"Many outstanding scientific discoveries have been made through mistakes."
Reza is an I-Form researcher based at IT Sligo.
Growing up
Do you remember what you wanted to be (when you grew up) when you were 5 years old?
I wanted to be an astronaut, to see the universe and experience beyond the Earth, among stars and planets.
Same question at age 15?
As I was growing up, I became interested in engineering. Therefore, I decided to choose engineering as my future career.
What hobbies did you have as a teenager?
As a teenager, nothing could entertain me more than watching a good movie or reading an exciting book. I spent a lot of time in libraries reading sci-fi books by great authors such as Jules Verne and Isaac Asimov.
College days
What did you study at college, and where?
I studied mechanical engineering in my local college in Iran. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, I went on to study for a master's degree in mechanical engineering at Shiraz University, also in Iran.
How did you choose the college courses you applied for?
The higher education system in Iran is a bit different to Ireland. A national entrance exam must be taken to get into universities. Then the course and the college is selected based on the results of the exam.
What is your fondest memory of college days?
My fondest memory of college days is spending time and having fun with my friends in student accommodation. I cannot stop smiling when I reminisce about those memories.
The present
How would your parents describe what you do?
They would say that "Reza is researching how to make things smarter and more efficient."
How would your friends describe what you do?
My friends would say that "Reza is researching how to expand the frontiers of knowledge"!
What do you actually do?
I am planning to use the technology of 3D printing to fabricate high-performance cooling systems for engineering applications. These applications include the cooling of the manufacturing process, electronic cooling, and aerospace applications.
Why or how did you choose your current role?
I searched for PhD positions related to my interest on the internet. I applied for many positions and I got three acceptances from three different research institutes. I decided to accept my current role as a PhD researcher at IT Sligo.
If an alien came to Earth right now and demanded you describe what you do in one sentence, what would you say so that they would understand?
I would say I am trying to improve the efficiency of mechanical and electrical systems.
Tell me something cool about being a researcher.
To me, the coolest thing about being a researcher is that you can turn mistakes into learning or discovery. Many outstanding scientific discoveries have been made through mistakes. Some examples of these scientific discoveries are X-rays, radioactivity, penicillin, and Insulin.
The future
What would you like to be doing in 10 years' time?
I would like to establish a research-based company in the field of energy.
If we could time travel to 2050 and you had to choose a job to do right now (real or imagined), what would it be?
I would be an astronaut, travelling in space. Then I might be able to find answers for questions such as where did we come from? and how did the universe form?