Adele Metsniit, intern at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM; Main areas of research: Materials science, wood science

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

I have lived in Estonia my entire life. The biggest move I’ve made was three years ago, when I moved from the capital, Tallinn, to Tartu, which is Estonia’s main university city.

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

I am currently at the end of my bachelor’s studies in materials science at the University of Tartu. I decided on this path already in high school, because I became fascinated by the fact that basically everything around us (and even ourselves!) is made of different materials. Humans are constantly interacting with materials and understanding them on an atomic basis was almost like a philosophical quest for me. Materials science includes discovering the world through maths and physics, both of which I enjoy a lot. At the same time, I feel connected to artistic fields, since many artists are also working with the same physical media (metal, ceramics, biomaterials, etc.) that I am passionate about.

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

Aside from lectures and seminars at the university, students take part in lab and research work. The materials that are researched need to eventually be applicable. To do that, they first require rigorous testing and analysis. This is exactly what materials scientists do: reading literature, planning and performing experiments, analysing the data and optimizing. To me, this process is captivating, enlightening and sometimes quite emotional. J

• What does your typical working day look like?

During the internship, I try to get to the lab at around 8 am. So far, I have been working on fungal durability tests for wood in the Engineered Living Materials Lab. It’s very hands-on work, since there are constantly samples to weigh, media to prepare or fungi to inoculate. I really enjoy the process and appreciate all the help from my supervisors and other lab members.

• What makes you excited about your work?

I like how universal and international it is. People are developing new (bio)materials all over the world, and the scientific method and mutual understanding are the same everywhere. As a young person, the opportunity to travel and see the world whilst still remaining in a similar field of work is very exciting and makes me feel grateful.

• And what is the biggest challenge at your work?

Surprisingly, knowing how many resources (electricity, chemicals, packaging, etc.) are inevitably used in the process of doing science. Even the greenest ideas use a lot of environmental resources in their developmental stage, and for that reason I feel the pressure to do “very good science” to justify the resources that go into the experiments.

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

The development of a prosthetic hand that can restore the feeling of touch via electrical signals to a person who has lost their hand in an accident. I remember seeing a video on the topic a few years ago, and it was moving to see how state-of-the-art science was able to bring such deep emotions to the person who was able to feel objects with his hand again after many years.

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

One work of art that has a special place in my heart is The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. Before reading it, I had no idea just how absurd yet deeply philosophical the story was going to be in this literary classic.

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

I have recently become fascinated with all things related to Estonian folklore. When I travelled to Slovenia, I brought along two young adult horror novels that intertwine Estonian mythology motifs into the storyline. I have absolutely enjoyed reading them in my leisure time after a workday. Along the same lines, my current favourite music artist is the Estonian folktronica group OOPUS. Their music blends traditional Estonian folk and modern electronic/rave influences.

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

Every day I am grateful for the car-free coastal road between Izola and Koper. It’s perfect for jogging and watching the sunset over the sea.

• What makes you enthusiastic?

My friends and family make me enthusiastic! I love hosting people and planning events. In Slovenia, I feel enthusiastic about exploring new places, but I also find joy in simply relaxing at the beach on weekends. The atmosphere in Izola during summer makes you feel like you are on holiday, even with everyday work responsibilities.

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

Reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind by Yuval Noah Harari starkly shifted the way I think about the human experience, cognition and our shared values.

• What does the charm of wood mean to you?

Wood has one of the most comforting scents ever, reminding me of saunas and small wooden houses in Estonia. I think it’s beautiful how something created by a living organism gives humans one of the strongest and most readily available biocomposite materials in the world. And trees themselves are incredible on their own. Lying on the ground and looking up at the soaring branches gives me almost a sacred feeling.