From Cameroon to the APS

I would like to thank all the people who helped me achieve my goals, and especially my supervisor at GA, Sterling Smith, who always encourages and supports me. My sincere gratitude also goes to a special man Orso Meneghini at GA and his kind wife Luz. He believed in me, and provided everything during my adventure so that I stayed focused on my specific objectives. I would also like to thank my fiancée, Ashley for all of her love and support.

During this journey, I have drawn strength from thinking about my continent of Africa, ravaged by war and poverty, thinking about Cameroon, where the majority of the people cannot have a daily meal. Where single and poor women like my mother are crying and do not see any light at the end of the tunnel. I also draw my strength from my older brother, Ivan, engaged in a war against the Boko Haram terrorist group in the north of Cameroon. I call him every night to make sure he is alive.

Participating in the 59^th APS Division of Plasma Physics meeting this year, as the first Cameroonian, still feels surreal to me. I am deeply honored and happy to be the first, and my mission is to make sure I won’t be the last.

As a matter of fact, my ultimate goal in life is to return to Cameroon, and teach the younger generations, as a physics professor. Using the knowledge and experience acquired, I would like to bring hope to youth all over the world. It is possible to start from Bafoussam, and be part of APS—one of the biggest physics organizations in the world.