Chapter 1: The Journey of Sir Andre Geim

Sir Andre Geim, a Nobel Prize laureate, exemplifies the essence of perseverance in research. With seventeen years of experience in the field, I can attest to the monotony often found in academic papers. They tend to be overly technical and lack emotional engagement. However, when you encounter a compelling piece, it captivates your attention. One such work is Geim's 2010 Nobel lecture titled "Random walk to graphene."

This groundbreaking paper introduces graphene, a remarkable material with outstanding properties for electronic applications. Geim's writing style is refreshingly conversational, making it feel as if he is speaking directly to the reader. Absent are the complex formulas and dense technical jargon; instead, it offers a glimpse into his personal journey. I found myself engrossed in the narrative, resonating deeply with his experiences as a researcher.

Research transcends a mere profession; it embodies a way of life. On my recent flight to Thailand, my thoughts were not on relaxing by the beach but rather on grappling with data and pondering the title of my latest research paper. For researchers, the drive often stems from a grand idea rather than financial gain.

Geim famously dubbed his spontaneous experiments as "Friday-night experiments." Whenever inspiration strikes, he sets up an experiment that can autonomously collect data over the weekend. While many of these endeavors yield no results, the few that do have solidified his legacy.

Indeed, Geim's brilliance isn't solely a result of a high IQ; it's his willingness to embrace trial and error that sets him apart. He states, “There were two dozen or so experiments over a period of approximately 15 years and, as expected, most of them failed miserably. But there were three hits […] This implies an extraordinary success rate: more than 10%.” The fact that a Nobel Prize winner acknowledges a 90% failure rate is a profound statement.

His life story further illustrates this principle. Born in the Soviet Union to a family of German descent, Geim faced anti-Semitism due to his last name's connotation. After high school, he was denied entry to a university in Moscow based on his ethnicity. Undeterred, he returned to his hometown for an apprenticeship, eventually pursuing physics at another university.

His career took a significant turn when he left the Soviet Union in 1990, just before its dissolution. In the UK, he dedicated himself to his work, often clocking in 100-hour weeks to establish his reputation. Over the next few years, he switched research positions multiple times, with rumors suggesting his wife worked as a cleaning lady to support their family during this challenging period.

Geim's creativity extends beyond graphene; his "flying frog" experiment illustrates the interaction between magnetic fields and biological tissues. By placing a living frog in a powerful magnetic field, he successfully made it levitate, all while ensuring the frog's safety.

I've had the privilege of attending two of Geim's lectures, and his approachable demeanor and humor shine through when discussing his career. I hold a deep admiration for accomplished individuals who remain grounded. Geim's casual attire and unpretentious nature reflect his commitment to mentoring students directly in the lab.

A prevalent issue in academia is that once one reaches a professorship, they often distance themselves from hands-on research. Instead, they become absorbed in administrative tasks and meetings. However, Geim has managed to avoid this pitfall, continuing to work alongside students despite his accolades.

He relishes the opportunity to coach students individually, imparting more than just academic knowledge. His teachings emphasize the value of exploring new avenues, even if they seem random: “[…] poking in new directions, even randomly, is more rewarding than is generally perceived.” Collaborating with a Nobel laureate is akin to playing basketball against a legend like Michael Jordan—an experience that would be invaluable.

Geim serves as a beacon of hope for anyone uncertain about their path. His journey from being rejected by universities to winning a Nobel Prize proves that anything is achievable. Here are some principles that guide him:

• Cultivate curiosity.
• Experiment with innovative ideas through trial and error.
• Embrace failure, even when it occurs more often than success.

Next time you feel trapped, consider this question:

“When did I last try something new?”

If a Nobel Prize winner can confront this question daily, so can you.

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Chapter 2: A Deeper Dive into Failure

In the first video titled "The Impossible Takes Longer," Geim discusses the significance of perseverance in research and how failure is often a stepping stone to success.

The second video, "Nobel Prize winner received bad report card," sheds light on Geim's academic challenges and how they shaped his approach to research and innovation.