Beyond the Lab Coat - Hamed Pourkheirollah (Tampere University)

Did you dream of becoming a scientist as a child? If not, what was your childhood dream job?
As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a policeman or a pilot. Later, around the age of 10–12, I wanted to be a professional football player! But during high school, I realized how much I enjoyed mathematics and the electrical parts of our physics courses. That curiosity eventually led me to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at university.

What inspired you to pursue science?
In our culture, higher education is deeply valued, partly thanks to our ancient Persian literature, which celebrates knowledge and learning. One of my favorite verses by the poet Ferdowsi says: “He who has knowledge has wisdom, and education makes even the old feel young.” I’ve always been inspired by that mindset and wanted to keep learning and growing through science.

What do you love most about being a scientist today?
What I enjoy most is trying new ideas in the lab and seeing how we can improve things step by step. It’s also incredibly motivating to work with smart people from different projects and meet talented students and researchers every year, that energy keeps me curious and inspired.

What’s one myth about scientists you’d love to bust?
There’s this idea that scientists aren’t good at sports! I’d love to break that stereotype! I play amateur football in my free time, though I admit it’s still a challenge to fully convince people otherwise!

What’s the weirdest or most unexpected thing you’ve learned in your field?
One of the most surprising things I’ve learned is that the peer-review process isn’t always fair or helpful. Sometimes reviewers’ comments can feel arbitrary. I think the whole review system could be improved, maybe by paying reviewers to ensure more thoughtful and constructive feedback.

What’s your favorite non-science hobby?
Definitely playing amateur football. It’s my favorite way to relax, compete, and stay active.

If science were a movie genre, what would your research be?
I’d say scientific, of course! Maybe with a touch of thriller when experiments finally work after days of troubleshooting.

What is your favorite movie?
I’m a big fan of mafia classics like The Godfather, Once Upon a Time in America, and The Irishman. Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci are legends. I also enjoy Tarantino’s films like Pulp Fiction and The Hateful Eight. However, recently, I’ve been watching a long Finnish series called “The New Day” to improve my Finnish language skills!

What’s your favorite book?
Animal Farm by George Orwell, a timeless story with layers of meaning that still feel relevant today.