Heather Watson has come a long way since her days as a graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but the Capital Region has always had a special place in her story.
A native of Canada, she came to the area to pursue her Ph.D., where she met her husband, Matt. After graduation, the couple moved around the country for postdoctoral research and other academic opportunities, living in Washington, D.C., the Bay Area and the Chicago suburbs before returning in 2012 for Matt’s position as a physics professor at Siena College.
Today, they’re settled in Troy, just a few blocks from where they lived as graduate students. Watson joined Union in 2015 and is currently the Ralph A. Alpher Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy.
Heather Watson with her husband, Matt, and son, Isaac, at the Kennedy Space Center.
At home, Watson has a 13-year-old son, Isaac, a fluffy orange Maine Coon cat, Hector, and a goldfish that has defied the odds. The fish, who is actually white, came home in a birthday-party loot bag when Isaac was just 2 years old, and is still swimming a decade later.
When she’s not at Union, Watson enjoys cooking and baking and spending time outdoors with her family. Her favorite summer destination is her family’s cottage in northern Ontario.
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING: Definitely Wordle, my current streak is at nearly 700, so I don't want to lose by forgetting to do it. Then I carry on with several other NY Times games, Mini-Crossword, Connections, Strands and sometimes Pips or Letterboxed. Now, I also have started doing the 4x3, and Smush by Hank Green, they are a bit like connections and a word scramble game. It is a great way to get going with my first coffee in the morning, but it is a bit of a time commitment.
WHAT ARE YOU READING: I am on the second book of the Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante. This series of four novels follows the lifelong friendship of two Italian women from the 1950s until the early 2000s. It was recommended to me by one of my closest friends from college, and we try to read some of the same books every year as a way to stay in touch.
WHAT ARE YOU STREAMING: The latest season of "Ted Lasso." It is so great. I hope they do another season with the Lady Greyhounds. It has been a great show that my whole family has enjoyed.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED: The best work advice is to find ways to prioritize the tasks that are important, but not urgent (i.e. research, writing papers / grants, long term goals). You will find a way to fit the smaller, urgent tasks in when you have to. My best personal advice is to choose kindness.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD: Singing. I love it so much, but unfortunately, it isn't my hidden talent. I sing a lot when I am alone just for fun.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased): This one is just too hard. There are too many people to choose from. Mostly I would want to have dinner party guests that love good food and wine, and great conversation. I like to learn about new things, so maybe I would invite some people that do something completely different from me, maybe artists and performers.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU: I grew up in Calgary, Alberta, near the Canadian Rockies. It is really cold there in the winter, but pretty sunny, so the Schenectady winter temperatures aren't that bad for me, but the grey skies take some getting used to.
FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE: The highlight of every year for me is Steinemtz Day. I love to see and hear about all the amazing research, artistry and other scholarly work that our students have accomplished over the years. It is always inspiring for me, and I look forward to it every May. I think it comes at just the right time to give everyone a little push to finish the spring term on a high note.
I USE AI FOR…I currently use AI pretty sparingly in my own work and personal life. I sometimes use it for tasks that take a long time to do, but are easy to verify, which can save me time, but I also feel confident that it is accurate. I know that AI is becoming an integral part of many aspects of life, and I am working to keep up, but it is still a big adjustment for me.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF: Be patient, and be present.
