Discussion Questions with Dr. Sergei Smirnov:
-Did your undergraduate and graduate education help determine what research you are doing now?
I got my undergraduate degree in Physical Chemistry and my graduate degree in Physical Chemistry, so I am working in my field of study. But, the history of my research has had many different steps, and it has evolved into what it is now.
-Then, is what you want to research restricted by funding?
Being able to do research is always restricted by people and money. My pocket is not that deep, and you need to find financial support. Also, your research is only as good as the people who do it with you.
-Do you enjoy what you research?
Even when you are 60 or 70 years old, you are still like a child who plays with a favorite toy, only someone is paying you to do it. I have always known that I wanted to do something with science, and I like to learn from mother nature and apply it to my research.
-What was the most important decision you have made that got you where you are now?
I prefer to to accept a situation (research outcome, etc.), get the best out of it, and then look to the future. I do not think there was one decision that got me to where I am now, I think it was a lot of tiny decisions that led to me what I do now. When you are doing research, you want to do what interests you but you also need to look into what is currently funded. You try to get a research position that falls into both categories. I have also learned not to regret anything in my life, because all of my decisions have led me to where I am now. The three rules I have learned from life: never give up, never regret, the rest is technicalities.
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