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.