Karma Bridgman
Aspiring Computational Astrophysicist
About Me
Passionate, Curious, and Innovative.
Those are the three characteristics that I apply to all of my interests, as I explore the frontiers of Physics, Cosmology, and Computer Science. Throughout my academic journey, I have immersed myself in the depths of astrophysics, computer science, and engineering, igniting a fervent desire to excel in these disciplines.
I intend to further pursue my research in quantum mechanics, black holes, dark matter, and particle physics at the undergraduate level, where I hope to combine sustainability and technology to design innovative solutions to better our world for generations to come.
As I share with my global community of E3 Eco Engineers Explorers, we must look to Mother Earth before we look upward to the stars.
I hope to harness the power of space data-driven climate solutions, to inspire others through my experiences of how we can use satellite data to mitigate disastrous climate events both on Earth and in space debris catastrophes.
I firmly believe in space policy regulation & space debris management, and push the boundaries of engineering & science with an ethical policy focus.
News!
I am excited to share that I have published my book Fractured Horizons - I hope you enjoy this science fiction thriller that is a tale of survival, deception, and the mind-bending paradoxes that come with breaking the laws of space and time.
I am very grateful to have been selected and invited to present my research at MIT University in the United States at the Undergraduate Research Technology Conference and Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Click here to learn more.
Research and Personal Projects
UAE Space Agency Hackathon
Computer Scientist
COP28, Dubai Expo City
Selected by UAE Space Agency to participate in global Space, AI Sustainability Hack4Climate Hackathon
Collaborated with the loss and damage team including masters students
Analyzed space satellite data and prototyped solutions
Developed artificial intelligence segmentation model using space satellite data (from Planet) using NDVI vegetation maps to track the spread of wildfires in arid regions (Palm Springs, California and Calgary, Alberta)
Investigated results of the segmentation model to predict high-risk factors for the spread of wildfires
Selected to present design process and hackathon solution to industry leaders and the UAE Space Agency at COP 28
Cambridge, UK
Cambridge Centre for International Research (CCIR)
Worked with Professor Bart Ripperda (Assistant Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Toronto) on the topic of ‘Astrophysics of High-Density Objects: Plasma, Black Holes and Matter’.
Using Maxwell’s theory of electrodynamics to develop numerical algorithms to numerically calculate charged particle motion in electromagnetic fields. Developed ‘Boris Particle Pusher’ using Python to calculate and simulate the motion of particles in given magnetic and electrical fields.
Granted STEM Scholarship which is given to 10% of successful applicants. Awarded ‘Spotlight Scholar’ for outstanding research and results from tests for known orbits for the gyration of an electron in a magnetic field (see video below)
Created and implemented algorithms under the MENA region’s Director of Technology to semantically analyze and classify product reviews; determined factors leading to high or low ratings; shared results with management
Utilised natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning to complete projects.
Amazon
Internship - Semantic Analysis of Amazon Reviews
American University Dubai
Working under Professor Peiman Kianmehr (Chair of Civil Engineering department at AUD) investigating water permeability of concrete to mitigate flooding in high traffic areas of Dubai during rain.
Researching compressive strengths and porosity of commonly available concrete and impact of low plasticity sand on clogging concrete pores using ‘The Rational Method’ linked node modeling and frequency analysis.
See how this research was Implemented on campus at Dubai College
Dubai College Higher Project Qualification
Theories for the End of the Universe
Researched and wrote a dissertation on theories for the end of the universe and current scientific measures for the universe's acceleration. I analyzed the influence of dark matter and energy on the acceleration of the universe and its correlation to predicted outcomes of the universe including the Big Crunch, The Rip, and The Big Freeze.
Achieved A*, 39/40 at GCSE for quality of research.
Working under Professor Peiman Kianmehr (Chair of Civil Engineering department at AUD) investigating water permeability of concrete to mitigate flooding in high traffic areas of Dubai during rain.
Researching compressive strengths and porosity of commonly available concrete and impact of low plasticity sand on clogging concrete pores using ‘The Rational Method’ linked node modeling and frequency analysis.
Water Permeable Concrete
American University Dubai
Dubai College Extended Project Qualification
Space Debris Removal
I am writing a 10,000 word dissertation on the effectiveness of current technologies and topologies in mitigating the adverse effects of space debris in our upper atmosphere. I am looking into:
- Current causes of space debris
- Effectiveness of policies and government regulatory systems for commercial satellites
- Independently redesigning common satellite components to reduce waste on a large commercial scale
Academic Achievements
Cambridge University, UK
Cambridge Research Symposium
Selected as a top 1% of global applicants to present my research on particle acceleration within electric and magnetic fields and computational methods using the Boris Particle Pusher Algorithm for a distinguished audience of professors and 10 Nobel Laureates in science at the Cambridge University International Research symposium.
Georgetown University, WA
John Locke Public Policy Symposium
1/28 selected of 800 applicants after a application and interview process
Completed an interdisciplinary 2-week on-campus program that fostered an understanding of the forces that govern the interactions between people and nations including the political relationships between nation-states, economic relationships across borders, and the legal and ethical considerations of globalization.
Dubai College
Pearson High Achievers Award (High School)
Achieved A*s (top 9% of all British students worldwide) in 10 subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, English, Economics, Design & Technology, Mandarin
Currently studying Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science and Design & Technology at A-Level
Harvard Model Congress, Model United Nations
Competitive Debater
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Participated in 14 conferences including:
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2025 HMC Head Delegate, Honorable Mention United Nations Security Council across 350+ students from 20 schools across 12 countries
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2024 HMC, Best Delegate Award across 300+ students from 23 schools across 10 countries
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2023 HMC, Closing Speaker Award and Honorable Mention
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2022 AUDMUN
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2022 MUN, Best Delegate
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2021 HMC
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2020 HMC, Best Delegate
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Dubai College
President, Dubai AI Society
Expanded AI Society from 1100 to 1400 to members across 5 to 8 countries through partnerships with international youth organizations. Created learning content through activities, lesson plans and presentations that cover advanced AI theory such as Neural Networks, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Generative AI and Radio Access Networks. Currently hosting sessions at Dubai College and live after-school sessions weekly to 30+ kids aged 11-16 on a weekly basis.
Cornell University Course - 'The Universe' 1105
Earned 4 university credits with a grade of A in ‘The Universe’, an astrophysics and scientific thinking course which involved a physical lab component, as well as theory.
Discussed and produced a dissertation on the evolution of atomic theory and the evolution of quantum atomic theory over time
PHYSICS OLYMPIADS, AWARDS AND UKMT
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Cambridge Centre for International Research Spotlight Scholar - for outstanding research on particle accelerator program
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BPho Physics Olympiads: 3 x silver
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UKMT: 2 x Silver, 1 x Gold in intermediate and senior category
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Senior Editor of QUANTUM - school science paper read by 1100+ students anually
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STEM Talks Speaker - gave a presentation to students in grades 7, 8, and 9 about the use of biomimicry design in space
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Civics Innovators Fellowship, Civics Unplugged non-profit
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Selected for 3-month, 45 hours, civic leadership program developing systems thinking, and community-based problem solving; collaborated with cohort of international students
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Researched and completed case study of social enterprise focused on sustainable business practices
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Sustainability Society Speakers' Prize: presented findings to the Principal and Senior Leadership Team on my school’s water usage and proposed recommendations to reduce water waste
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Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award: completed service, physical, skill, and expedition/orienteering exercises
