YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Since childhood, Sargis Gasparyan's passion and interest in natural sciences, particularly mathematics, led him to the Faculty of Radiophysics of Yerevan State University. He was not intended to do science, but thanks to the supervisor of his master's thesis, professor Arsen Hakhumyan, he got acquainted with the "beauty of the research work" and decided to pursue the path of becoming a scientist. Later, he got an invitation from ICRANet Armenia (International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network) with the director of which, Narek Sahakyan, Sargis has been cooperating for seven years. He states that he has learned the skills necessary to become a scientist and reinforced his connection with astrophysics.

Sargis, what kind of research are you currently working on?

My current research is focused on investigating radiation from the active nucleus in the center of galaxies, which is essential in two ways. Firstly, the radiation in such astronomical objects is more efficient, sometimes even tens of times more than in the case of thermonuclear processes we are familiar with and which are widely used. At some point, it might be applicable in our life to find a new and more effective energy source. Secondly, those researches have a fundamental meaning; not every scientific experiment can be carried out on Earth due to the limitations of some parameters. Such sources are unique laboratories where one can study and test the physics known to us, understand whether it works in extreme conditions, and adjust it if needed to enhance our knowledge. That is the main reason we look at the universe; there are no size problems or limitations.

How did the members of your family and the people around you react to your decision of becoming a scientist?

My family only favored my decision and supported me in every way in all stages of getting an education. Surprisingly, my path of studying for a PhD and becoming a scientist was smooth. Noticing my enthusiasm for work, no one would mind. Nor have I ever received any negative feedback from the people around me, who have only shown a friendly and respectful attitude towards my work.

How do you picture a scientist?

Scientists are versatile people showing an analytical approach to problems due to their high intelligence. In my opinion, scientists should be innovative, creative, and, most importantly, resolute since one can fail more than succeed in science. The reason is that there are a lot of uncertainties in the field. I have an exciting remark: failure is an integral part of a scientist’s work, through which we gain experience. The scientist can put a hypothesis forward and conduct a scientific experiment for years, but in the end, it can be rejected. The scientist is closer to the truth because the excluded hypothesis is one of the existing finite hypotheses. In my opinion, science is for enthusiasts, which is the main reason the difficulties become surmountable.

What motivates you to wake up early?

Many things motivate me to wake up early; to be in my personal and professional life. I want to highlight that I try to use time more efficiently since it is the most limited resource life has ever provided me. I also wake up to reach my goals step by step, trying to contribute to my surroundings with my daily work, be it globally or locally.

Which discovery in your field has impressed you the most?

In recent decades, technological development has created quite a wide range of opportunities in astronomy to explore the undiscovered corners and distant parts of the universe. Among the impressive discoveries, I would like to point out the existence of gravitational waves and supermassive black holes discovered in the last few years, deriving from Einstein's theory of relativity. He did not believe that one day the technology would develop so much that it would be possible to prove the theory not only with mathematical formulas, but also practically. It is imposing what results in the flight of fancy and technological development can lead to.

Is there any phase in your career you would consider as a breakthrough?

There have been many breakthroughs during my career. However, I would like to single out my membership in the MAGIC international collaboration, which manages the 17-meter Atmospheric Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes in the Canary Islands. ICRANet Armenia is a member of the partnership, which involves visiting the Canary Islands once a year for a month, participating in modern research, and cooperating with the best professionals in the field. My membership has had a multiplier effect. In 2019, immediately after completing my PhD, I received an invitation to do research from the Max Planck Institute in Munich (Germany), which is the so-called "heart" of the collaboration. Having been working here, I have gained tremendous experience and a wide circle of acquaintances.

Along with my French colleague, I started working on a new project to solve a current issue in our field: the temporal study of lepton-hadron processes. We have made a simulator, a software package that differs from all other existing tools based on its basis, speed, and accuracy. From that point on, my career took a new turn. We named the tool SOPRANO. It is an abbreviation standing for Simulator of Processes in Relativistic AstroNomical Objects. A short time has passed, but we have already published two articles in international journals with a high impact factor using that software package.

You have also participated in the FAST Fellowship program. Could you please elaborate on it a little?

There are different grants in my field, but the one offered by FAST stood out for its versatility. In the second year of my PhD studies, I applied to the foundation and got the grant, which on the one hand, helped me focus on my dissertation and, on the other, gave me the chance to get acquainted with prominent scientists both from Armenia and abroad. Scientists must establish connections with the professional community so that they are not limited only by the narrow field they are specified in and have the opportunity to understand the general vector of the development of science. Here FAST had its role. Such programs can guide future PhD students in choosing science.

What advice would you give a child who wants to become a scientist?

I would welcome the decision and advise them always to be curious and never stop asking questions. In many cases, more mature people are shy to ask a lot. Yet, it is the number one feature describing a scientist. Also, I would probably introduce the advantages of being a scientist to children, one of which is traveling. People of various professions are even jealous of how much they travel and how attractive the life they lead. This will, undoubtedly, be a new source of motivation for children.

As a scientist, what phase in your career would you consider as a pinnacle?

I have not defined such a peak for myself, but the desire is to significantly contribute to the field I am specified in and humanity in general. It is essential to understand that in today’s science, groups have a greater role than individuals. That is why one should know what drop they can add to the entire ocean that will lead to the desired goal as a team they are striving to achieve.

How do you spend your spare time?

I do sports, which, depending on the essence of the work, is more of a requirement than an advantage. I like swimming, playing pool, and spending time with my friends in a non-formal environment. This helps me be on pace. Another passion is traveling: whenever I have more time, I travel through the country or abroad. Indeed, there are a lot of things to do. 

Previous interviews of the "10 questions to a scientist" series are below:

A young researcher strives to create value for humanity by means of bioinformatics. Narek Abelyan

The career path of a young researcher in medical science commenced from the achievements in international Olympiads. Hamlet Khachatryan

My dream is to go to a pharmacy and see the drug I have discovered. Irina Tirosyan

From Ashtarak to Yerevan, then to Milan and Basel, chasing the childhood dream of becoming a scientist. Smbat Gevorgyan

Any beneficial discovery for the sake of humankind would be regarded as a career peak for me. Ella Minasyan 

 I decided to carry on with the family tradition of pursuing science. Karen Trchunyan

Nothing brings as much joy to a person as the feeling of the reward of a scientific result. Ani Paloyan

The story of Anoxybacillus karvacharensis found in the geothermal spring of Artsakh as a source of inspiration. Diana Ghevondyan

In an American lab 20 years ago I felt like in a Hollywood movie. Anna Poladyan

Science excelled all jobs because it is perspective: Sargis Aghayan

The easiest way to change the world is to do science: Sona Hunanyan