A Congolese geophysicist tells his journey, from a schoolboy to a professional, through a student at the university of Lubumbashi
From a young age, my mother involved me in her daily inventory calculations after her sales, unknowingly laying the foundation for my deep attachment to science. This seemingly simple activity sparked a love and passion for the mathematical, physical, and chemical sciences.
During my high school years, I chose the science stream, specifically focusing on math and physics, with the goal of pursuing my studies in geological science at the university level. This decision was strongly influenced by my physics and descriptive geometry teacher, Mr. Seraphin, and the encouragement of my friend Stopack.
All basic sciences for geosciences
With a solid foundation in the basic sciences from high school, I was ready to delve deeper into my chosen field. After completing my high school education, I enrolled at the University of Lubumbashi, where I graduated top of my class in geological sciences with a GPA of 13.5/20 in the 2020-2021 academic year. Geoscience, being a multidisciplinary field, incorporates all basic sciences, and this broad approach further fueled my passion.
In my second and final years at university, I developed a keen interest in courses on introductory and applied geophysics. These subjects were not just academic requirements, but a source of great excitement and intellectual stimulation. The adrenaline rush from understanding how physical laws and principles underlie various geophysical methods was unmatched.
Geophysical consultancy
After earning my bachelor’s degree, I began my professional career at Crust Consulting Group, a geophysical consulting firm led by Professor Etienne, who holds a PhD in geophysics. During my year and a half there, I participated in various geophysical exploration projects, including spontaneous polarization, magnetometry, and magnetotellurics. This experience provided me with practical knowledge and an exceptional background in mining prospecting, Earth physics, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We also conducted tests in gravimetry and seismic surveys.
As a result, I secured a position at Integral Maintenance Logistic as a geophysicist specializing in data acquisition and database management. Here, I worked on magnetometric and induced polarization surveys under the guidance of master geophysicist Saibal Kumar Pantanayak, who has 35 years of experience in the field. These experiences not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my appreciation for the fundamental sciences.
A choice for mathematics and physics
Sharing this journey in this article is a unique opportunity to highlight the indispensable, inseparable, and essential role of basic sciences—mathematics, physics, and chemistry—in our daily lives and professional work. While these sciences often go unnoticed, their fundamental principles are omnipresent and utilized in various applications. This realization is encapsulated in one of my favorite quotes: “Without a voice, physics and mathematics cannot claim the accolades often attributed entirely to engineers.”
Thus, this journey of passion, dedication, sacrifices, academic achievements, and scientific curiosity has been a fulfilling one. While some may see it as destiny or a predetermined path, I see it as a choice—a choice to be captivated by the love for mathematics and physics, and to pay the price for this passion. And here is the result.
Contributing editor: Raïssa Malu
This article has first been published by the African Physics Newsletter, November 2024, with the permission of the American Physical Society.
