He received his secondary education at the technical and humanistic high school number 8 in the city of Jalilabad. In 2005, he was admitted to the specialty of Geophysics at the Faculty of Geology of Baku State University. He began working as a senior laboratory technician at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics since completing his bachelor’s degree. In 2011, he earned a master’s degree in seismology and seismometry from BSU. In the last academic year of the master’s degree, as a winner of the DAAD exchange program, he carried out his research at the German Center for Earth Sciences. In 2015-2019, he graduated from the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of the University of the Chinese National Academy of Sciences. He received doctoral studies in Spatial Geodesy and Geodynamics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. During his studies, he was twice elected best foreign student by the Academy. He successfully defended his research on “Study of Earth’s crustal deformation in the Eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus region based on GPS and seismic data” and obtained a PhD in astrometry and space objects. Later, he applied to Peking University and there won the postdoctoral program called “BOYA”. Only one winner from the region was selected in this program.
We are talking about Bahruz Ahadov, who currently works as a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He is also a winner of the Fulbright scholarship program, a global educational exchange program organized by the United States Department of State. It should be noted that B. Ahadov was an employee of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“Caspian” The newspaper spoke with Bahruz Ahadov about his achievements and his work at NASA. We present the interview.
“My greatest success is with NASA”
– Mr. Bahruz, when you chose geophysics in 2005, did you think that the time would come when you would work as a scientist at NASA?
– At that time there were no extensive sources of information and a high level of awareness. There were also not enough professionals or mentors I could turn to for career advice. Within these limitations, I tried to discover what geophysics is and what opportunities it could provide me in the future by doing research on my own. In my scientific research activity I have always liked to look for innovation and difference. While researching the field of geophysics, I thought that here I could learn something unusual and gain new knowledge. At that time, most people around me were choosing popular majors like economics, law, oil and gas, and medicine. But since I love making a difference, those fields didn’t interest me, so I chose geophysics.
– Its success is quite extensive. In your opinion, which of them represents Bahruz Ahadov the most?
– Among my activities so far, my greatest success is related to NASA. During my doctoral studies, I wanted to work as a researcher at NASA. I consider my period of study in China as an important achievement. Because the path to NASA is the result of the knowledge and skills I acquired in China.
“Studying in Asian countries is a stressful process”
– Can you tell us a little about your studies in China?
– Education in China gave me the opportunity to develop significantly from a scientific point of view. My educational experience was quite difficult because studying in Asian countries is a somewhat stressful process. There the demands are high. In our higher education system, expected results at the doctoral level were required in higher education undergraduate studies in China. The research done by the graduate students was significantly more than what we received. Although the lessons in our country are quite useful, the standards of the education system and the approach to scientific research in China meet more specific requirements. For this reason, I decided to relearn many subjects during my first year of studying in China.
“I never back down from my goal”
– Have difficulties in your career ever distracted you from your goals?
– I have never been bored in any situation related to my work. I think one of the main reasons I got to where I am is because I didn’t give up. Discipline is essential on the path to success. It makes it easier to achieve my goals. Setting aside a certain amount of time each day to work on my research and acquire new knowledge is a manifestation of discipline. At the same time, discipline increases my resilience in the face of adversity and supports me when facing negative situations. I manage to move forward by being inspired by the challenges I face during my research. It is true that sometimes I have encountered negative situations. However, it is not correct to expect only positive results while advancing on the path of science. A person must take these events as a source of experience and motivation. So I never deviate from my goal. I always try to move forward, looking for the best. This approach is an important element for my scientific development.
– He often delivers speeches at various conferences and events. How would you describe its place in your activity?
– The number of people working in the field of satellite technologies in our country is quite small. For this reason, it is difficult to find suitable experts to discuss when the results are obtained. However, it is very important that every researcher is surrounded by people specialized in this field at conferences. It allows you to share your results, discuss and discover new ideas. In such an environment, people know the results of your research and you watch other scientists’ presentations. When I return from each event, I gain new knowledge and come back with different ideas. I always think that I have to apply these ideas and have them ready for the next conference. Our research on the Caspian Sea was selected by the American Geophysical Society from approximately 25,000 participants at this year’s conference in Austria and published globally.
“I still keep these images as memories”
– What is the most interesting thing about your research?
– My activity is mainly related to earth sciences. I am fascinated by the results of my research, especially those related to earthquakes and volcanoes. Since we are on the surface of the earth, we are unaware of many geodynamic processes that take place underground. However, it is possible to monitor and analyze underground processes using modern technologies, especially satellite data and geophysical research methods. Thanks to these technologies it is possible to detect mobility that others cannot see, which increases the depth of scientific research. It also emphasizes the role of innovative approaches and modern technologies in the development of science. My knowledge of satellite technology began during my studies in China. For the first time I applied this high technology in the study of earthquakes to the earthquake that occurred in Iran in 2017. The results I obtained then led me to such interesting images (color tones, description of fractures and other elements) that I still keep these images as memories .
– You mentioned the beauty of satellite technology. For what other purposes can these technologies be used?
– Before, science could be wrong, but with the development of technology this probability has decreased significantly. The reason for this is the accuracy of the data and information obtained, which minimizes the possibility of errors. As technology advances, more information is available about the future. For example, predictions are made about the eruption or activation of volcanoes after an earthquake. These predictions are sometimes true, but most of the time they are not. We have done research on this topic. For the first time in Azerbaijan, using satellite technology, we analyzed and visualized that this idea is not always true. Through technology we know the precision of these studies, because sometimes there are places that are difficult for a human to reach, which requires additional resources and technology. But with satellite technology it is possible to explore any area at any time. Thanks to this research, we have the opportunity to plan for the future.
“All the information at your fingertips”
– Speaking of the opportunities that technology gives us, can you talk about NASA, which provides the world with this technological data?
– I won the Fulbright program and now I am at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Here all the systems are controlled by high technology and the programs are so convenient that as you get results, you want to get more results. This technology allows you to learn new knowledge at each stage. At JPL, planets are studied, research is carried out, flights are carried out, satellites are developed and much more. Security measures here are of a high level. There is no need to search because all the information is available at your fingertips. But all this information is not provided by your personal computer, you have to work with the technology that is provided to you.
– Did NASA meet your expectations?
– Before coming here, I had some doubts about how the scientists would answer my questions and how they would receive me. But after meeting the people here, I found that they are extremely friendly and supportive. My mentor is one of the most famous scientists in the world, but he is always interested in my research. When I have questions, I write to him or we talk face to face. Right now I feel like I’m in the scientific environment of my dreams. Deep and thorough research is done here and it is the second month that I am reaping the benefits of the knowledge I have acquired. We have achieved certain scientific results.
“My main objective is to apply my experience in our country”
– You have already achieved certain scientific results. But once your work at NASA is finished, do you think about applying what you learned in our country?
– Working at NASA is not only a personal pride for me, but also an opportunity to represent my country internationally. I am thinking of returning once my activity is finished, because the main objective of my research here is to apply the knowledge and experience I have acquired in our country and the region. My research area mainly covers Azerbaijan and the regions around the Caspian Sea. At the same time, I plan to continue my cooperation with NASA and establish close relationships with other research centers. This approach will help promote our scientific development in accordance with modern standards and increase our national scientific potential. The Caucasus region plays the role of a very convenient laboratory for large-scale scientific research. However, it is worrying that the materials are outdated and unavailable. New technological innovations are not addressed as much. We have to keep up with the world and it’s not okay to be complacent about the countries around us. I would very much like these modern technologies to be applied in our country. Because there is a great need for satellite data across the board.
