We bring to your attention an interview with experimental physicist Durdana Balakishieva, our compatriot, who lives in Florida (USA).
- Why did you leave Azerbaijan?
- I left in '97 to study at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics , which is located in Italy, in the city of Trieste. After graduating, I applied to doctoral Syracuse University (USA). I would not be able to enroll in a doctoral program in the United States , without having to hand this diploma and letters of recommendation from prominent professors . Although, frankly , at the time I wanted to stay longer in Europe and continue his education there, but unfortunately , I had to leave ... The spouse was asked to teach at the University of Florida, and we had to move to this state . Soon I applied to the University of Florida, where I wanted to conduct research. But my husband was against me to work , and even more to be engaged in research activities. That is why our way with him broke... Life in Florida is radically different from the fast , advanced and educated New York. Here everything is different: life is in slow frame. In New York, I complained of schooling that required more enhanced programs for my children. Florida education was worse than a factor of ten. Florida in general is a penultimate state in the level of school education in the U.S. ranking . But there are pros : weather and nature here is just amazing , despite the hurricanes and storms , a large part of the year takes place at a temperature sufficiently favorable .
- Has the road to science been a continuation of the family tradition , or are you the first in the family of people who choose this path?
- All my life I have suffered from the fact that I could not decide what to focus . In high school I loved foreign languages , music , art, sports, books . I read novels , detective stories , books on law and medicine. I loved algebra, geometry and physics. I always prepared additional materials to the lessons of history and biology. Each of the teachers advised to choose their subject as a future profession. Parents as Teachers advised to follow their example and become a doctor. I even went to a lecture at the University of Medicine and took exams ( "excellent" ) for two years while I was in school . Teachers at the university said that I have a talent . But my talent did not save me from fainting at the sight of blood. But , despite this, in the senior class , I finally decided to become a doctor , but by coincidence, and because of the difficult situation in those years in the country , I got on the Physics and Mathematics Faculty of BSU. At first I was, of course , furious, but a year later I changed my mind about this profession . Parents long convinced me to change profession , but to no avail . The only profession for which I would agree, but physics, is a lawyer, but my parents did not want to hear about that. In the end , I stayed at the Physics Department . I was the first physicist in our family.
- Experimental physicist sounds a bit extreme ...
- In the third year I chose to specialize as experimental physics , but my professor and parents were unhappy again . I remember , as the dean of the Physics Department told me about the theoretical high energy physics and that I can make a good career by choosing this path . I agreed with his arguments ... Doctorate at the University of Syracuse , I started as a theorist at the Department of High Energy Physics . But as you know , all theorists must pass at least one course in experimental physics, which I loved . Also, my professor Arnold Honig suggested making a doctorate under his leadership , saying that I have the ability to experiment , a certain flair that is rare . I decided to go to his Department of Experimental Solid State Physics . My research was carried out in several directions. The main objective was to achieve a high resolution MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), EPR (electron para magnetic resonance) and DMR (double magnetic resonance). In my experiments, I used xenon, where it is mixed with different elements , mainly oxygen. I developed a technique in which paramagnetic additives passed its polarization xenon . The idea was that the resolution magnetic resonance image after inhaling polarized xenon was much higher in the normal magnetic field of conventional 1.5 Tesla machine.
- Now you do just this study?
- I started working in Florida , then changed direction to the experimental astrophysics, began searching for " dark matter » (dark matter search), joined the collaboration CDMS. Until 2010, this experiment led to the exploration of "dark matter " and still remains so . At the moment there are very serious discussions on the results of several experiments and their accuracy. At the same time I started working on a new experiment to search for axions . This study I conducted at Fermilab near Chicago. University of Florida and the laboratory sponsored the draft Solid Xenon R & D (research and development). In the past, many physicists have tried to create a detector of xenon , which could detect electrons and photons. I succeeded.
- What are your achievements you can brag ?
- I am proud of all my achievements. Many of my colleagues have not completed Masters and do not have a doctorate. I was able to achieve all this with two small children in their arms , in a foreign country without any help . I am doing research on which get very great pleasure. Be part of such a leading experiment as CDMS is a big responsibility. And start your own experiment , which predicts a great future - not every physicist under force. I really hope to bring Solid Xenon experiment to end. The U.S. is currently suspended due to the economic crisis, many experiments . What awaits us in the future is unknown, but I hope I will be able to find private investors to continue the experiment.
- How important is it for you to estimate your activity?
- It is important for any scientist. After all, we want to know how our world came and bring it to all mankind. This is easier to achieve if you believe knowing recognized by serious scientists . And the higher the reward , the greater recognition in the eyes of ordinary people and the more you can get grants for future research. As any physicist , I dream about the Nobel Prize , but only because of the prestige. This would be a highlight of my career - to become the first Azerbaijani female scientists who have received this award. But my biggest pride - these are my children , two smart, talented children who were in school were awarded diplomas in various subjects. My youngest has repeatedly won at various competitions in running , which are equated with child Olympics.
- How do you think your children will follow your footsteps?
- My daughter is 15 years old . She is very kind and sociable, very proud of the fact that she is an Azerbaijani. Colors in her notebooks and portfolios are in the colors of our flag, and she tells friends about our cuisine and traditions. My son this year was 13. He is an honored athlete and is also proud of his nationality. They are both very fond of Azerbaijani music and love to come to Baku on vacation. Azerbaijan is considered the most beautiful country in the world. We have common interests with the children . My son and I love sports ( especially football and tennis), go fishing and go-karting. With daughter ride on crazy roundabouts, the steeper the better. The three of us love to paint oil paintings , go to movies and concerts. The children are growing by leaps and bounds , and very soon they will become completely independent. I am very happy that they believe the time spent with me was the best holiday in the world. And whatever way they choose, I will always support them ... The first half of my day is devoted to work , the second - to children. My colleagues have long understood that , unlike them, I'm at work and do not rest. Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days . Especially in spring and summer , as every week we go to another city, for the son's competition son on the run. In short - life is marathon. And this is what I need.
- Are there any questions that you have not yet found the answers?
- I have more questions than answers . Sometimes I envy the scientists of the XVIII century . All sciences were merged into one, as it should be . This science we broke into small pieces , as learned more and more. Is it possible to be a chemist, not knowing physics? How can I understand the physiology of a living organism, not knowing chemistry?
- If you had the opportunity to go back in time , what science, with the exception of physics, would you have dedicated your life to?
- If there would be a science, as theoretical medicine , I would have chosen it. But, unfortunately , it is the same as the virtual cooking.
- What do you think about people in general?
- Smart is getting smarter and the rest are degraded at an incredible rate . People of average intelligence are less and less . They were very important as they were , they say, the link between clever and stupid . Knowledge, if I may say so , is circulating , which allowed to build a dialogue between people. Now this no longer exists.
- Are you a believer ?
- I dislike religion , and we are talking about all religions.
- Tell me, there are many Azerbaijanis in Florida. Do you support a relationship with them ?
- In Florida, not so many Azerbaijanis live, and I very rarely meet compatriots. I keep relationships with all Azerbaijanis , whom I am familiar with , and have fun looking for some new friends.
- What are your dreams?
- My dream is to release Karabakh and to let all know about Azerbaijan. I dream that there was no corruption. I want our country to be a leader in science and sport. My dream is that the people were bolder, more honest , and the bottom had more pride.
- When were you in Baku last?
- We came to Baku at the end of 2012 . My mom lives in Baku.
- And the last question: what would you wish for our compatriots living abroad?
- I would like to see all Azerbaijanis living outside the country to join forces in the name of our national interests.
Rugiya ASHRAFLI
ANN.Az
