The Soliloquy of the Man behind the Lab Coat
A post by HZB summerstudent Ricardo Mogollon Restrepo: “How did you overcome frustration?” The question has been haunting our protagonist, lingering since the moment he was tasked, in this thought experiment, with asking just one question to a Nobel Prize laureate. “Finally, I will discover a way to navigate the wavy, non-ending road stretching ahead, and cast aside my fear” he taught. Unfortunately, the session concluded without an answer, leaving him to grapple with the eerie presence of this unresolved feeling. As he steps into the lab, where the imminent measurements await him, he wonders “How will I be able to face this relentless frustration?” Doubt fills his mind as he puts on his safety equipment.
“Why persist? Why not retreat to safety, living each day simply, surrounded by a home, a family and a place where I’m used to? Will I be able to change anything either way?” He grabs the safety goggles and puts them on calmly. “Apparently not, I’m in a far away country in which I’m scared of speaking both English and German, failure is inevitable, why am I like this? A scientist is supposed to be adventurous”, he contemplates.
Donning the left nitrile glove first, he continues “A sparsely furnished rented home, no kitchenware, no internet and no washing machine. Should I stay where I belonged” He proceeds with the last glove “Am I good enough? Why was I selected? I mean, as far as I know protons could be the charge carriers now, not electrons, who am I to say? Self-doubt follows him slowly as he puts on the lab coat, forming a half smile “Maybe I don’t deserve any of this”
Taking a deep breath, he approaches his station and begins his measurements. Red dots representing the performance appear on the screen, representing data amidst the chaos of frustration. How does one conquer such a Herculean foe? His quest is not for fame or glory, far from that, he really just wants to learn. As the electrochemical measurement concludes, he witnesses the exponential growth curve obtained from the voltammetry study, and a big smile appears on his face. Despite everything he’s faced, he musters a soft “thank you.”
You don’t need a Nobel Laureate to tell you that being an international student, living in a place where your mother tongue is not spoken, is undeniably challenging. However, I can assure you that it’s not impossible. With every obstacle I’ve encountered, I’ve been able to push forward, fueled by my unwavering purpose of making a difference. The journey is arduous, don’t get me wrong, but what amazes me is the realization that frustration is not an unconquerable foe. Instead, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience that resides within oneself.
The experiences I’ve lived, both as an individual and as part of the incredible research group I have the privilege to work with, have left an indelible mark on my heart; The people around me and the experiments I’ve conducted have enriched my life in ways I can’t express enough. Can you believe it? I’m contributing to climate change by synthesizing metal-oxides and characterizing them. My childhood dreams are becoming a reality!
I am eternally grateful for these moments of wonder, growth, and discovery. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you all for making this adventure unforgettable! And since saying something twice is often considered a bad omen, let me emphasize it once more: THANK YOU.
