It is interesting to observe what success students achieve after getting a diploma of MEPhI. Many become first-class engineers, scientists or public figures. These are people who have taken place and feel comfortable in life and in the professional sphere.
Irina Antoshina who graduated from the Department of Materials Science, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Obninsk) in 2002, now an Associate Professor at the Department of Laser and Plasma Technologies spoke about her research and teaching activities, relations between students and teachers and the future prospects.
– Why did you decide to be engaged in teaching? Who influenced your choice?
– The desire to teach appeared in senior postgraduate courses. My supervisor, Professor, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Vita Sergeevna Khmelevskaya played a major role in my life and instilled a love for the future profession, giving her personal example. She is an interesting and multifaceted person with extraordinary energy, a talented teacher. It was Vita Sergeevna who saw the potential in me and advised me to pay attention to teaching. There was no reason not to trust her, and I decided to try myself in this area. I started teaching practice at the Department of Materials Science - working with students. Of course, for the first time it was very exciting, but interesting to speak in front of a huge audience. You stand in front of the students, look into their eyes and understand that they listen carefully only to you, and it is your competent explanation that determines whether they will understand this material and whether they will be able to use it correctly in the future. Every night I had to adjust the program and prepare for the upcoming lesson. But I successfully coped with all difficulties and received good recommendations from colleagues.
– What attracts you most in the profession?
– I am attracted by the fact that the profession can be approached creatively. It is necessary to try to see the personality in each student, to understand them and to interest in a new material. It is a pity that there is some limitation of the program, but a lot of it can be explained in a different and accessible form, so that students become interested in studying and getting the necessary knowledge. All laboratories of the Department of Laser and Plasma Technologies are tooled up with modern high-tech equipment, where our students can conduct experimental research activities in the framework of research and final qualifying works.
– What scientific questions have you worked and you are working on now?
– My PhD thesis was devoted to structural transformations in amorphous alloys under various influences (thermal, radiation and laser). Recently I have been studying the influence of megaplastic deformations on the structure and properties of amorphous metal alloys.
– What do you remember when you are talking about the time of your studies at the Institute?
– I remember my student years with special warmth. This was the time of new discoveries of yourself and your friends. I maintain good relations with all my classmates, with whom fate threw us together at the Institute, every year we gather at the graduates’ meetings, rejoice at each other's successes and support in any situation. I very much hope that this tradition - to meet all together - will continue for many years.
– What is the difference between the time when you were a student and the current one?
– Now the University has become a wide platform for students – study, scientific work, active creative life, but it is very pleasant to realize that the main traditions of our University are preserved to this day. OINPE MEPhI appreciates its history and its graduates.
– What would you like to wish current students?
– I would like to wish all students to believe in themselves, in their own strength and capabilities, to strive for a dream, to overcome difficulties and to improve their knowledge. Let the student years be remembered with bright impressions, interesting events and people.
