Michail Ioannis Chronakis, Inorganic Trace Analysis Division
Source: BAM
Interview series "Introducing People@BAM"
Michail Ioannis Chronakis, Inorganic Trace Analysis Division
Mike, tell us a little bit about yourself. Why did you choose to pursue a PhD at BAM?
I studied Chemistry as my bachelor’s at University of Crete, where I also continued with my master’s studies in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry. I was fortunate enough to find myself in a significantly outgoing experimental group, which gave me the opportunity to work and converse with scientists from all over the world, from various fields and levels of expertise. During my master’s years, I had the opportunity to participate in an internship at University of Oviedo, and in the Mesocosm 2019 program. Soon after I found myself wanting to cross borders, meet and work with different cultures and environments. When the opportunity presented itself, for me to work in an institute as respectable and well equipped as BAM, I was quick to cease it.
Do you have any role models and, if so, which ones?
I usually, subconsciously, choose my role models from my immediate social circle. I think that is because I can better appreciate the hardships they had/have to overcome and I can observe their behaviour over longer periods of time, in different situations. It is much easier to relate to, and learn from, a hard-working fellow PhD, or an open-minded supervisor, than the polished image of a pop-culture celebrity.
What does your research focus on, and what excites you most about this topic?
My research focuses mainly on the study of the metal content in single moieties, in samples of particle or cell populations. One of the greatest challenges, and most interesting parts, of that process is usually the tackling of matrices that either hamper the analysis or damage the instrumentation. Moreover, the analysis on a single moiety level requires cutting-edge equipment, understanding, and creative thinking. Figuring out how to best address the analysis of every individual sample, optimizing known procedures, combine them or developing new ones, trying to balance on the ‘’sweet spot’’ of every interconnected factor, is a puzzle second to none. Training in this line of work can be either frustrating or gratifying or both, often within the same day. It is, however, extremely challenging and promotes character growth and expanding of one’s horizon.
Have there been any obstacles or challenges in your career so far? And if so, how did you overcome them?
It is a bitter truth, that while science is universal, not every place in the world partakes in appreciating its beauty. My birthplace was quite remote, and the science communication outreaches were sparse and feeble, where young folk were nudged towards more practical goals than academia. As a result, my interest in the natural world took longer to develop than in most cases, putting me in a slightly disadvantageous position against people of more favourable backgrounds. However, with a generous splash of luck, and copious amounts of hard work, I am catching up, and my innate curiosity leads me on a path that my pre-adolescent self could probably never have imagined.
What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?
That really varies from time to time, depending on a plethora of factors. In general, however, I like being physically active. I enjoy working out, team sports like volleyball or basketball, and running. In addition, I am a huge boardgames’ enthusiast.
If you should describe your job at BAM in one sentence – what would that be?
I only know what I can prove, but what I can prove, I know with near absolute certainty.