Dr. Jena Meinecke

Dr. Jena Meinecke is an astrophysicist who studies the evolution and origins of magnetic fields. Working with the largest laser in the world, which is housed at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California, Dr. Meinecke also works with a research team at Oxford to better understand the origins of galactic and intergalactic magnetic fields. 

Meinecke describes magnetic fields as the “invisible glue that holds objects in the universe together.” Using the NIF laser, Meinecke and her team re-create “powerful astrophysical events such as supernovas” to study and recreate the forces and behaviors needed in the universe to create magnetic fields, which usually develop over hundreds of years. Her team cuts this time into fractions of seconds.

Dr. Meinecke is featured in many publications and several informative documentaries related to the work of her and her team, one of which is available here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4994784/. In 2014, Dr. Meinecke’s work was published in Nature Physics and named one of the Top 10 Breakthroughs by Physics World. 

Currently on sabbatical here in the US, Dr. Meinecke is active on Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. She is an outspoken supporter and advocate for women in Physics, and works to combat the “Imposter Syndrome” effects felt by many women in male-dominated fields. Graduating from community college, and only stumbling into physics after accidentally signing up for a physics course while an undergraduate, Dr. Meinecke’s story and current work is a testament to the power of determination and hard work.

Learn more about Dr. Meinecke here:

https://nationalspaceacademy.org/previous-keynote-speakers/428-dr-jena-meinecke

https://jenameinecke.com/