{"id":342,"date":"2020-10-29T09:11:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T09:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/?p=342"},"modified":"2025-02-26T13:37:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T13:37:30","slug":"conversations-with-cassiopeia-lakin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/2020\/10\/29\/conversations-with-cassiopeia-lakin\/","title":{"rendered":"Conversations With&#8230; Cassiopeia Lakin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cassiopeia Lakin is an Electronics Technician in the School of Physics and Astronomy. She builds and tests equipment within the department and repairs any issues she identifies.<br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This issue of &#8216;Conversations with&#8230;&#8217; focuses on a member of the technical team within the department, Cassiopeia Lakin.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/me-500x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-343\" width=\"317\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/me-500x1024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/me-146x300.jpg 146w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/me.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 317px) 100vw, 317px\" \/><figcaption>Cassiopeia Elizabeth Lakin, Electronics Technician<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Can you briefly describe your role within the School of Physics and Astronomy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hi, my name is Cassiopeia Elizabeth Lakin and I work as an electronics technician in the School of Physics and Astronomy. My main role is to help with building and testing equipment for the Physics and Astronomy department. I also help with projects for the Space Research Centre as well when needed. At present I am fixing several ground based RADAR transmitters. This involves testing and analysing each transmitter and finding what is wrong with it down to a component level, and then repairing it.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What made you want to start on this career path?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have been working in this role since August 12th 2019. I am qualified in Electronics and Electrical Engineering and had previously been employed in the power industry. I was working at a power station. Due to personal issues I had been away from work for a year and was looking to find a more electronics based job. I saw the ad and applied and was so glad I did.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you could give your former self one piece of advice, what would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If I could give myself one piece of advice it would be transition earlier. You are strong enough to deal with it. <br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What is your favourite thing to do outside of work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outside of work I have a few hobbies. I do a lot of 3D printing and made an ornery whilst in lockdown (see picture below). I am a gaming streamer on Twitch and Facebook. I also play Roller Derby (when Covid restrictions allow) and collect retro gaming consoles and handheld games. I do needlework and crafting and also home brewing ales. I collect Sylvanian Families too.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/orrery-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-351\" width=\"391\" height=\"220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/orrery-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/orrery-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/orrery-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/orrery.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px\" \/><figcaption>3D Printed Orrery, made by Cassiopeia Lakin<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Do you have any pet colleagues?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have two pet rats called Thor and Rocket. I did have seven but sadly age caught up with my little friends.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"363\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/?attachment_id=363\" class=\"wp-image-363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-groot-min-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Loki and Groot<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"496\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-496x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"364\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/?attachment_id=364\" class=\"wp-image-364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-496x1024.jpg 496w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-145x300.jpg 145w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-768x1586.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-744x1536.jpg 744w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-991x2048.jpg 991w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/loki-and-thor-min-scaled.jpg 1239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 496px) 100vw, 496px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Loki and Thor<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"365\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-scaled.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/?attachment_id=365\" class=\"wp-image-365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/winnie-sarah-mary-min-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-item__caption\">Winnie, Sarah and Mary<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption\">Pictures of Cassiopeia&#8217;s pet rats.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>What is your proudest achievement (not necessarily work related)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obtaining my Honours Degree in Electronics.<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you had to describe yourself in one word what word would you choose?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Polite<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Cassiopeia also wanted to talk about how she has felt since joining the department, and said the following:<\/strong><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>I really enjoy my time at the University. The people here are very kind and always supportive of each other. They told me its like a family unit in the Physics and Astronomy department and after a year of working here I wholeheartedly agree.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>As these issues are being written during quarantine, we encouraged people to send in photos of their office\/ working from home setups, and Cassiopeias is shown below.<\/strong><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/IMG_20201007_142342_resized_20201007_022421192-min-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-373\" width=\"472\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/IMG_20201007_142342_resized_20201007_022421192-min-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/IMG_20201007_142342_resized_20201007_022421192-min-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/IMG_20201007_142342_resized_20201007_022421192-min-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/IMG_20201007_142342_resized_20201007_022421192-min-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/IMG_20201007_142342_resized_20201007_022421192-min-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px\" \/><figcaption>Cassiopeias working from home setup.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/Logo-1024x400.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-377\" width=\"220\" height=\"85\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/Logo-1024x400.png 1024w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/Logo-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/Logo-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/files\/2020\/10\/Logo.png 1137w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cassiopeia Lakin is an Electronics Technician in the School of Physics and Astronomy. She builds and tests equipment within the department and repairs any issues she identifies. This issue of &#8216;Conversations with&#8230;&#8217; focuses on a member of the technical team within the department, Cassiopeia Lakin. Can you briefly describe your role within the School of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":313,"featured_media":382,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-profiles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/313"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":386,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342\/revisions\/386"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staffblogs.le.ac.uk\/physicsastronomy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}