“Science is not about what could have been done yesterday”: interview with a young scientist from Moscow Polytech

“A Young Scientist” is a notion that was introduced by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education only 1,5 years ago. We talked to Andrey Moshin, a graduate fr om the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs of Moscow Polytechnic University in the "Refrigeration, Cryogenic technology and Life Support systems", assistant at the Department of Low Temperature Engineering named after P.L. Kapitsa, winner of the V.E. Fortov grant competition and a young university scientist.

Andrey, you are a young scientist. How did it all start?

I was born in Chernogolovka, a science city, by the way. I did not have any scientists in my family. In 2015, I entered Moscow Polytech, then it was a machine building university, meaning before the merger of six universities. I entered the Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology in the specialty “Refrigeration, Cryogenic Technology and Life Support Systems”. In 2019, I became a Master's student in the same field. And now, I am Assistant at the Department of “Low Temperature Engineering named after P.L. Kapitsa”. Associate professor (now head of the department) Dmitry Anatolyevich Nekrasov invited me, while being a graduate student, to join a team of young scientists, who were recruited to work on a state assignment in the sphere of scientific activity of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. This is wh ere my career started – being a graduate student I started to comprehend great science.

Which field of science do you study?

I am engaged in identifying fundamental laws of the processes of heat and mass transfer processes in hydrogel, using non-contact diagnostics methods, containing living cells. Meaning, I study non-contact methods of diagnosing hydrogel materials in relation to 3D bio printing technologies.

Which issues in your scientific activity are particularly interesting?

Of particular interest is modernization of a ready-made 3D bio printer with a system for forming the structure of a bio gel with living cells. That is on the basis of the data obtained about the composition and concentration of gels components and cells, the implementation of control of technological parameters is feasible directly in the zone of jet formation, and hence the control over the 3D bio printing process.

Currently, one of the advanced areas of modern technologies is tissue bioengineering, everyone is talking about this and consider it being something fantastic; therefore I wish this something fantastic become a reality. I would like to make a significant contribution to the realization of magic.

Why did you choose this particular field?

It is more a matter of chance – I was invited to the team that has been conducting research in this field for more than 10 years. In addition, I was attracted by interdisciplinarity - the activity at the junction of heat physics and biotechnology. Currently interdisciplinarity is encouraged; this is emphasized also in the Russian Academy of Science. It is always interesting, when large teams are being created with a vast experience in various areas: being it Chemistry, Physics, rocket scientists, refrigeration scientists or IT specialists.

For example, I am responsible for the experimental component, but my colleagues, based on the data obtained, make up a software complex system based on which processes are being simulated at experimental facilities. This is a huge team work.

Which results do you want to achieve?

Science is always something new. Science is not about what could have been done yesterday. If something could have been done yesterday, then it is not science. I hope that obtained results will give an opportunity to improve the technologies of regenerative medicine. The efficiency will increase creation of bioreactors for cultivation of microbiological objects; new designs of micro-containers will be developed for the controlled delivery of medicines and products inside biological tissues.

The obtained patterns allow suggesting new approaches to ensure the vital activity of cells by creating artificial micro-channels in the gel for the effective supply of nutrients.

What achievements in your scientific carrier you consider being the most important?

I think that the main achievement is experience and growth. First, the work in a large team, where every year there is a noticeable increase. When I only joined our team, I could not put two words together, but now I speak using scientific terms, I write scientific articles competently, process obtained results of experiments, and I propose my own research methods. In addition, many publications are already being published, and they are slowly beginning to cite my works and co-authored works. This is very cool, when in scientific circles there is some kind of popularity. All this is about growth and experience, which is very inspiring.

You said that that you are the first scientist in your family: and whom did you dream of becoming as a child?

Frankly? I wanted to be an actor. However, my family, all consisting of engineers, economists or accountants, said that this not a profession. Nevertheless, I have not given up on the childhood dream in part – as a teacher at workshops and laboratory classes I am not telling in a gray and dry way. This is my artistic addiction that helps to keep the interest of students. Meaning via science I realized my childhood dream, having found my calling. I like the thought, that I am engaged in a noble cause: science and teaching.

Who is your mentor?

My research supervisor. Our difference in age is more than 50 years; nevertheless, we talk equally, what to my opinion is a great advantage. As a young person, I shared with him modern trends, which he might not have heard of. From him, I receive great experience and wise guidance. We have, as people say today, a perfect vibe. It is very cool and interesting for us.

How do you define your mission?

As I work in the sphere of 3D – bio printing, then the creation of organs is a mission.

What is the most difficult thing in your work?

The most difficult is when within an experiment something is not working out. Or, when you strive for the result, it takes you a long time to get to it, but it does not meet your expectations. It is frustrating. Also difficult can be the moment of preparation of scientific publications, for example, when you need to write something, but you cannot collect thoughts. Even to write just a couple of sentences correctly, so that you like it – it can be really difficult.

And what is the most pleasant thing?

When you get a return. Even here, for example, when you are called for an interview, they tell you about you somewhere or show you something. When you receive reciprocal interest from students, when they tell you that understood something. Then you realize that you are doing something good. It always nourishes you.

How is a "typical" scientist's day going?

Irregular. This is not something from the romance series; it’s monotonous work at laboratory facilities. This is interesting, of course. If we talk about the daily schedule, I live rather far from Moscow, in Chernogolovka, thus it takes 2,5-3 hours for travelling. If I have classes with students in the morning, then I deliver them, I may stay afterwards at the laboratories and additionally share with them and show something at our facilities. With my supervisor, we discuss the experimental program in advance, therefore after classes with students I go to my lab, obtain new patterns and compile the info into scientific materials. In fact, every day I just come and understand what to do, that is why I am enjoying the process, and this is the main thing.

How did you choose the university and occupation?

I knew about Moscow Polytech from my mother, and I am happy with the choice. And the specialty I chose is really in demand. Refrigeration, cryogenic equipment and the systems of life safety – this is about all. These are ultra-low temperatures and climate control equipment – trivial conditioners and refrigeration equipment. It is impossible to live without refrigeration equipment in the modern world; therefore, specialists in this field are in demand.

They say that professional deformation is inevitable in every profession.

 Do you notice anything similar in yourself?

A scientist's workplace is his face. That is why one may tell you that this is the utmost cleanliness and neatness in everything. Everything must be clean and tidy.

How do you see your life in five years?

Everything is developing so dynamically here, that I am even scared to imagine, how I see my life in the future. Gradually, within this period, I would like, of course, to get a degree. If it somehow falls out, then a promotion. And already then, it will be possible to think about a doctor's degree.

What advice would you give to students?

Not to be scared of difficulties. Science is always interesting and exciting. I have always drawn a parallel between science and love, and it is a great feeling. For example, both in science and in love there is a creative component: in science its can be a design of drawings, a design of stands or a non–standard approach to solving issues; in love - it is an original approach to choosing a place for a date. When you feel a strong sympathy for a person, for example, you are overwhelmed with excitement, you are looking forward to the meeting very much, and this feeling is growing inside you, so, before an experiment or the defense of some kind of work, you are very much waiting for this event, but inside you tremble. Or here, for example, you are very much in love with a person, and every day this brings you positive emotions, the same is with science. Your work lead to academic degrees, the first places at conferences. This is “science as love”.