From Lego to Quantum: The Journey to Academic Research
How does a bass player become a data science researcher? What connects a military injury to research about India? And why does an engineering professor call conversations between researchers 'moments of magic'?
Three researchers from Bar-Ilan University share their paths that led them to the world of research, and the moments that make them fall in love with it anew each day. Come meet them at the upcoming Open Day.
"In my childhood, I played bass guitar and dreamed of becoming a musician," recalls Dr. Gal Yavetz, a researcher in the Department of Data Science at Bar-Ilan University. "Looking back today, I see many similarities between our research work and that of musicians: preparation, planning, thinking about all the small details that make a musical project or research precise and correctly timed, and ultimately we are measured by the final result, the song, or in our case, the paper or presentation at a scientific conference."
Research, he says, is a bit like a game. "As a child, I loved Lego, and what I enjoyed most was the assembly process itself: looking at the instruction manual and the steps ahead. I was less excited about the final result. That's how I am with research today: when a new project starts, I'm completely invested in it, and it's the most fascinating thing in the world to me. But the publication process of academic research is very long, an article can take two years or more until it sees the light of day, and when it's finally published – I've already moved on to a new 'toy'."
Dr. Yavetz recalls that the open days he visited before enrolling in his studies also played an important role in his academic journey. "I loved attending open days. It felt like being a kid in a toy store again, moving between different departments and examining the endless possibilities over and over. Today I participate in open days, this time as a lecturer, and fortunately I've already had the chance to come full circle more than once: candidates I first met at open days who became my students and are now our graduates. Some of them still keep in touch with me and update me on their professional development, and nothing gives me a greater sense of pride."
Understanding That Suddenly Dawns
Dr. Lauren Dagan Amos, from the Department of Political Science, dreamed of being a theater actress or a military officer, but this dream was cut short when she was injured during military service. "After I was injured, I tried to understand why it happened, what led to this situation of conflict in the Middle East, and generally what's happening in our environment. I decided that the way to understand this was to study political science," she says. "I came to study after my trip to India, which also left a huge impression on me. This experience led me to focus on and research India. It wasn't easy. I have learning disabilities, I have PTSD, and my path wasn't smooth at all. But I did it, with a lot of determination and persistence."
As a researcher in academia, she says she loves standing before students, talking with them, and answering their questions more than anything else. "That moment when you see understanding suddenly dawn in their eyes - that's a moment that brings me great joy," she shares. "That's also why I come to open days: both because they have a fun, light, and open atmosphere, and because I enjoy talking with potential new students and opening the door for them to access academia."
Moments of Magic
Professor Eli Cohen from the Faculty of Engineering was exposed to his research field - quantum theory - when he was already a student of physics and mathematics. "I took a course in quantum mechanics, and I was amazed by the mathematical beauty of quantum theory, and the profound implications it has on how we describe physical systems," he recalls. "I really wanted to understand the subject better and delve deeper into it, hoping to gain a better understanding of how nature works at its smallest scales."
The field of science, Professor Cohen shares, interested him since he was a small child. "I wanted to be an astronaut, but starting from first grade, I began to be exposed to different sciences and became curious. I loved puzzles and sometimes imagined myself engaging in mathematical research. Additionally, I saw myself dedicating a large part of my time to thinking about difficult questions in our world that have no solution. And that's what I do today as a researcher."
One of the things he loves most about academia is the fruitful and interesting conversations with students and colleague researchers from Israel and abroad. "In these conversations, magical moments occur when ideas build on each other and combine with existing knowledge to create something entirely new," he shares.
"And yes, I've already had the chance to talk at open days with excellent students who subsequently chose the quantum engineering track."
A Glimpse into the Future
And what about you? Where will you be tomorrow?
At Bar-Ilan's Open Day, on Feb 14, you can meet Dr. Yavetz, Dr. Dagan-Amos, and Professor Cohen, along with other researchers, get to know the departments and study tracks, hear about scholarships and benefits, tour our beautiful green campus, and so much more!