Sparks of curiosity: two professors share what they wonder about

How do researchers get started on the path to professorship? What lessons do they learn on the way? At the Tenured Professors' Installation Talks, collected in this playlist, newly tenured professors share their story. For this article, we asked two of them to tell us a bit more about their journey in research.

Julia Lohmann, Associate Professor, Department of Design

‘As a kid, I wanted to be either a jungle explorer or a vet. I would often navigate through thorny bushes in preparation for my jungle adventures or save earthworms from the streets when it was raining. Those hours spent exploring nature built a deep bond between me and the environment. 

I see design as a tool for shaping the future. It's about envisioning how we can move from where we are to where we want to be. And it's not just about me or even about people in general.  We can actively transform systems for the better by embracing a multi-species mindset and considering the well-being of all species affected by our actions. 

I think of myself as a practitioner. In my creative endeavors, I conduct research through first-hand experiences of where the natural and human-made worlds meet, merge into one another or clash. I then translate my findings into tangible objects or immersive experiences that enable moments of reflection and discovery. I vividly recall one such experience as a kid where I attempted to see a familiar object – an old chair – in a new light. This act of defamiliarization sparked a shift in my perception, highlighting the transformative power of creative exploration. 

I encourage everybody to practice creative exploration. When someone helps you see an injustice or a problem, it opens your eyes, and you can't ignore it in the future. Each time you're prompted to question and challenge, it becomes an opportunity for change, as you carry that questioning mindset into other situations.’  

Ilkka Laakso, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation

‘My journey into research began with a preference for theoretical courses, steering clear of anything practical. As is often the case, I avoided it because I didn’t know what it was like. Engaging in practical work during my thesis opened the door to research.  

While an engineer can use known physical models to design a bridge so it doesn't collapse, understanding the human body is often like a black box – some stimuli are given, and the responses are measured. However, we don’t yet know much about the brain or what happens in there when we stimulate it. Modeling provides new information about these functions, leading to better treatment methods for neurological and psychiatric conditions. 

I did my postdoc in Japan, where August is very hot. We did some temperature modeling to test how quickly symptoms would arise when a 3-year old is left in a hot car. My supervisor pitched the topic to the media, and I thought it would be a small news item since August is holiday season in Japan. Little did I know, it ended up being a front-page article and got me on TV as well.’