful in our daily lives (from your kitchen microwaves to your unreliable WiFi).


S14699: Intro to Game Theory and Evolutionary Biology in Splash 2021 (Nov. 20 - 21, 2021)
Have you ever wondered why animals (and humans) fight each other instead of working together? As it turns out, game theory can help us understand lots of animal behaviors and their evolutionary basis. We’ll give you a crash course in game theory concepts (Prisoner’s Dilemma, Hawk-Dove Model, etc.) and connect them to powerful examples throughout nature. May the fittest survive!