Fifth woman earns Ph.D. in physics at FAMU and 'seat at the table'

As the lone physics graduate in Spelman College’s Class of 2009, Candace Harris was struck by the dearth of people of color, especially women, in her field.

On Saturday, Harris once again will be the only one – this time, fulfilling a personal goal that was nearly derailed – as she is awarded her doctorate in physics during Florida A&M University's fall commencement ceremonies.

Harris becomes the 22nd student and the fifth black woman to earn a Ph.D. in physics from the university.

Not a bad milestone for the little girl who became enamored with stars and galaxies as she browsed through her mother's copy of “Science and the Bible.” 

Now 32, she remembers the telescope her father bought that she used to observe the Hale-Bopp comet when she was in elementary school.

And, even a teacher who helped light a spark for science.

“Once in high school, I took a course in biology and I did very well on the genetics and chromosome exam,” Harris said, “A teacher mentioned to my parents that I might want to go into engineering.”

She was sitting in a conference room at FAMU’s Center for Plasma Science and Technology in Innovation Park. Inside the spacious center is an elaborate laboratory where Harris conducts her research in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and its application in nuclear physics.

She credits the encouragement from her parents, the endorsement of teachers and an innate interest in the marvels of science that helped lay the foundation for her next step.

Following graduation, the California native returns to her home state to start a post-doctoral fellowship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. During a previous one-year stint at Lawrence Livermore, a prominent black physicist suggested she apply to FAMU for doctoral studies.

Lawrence Livermore is one of the world’s leading research centers in developing breakthroughs in science and technology as it relates to reducing the country’s global threat from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction. Its primary sponsors are the National Nuclear Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy.

“God is good,” Harris said of what she’ll be thinking Saturday at the Lawson Center. “He will honor your appetite for success. To God be the glory.”

Harris, a first-generation college graduate, is a faithful Christian. Her mother is an evangelist at Acts Full Gospel Church of God In Christ in East Oakland, California, where her late father was an elder. She also is a song leader at Jacob Chapel Baptist Church in Tallahassee.

Even as she has delved deeper into science, Harris has found that her studies reinforced rather than undermined her faith.

“I believe that physics is man’s attempt to understand the nature of God,” she said. “I believe everything points to Him. All the questions that we have pointed to Him."

The journey begins

When considering undergraduate studies, Harris applied to some of the country’s top engineering schools, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California at Berkeley.

She also applied to Spelman, the oldest historically black college for women in the country. Her mother encouraged Spelman, suggesting it would offer her a majority black environment, unlike her previous settings where she often was the only black student.

She chose the Atlanta private college, which offered a dual-engineering program with Georgia Tech and other universities. She did well in classes, was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and president of the Society of Physics Students chapter.

But when she didn’t make the competitive cut for Georgia Tech to continue her engineering program, she declared physics as her major, having already taken several courses and earned her bachelor’s degree.

 Intrigued by nuclear physics, she again applied to the University of Massachusetts Amherst as well as other universities.

UMASS shock

She entered the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the dual master’s/Ph.D. track, where she was exposed to advanced research settings and the chance to study at the Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory in Virginia.

But she struggled in an environment vastly different from the one at Spelman.

“I actually had a very difficult time,” Harris said. “I initially was starting my Ph.D. in physics and I didn’t have too much support. Coming from a predominantly black college to a PWI (predominantly white institution), it was tough.”

Harris says the science research field remains a male-dominated environment, which makes it difficult for women – especially women of color– to get noticed.

“The study of physics is beautiful, but the culture can be very abrasive and non-welcoming,” she said. “It’s like you are trying to fit into the Big Boys Club and you are not a big boy.”

In 2013, she earned her master’s at UMass in physics, then taught school for a while in Massachusetts and California.

“I wanted to go back to get my Ph.D.,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if I was fit to go back to get my Ph.D.”

Finding support at Florida A&M

Her career got a boost when she was appointed a scholar at Lawrence Livermore. There, she flourished and published papers on laser-induced plasmas. She worked with some of physics' brightest minds, including Manyalibo “Ibo” Matthews, a leading black physicist and group leader, who had earned his doctorate in physics from MIT.

Matthews was familiar with FAMU and suggested Harris apply to its doctoral program in physics.

Harris was intrigued by Physics Professor Lewis Johnson’s research in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Plasma Physics and Applications at FAMU. She also knew Staci Brown, who earned her Ph.D. in physics under Johnson's supervision. Brown is a research physicist for the National Nuclear Security Administration at the Pentagon.

Harris is the fourth FAMU student to earn a Ph.D. under the supervision of Johnson, an associate provost for student success and strategic initiatives.

“I'm very proud of Candace,” Johnson said. “She is a very hard-working and driven individual. Candace continues the strong legacy of FAMU physics students working for the various national laboratories.”

Over the past three years, Harris has published several papers, conducted extensive research, earned numerous accolades and traveled internationally to participate in a conference on women and science.

'Seat at the table'

Being a science major at FAMU has its perks. The university is a magnet for national laboratories, government agencies and corporations recruiting minorities in STEM fields. The National Science Foundation ranks FAMU the No. 1 public institution producing black scientists and engineers.

“That’s a big reason why I came here,” Harris said. “Science, technology, engineering, mathematics, those disciplines are highly sought after. Agencies are looking to diversify, and we bring good ideas to the table.”

Professors, such as Johnson and others, also have been successful in securing national grants for research.

“I knew coming here I had to work hard,” Harris said. “FAMU doesn’t have the same reputation as the PWIs or Ivy Leagues, but FAMU has a lot of resources and if you know how to crack into those, you should be good to go. I knew if I did the work, I would get a good job. I would get a seat at the table.”

Contact senior writer Byron Dobson at bdobson@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @byrondobson.

FAMU and FSU Saturday graduation schedule:

Florida A&M University holds its commencement at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Lawson Center.

Florida State University’s commencement also is 9 a.m. at the Tucker Civic Center.