Dr Sean Richards has become the first known Sāmoan to graduate with a PhD in Physics from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, after an academic journey that began with plans to work in video game development.

Dr Richards graduated on 22 September after completing doctoral research using advanced computer simulations to better understand how stars evolve, exchange material with companion stars and end their lives in supernova explosions.

The research helps astronomers model the formation of neutron stars and other extreme cosmic phenomena.

Growing up in Kerikeri in the Bay of Islands, they had been interested in astronomy since childhood but initially chose Computer Science with the aim of entering the video game industry.

Physics papers taken alongside the degree quickly changed that direction.

"I had done reasonably well in High School Physics, so I decided to take PHYSICS 120 and 150," Dr Richards said.

"And since I had enjoyed astronomy since childhood—having read the Reader's Digest Children's Atlas of the Universe cover-to-cover several times—I also took PHYSICS 107G (now called ASTRO 100G)."

Lectures from Professor Richard Easther, Associate Professor Nick Rattenbury and Professor Jan Eldridge helped turn that interest into a new academic path, with Richards deciding to major in physics after only a few classes.

The journey was not straightforward, with doubt emerging during the second and third years and a GPA that fell short of the threshold for Honours.

They instead enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma in Science and completed a research project with Associate Professor Rattenbury on Taringa, the University of Auckland satellite ground station.

A near-fail in Advanced Quantum Mechanics later became another turning point.

Determined to improve, Richards went on to achieve an A+ and equal first-in-course in Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Field Theory.

That was followed by a theoretical and computational Master of Science project with Professor Eldridge before a PhD under Professor Eldridge and Associate Professor Rattenbury.

Dr Richards described the path through university as one shaped by changing interests and opportunities.

"It was a very meandering path through University, I feel like I fell into where I am now by chance or providence," they said.

"I use the handle @ordinarystarman on a lot of social media platforms, because I truly feel like I am 'just an ordinary person' who fell in love with the stars."

The PhD milestone also became part of a wider journey of reconnecting with Sāmoan heritage.

Sean, whose family connections include Vailima, Moto'otua and Saleimoa in Sāmoa as well as England, found another connection through working as a teaching assistant in the Tuākana programme about five years ago.

The role also highlighted the low number of Pasifika students they had encountered during earlier studies.

"I hadn't seen many (if any) Pasifika students in the courses I took, other than my general education papers," Dr Richards said.

The significance of completing the PhD became clearer while preparing to submit the thesis.

University of Auckland figures show 5,955 PhDs were awarded between 2001 and July 2021, including 42 completed by Sāmoan students.

Across the Faculty of Science, 56 Māori and Pacific doctoral graduates completed PhDs during that period, including two Sāmoan scholars.

The connection between Pacific peoples and the stars added another layer to the achievement.

"I'm the first known Sāmoan to graduate with a PhD in Physics from the University, and as far as I know the second Pasifika person ever," Dr Richards said.

"I think it's very special to note that the first Sāmoan Physics PhD was in stellar astrophysics specifically."

"Our ancestors sailed the Pacific Ocean guided by starlight, and we're now understanding the stars better than ever."

Five pages of the thesis acknowledgements were devoted to the people and communities who helped along the way, including 678 people, 15 iwi and hapū, four First Nations peoples, five countries and underrepresented students in the sciences.

Family, friends and supervisors were among those they credited most strongly.

"My life has carried a heavy list of firsts: the first in my immediate family to go to university straight after high school, the first in my family to get a PhD, and the first Sāmoan person to get a PhD in Physics at the University of Auckland," Dr Richards said.

Looking ahead, the milestone should help open the way for future generations of Pacific scientists.

"While I may have been the first, I make it my mission to ensure I am not the last," Dr Richards said.