Anatole Ruellan, intern at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM; Main area of research: Mechanical properties of wooden dowels in construction applications

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

I lived in Brittany in western France and now I live in three different places, depending on the time of the year: close to my school, close to my company (where I do my apprenticeship) or here in Izola (for my traineeship).

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

I first studied Materials Science in my bachelor’s degree because it allowed me to be as polyvalent as possible in my future work.

Then I started a master’s degree in Wood Science, mainly focused on civil engineering, because I needed to work in a field meaningful to me (useful products) and I wanted to develop my knowledge of a material that I liked to work with and that is interesting for its ecological qualities.

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

Being able to understand the limits of wooden dowel technology, their causes and the possibilities we have to overcome them.

• What does your typical working day look like?

Arriving, reading studies and writing a summary, eating, reading more studies and writing another summary and leaving.

• What makes you excited about your work?

Discovering new subjects that show me solutions to improve the construction field from an ecological point of view.

• And what is the biggest challenge at your work?

Quickly understanding the subjects I discover, as they will become my main work subjects.

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

One of the scientists that inspires me the most is Jean-Marc Jancovici. He is the one who developed the carbon footprint calculation methods. He impresses me by his ecological commitment and how he is not afraid to face his opponents.

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

The work that I think is the most important to me is Vinland Saga, a manga that gives you a lesson about forgiveness, kindness and tenacity despite the odds. Moreover, it takes place in a historical context, which allows people to become interested in my favourite school subject: history.

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

A fun cartoon combining absurd humor and explanations about agronomy. A strange combination, but which surprisingly works really well.

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

Probably Izola’s beaches: close to my apartment, calm water and warm temperatures. Very pleasant after work or for night discussions while looking at the sky.

• What makes you enthusiastic?

Learning new things (especially history), seeing my friends and playing volleyball.

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

Probably the most important thing for my life’s guidance is my path to ecological awareness, which I have followed since the end of my high school years, thanks to my teacher who helped me develop my knowledge of the subject and critical thinking.

• What does the charm of wood mean to you?

A material with a pleasant scent, a beautiful appearance and many possible uses.