Our graduate in one of the best Institutes in the world
Dr. Germanas Peleckis, Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australia
Tell us about your path to your chosen chemistry studies?
In 1996 I successfully finished Vilnius Lyceum. My certificate was not perfect, but compared with secondary schools, it was, of course, even very good. Although from 8th grade I was gifted for chemistry. However, after graduation, I decided to study medicine. I started studies at the Faculty of medicine but soon I changed my mind. Due to my large attachment to my best friend (Darius Gadonis, a wonderful mind Doctor of Physics), I went to study at the Faculty of Physics! The years I spent in this faculty made it clear – physics was not for me. I admit my first session at the Faculty of Physics was a fiasco. And when I decided to listen to my intuition and started to study chemistry. But time will not turn back. After experiencing a fiasco in 1997, I was successfully admitted to the Faculty of Chemistry. Here I did great in all disciplines and finally found my vocation.
Have you had a vision of your future when you started studying, did your vision come true?
Like many young scientists, I thought about professorship, a real scientist career. But I never dreamed about that happen next to my professional career. I can say my success story began with a casual conversation with the Dean of the Institute of Chemistry, Professor A. Kareiva (current director of the Institute of Chemistry). He offered to write a bachelor’s thesis in a laboratory under his direction. I agreed without hesitation – superconductors are a very interesting topic; it was something completely new. At the same time turned out that one of the Faculty of Chemistry employees, dr. Evaldas Naujelis, had an internship in Japan. He told Japanese professors that our students are very hardworking, smart, and talented. And one beautiful day, my supervisor A. Kareiva come to me and offered a master’s degree studies in Japan Tokyo Institute of Technology. Of course, I agreed. In 2001 I flew to the Land of the Rising Sun. Two years spent in Japan do not fade from my memory. Fantastic time, acquired new skills, a lot of knowledge and experience.
In Japan, I began to synthesize and study thermoelectric metal oxides, materials that convert heat directly into electricity. I worked really hard. After 2 years of studies, our team article was published in the Applied Physics Letters journal (for the master’s student, this was a great achievement).
By the end of my studies in Japan, I already had an offer to go to Australia for my doctoral studies. I was awarded a double scholarship which included education and living expenses refunding. In 2004 I started studying at the University of Wollongong in sunny Australia. The topic of doctoral research was spintronic materials, which means transition metal oxides with ferromagnetic properties at room temperature.
You mentioned, that you were thinking about a researcher career, did this expectation come true?
Yes, I was thinking about a career as a researcher. But over years I realized one very important thing – only those who can constantly generate new ideas and discover innovations in already researched topics can be real scientists. I didn’t found such qualities in myself. So I realized that it would be better for me to be the best somewhere else that the average in science.
Before receiving my doctorate, I started working as an assistant to the director of the Institute. I delved into the administration and maintenance of the Institute. Since 2010 I officially have taken up the position of Deputy Director of the Institute. I was responsible for finance, student’s hardware, and project monitoring. Currently, I am the Institute Director’s assistant. This began my distant distance from science.
Today, after many choices, fulfilled and unfulfilled dreams, can your story be called a “success story”?
I thought about it many times. My friends, colleagues, family often tell me that my achievements are the fruit of my mind and my talents. Personally, it seems to me that I was simple luck. I was it the right place at the right time, and I didn’t out any extraordinary effort into that. Everyone who will be reading this text will be able to decide it can be a success story or not.
What can you say to future graduates?
Chemistry studies at the Vilnius University Institute of Chemistry is a great choice. Whatever you’re going to relate your future to chemistry or not, studying at this faculty is super. The team of faculty and researches are just fantastic. If you ever realize that this science is not for you do not despair because there is plenty of time to find yourself. My good friend Martynas Mickėnas studied at the Faculty of Chemistry for three years, he didn’t graduate but now he is a great cinematography project manager. For those who are having a hard time learning, don’t hang your nose, and don’t be afraid of change! A diploma is not the most important thing!