Eliot Laurent, intern at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM; Main area of research: Engineered Living Materials

• Where were you living in childhood and where do you live now?

I come from Castillon d’Arthez in the Béarn countryside, in the Southwest of France (1 hour from the mountains and one hour from the ocean, delicious cuisine, what more could you ask for…). I am currently studying in Grenoble, but mainly for the mountains…

• What have you studied and what were the motives for your decision?

I am studying Materials Science and Engineering at PHELMA-Grenoble INP, and my motivations are the mountains (close to the school) and contribute to the world of (mountain) sports or to energy and the environment for our future.

• How would you describe your work to someone outside your field?

I work with Dr. Jakub Grzybek on research involving small water pearls. They look like bubble tea pearls, we study how to create and optimize them for use in research and other applications.

• What does your typical working day look like?

I arrive in the morning, sweating because I cycle here and it’s far too hot in this country. I cool down slowly by checking my emails, then Jakub arrives and suggests we discuss the plan over coffee. I look for studies and documents to expand my knowledge of chemistry (I’m not a chemist).  After finding a study, Jakub suggests we repeat the experiment to learn more, so we try out some fun things in the lab. Then it’s time for our midday walk before lunch. I eat a good meal (I love to eat) and then I go back to my computer to discover new things about water jelly bubbles.

• What makes you excited about your work?

It’s probably the least original answer for anyone working in research, but discovering new things, obviously. Besides, I have the ability to be amazed by anything new to me, so new discoveries don’t need to be exceptional. It’s an advantage that allows me to stay passionate every day.

• And what is the biggest challenge at your work?

To stay focused. Not because our ability to concentrate decreases due to information overload in our brains, bombarded by the easy dopamine rush from screens and social media. But simply because I get absorbed in any detail that catches my attention – a new concept, a beautiful object, a bird flying by the window in a certain way (there’s one by the window currently hovering) – and I forget my primary objective.

• Which scientist or scientific achievement are you fascinated by and why?

Jake Burton Carpenter – an American snowboarder, founder of Burton Snowboards, but above all the inventor of modern snowboarding (I owe him everything)

• Tell us about the work of art (books, music, movies, theatre, dance, visual arts) that has a special place in your life.

I’m fascinated by the band Twenty One Pilots. They have music that is (in my opinion) excellent, but they’ve also developed a captivating universe around the imaginary world of Dema, which explores themes such as mental health, identity, and hope. This lore has been built over 10 years and 5 albums through lyrics, music videos, but also treasure hunts, riddles, and clues to decipher during shows or online. Following this story across their different albums has given their music a much deeper dimension, and the messages they convey have profoundly affected me.

• What have you read, listened to, or watched lately?

I recently rewatched the Kung Fu Panda trilogy. My childhood memory of it was that it was a funny cartoon but watching it again as an adult made me realize how well-written Po’s journey is. Each antagonist teaches Po an essential lesson: Who am I? Where do I come from? What is my true nature?

However, the fourth film is pointless for Po… it’s just funny.

• Which place on the Slovene coast do you like the most?

I just arrived and haven’t had time to visit the coast yet…but I cycle from Koper to Izola every day along the sea and it’s really nice!

• What makes you enthusiastic?

Snowboarding, Lego, gastronomy, the mountains, conversations with people, drawing, cooking, music… the list is long. Have I already told you that I love discovering new things?

• Characterize your life’s guidance or an important realization (or epiphany) you have experienced.

Before doing anything, I ask myself two questions. Do I really want to do it? And if I do, will it hurt others? If it’s okay for you and for others, why not? All the rest—what others think, stereotypes, and prejudices—who cares!

• What does the charm of wood mean to you?

The charm of wood can be seen in the variety of its species, colours, textures, and properties. But for me, it lies above all in its rarity on a cosmic scale. Wood often seems to us a simple and commonplace material, especially when compared to materials like diamonds or other substances considered more precious. Yet, these are abundant in the universe, on other planets, in comets, and asteroids. Wood, on the other hand, is the very product of life. And life remains the most beautiful and rarest thing in the universe. That is the true charm of wood.