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From fishing to oceanography: Natural sciences as a profession

^{Fishing is not just a hobby for Jukka, it´s a lifestyle. “What keeps me going to fish time after time? Have you ever caught a trout or other salmonidae related fish? If you have, then you know!“}

“The underwater world has always fascinated me and motivated my studies, and so the decision whether to study fishery or natural science was really hard. I decided to keep my passion for fishing as a hobby and natural sciences would become my profession. I didn’t regret it. After high school I applied to the University of Turku for the Biochemistry and Physics programs in Finland. I was admitted into both, and I selected Physics”, Jukka Saarela says.

The first two years in the University were really hard for Jukka. But also during those two years he learned a lot; the basic mathematical tools and the fundamentals that geared him towards really understanding math. Those things require time and practice to get used to.

Decisions about the future

“After my third year I made a decision, that when I was younger I never would have believed I would have chosen to do. I decided to become a teacher of Natural Sciences, even though I was already interested in becoming a scientist at that time too. “

In the Laboratory and Demonstration classes –classes for the teachers program– Jukka experienced one of the most interesting classes throughout his whole university career in Turku.

“We got to plan, build and demonstrate basic physical phenomena, such as Newtonian Fluid (have you heard the tale in the bible where Jesus was walking on water; this kind of ‘water’ in physics is known as Newtonian fluid), applications in Optics, different kind of engines, rockets and so on. All of them were really fun to do, and the atmosphere in those classes wasn’t too serious either.”

The Measuring Methods in Physics, has been the most important class in Jukka´s studies as it changed his mind in terms of what he wanted to be in the future.

“I took the class in the fall of 2004. At the same time, one of the biggest natural disasters in the history of humankind occurred; the Indian Ocean Tsunami on December 26th, 2004. The class was about different methods to measure different physical parameters, also those occurring in the marine environment. I became quite interested in tsunamis and how these huge soliton waves could be detected before they even form or cause any damage, (in mathematics, a tsunami is defined as a soliton wave; a wave that doesn’t diminish while it travels and also has many other specific properties.)”

Underwater world studies

At the same time Jukka realized that the underwater world is barely studied at all compared to the visible world. Later, he wrote a little research paper about Tsunami Warning Systems, which in 2007, was completed and became his Bachelor’s Thesis.

Jukka´s interest in Ocean Studies continued and he started to dream about studying Oceanography. This dream took him to Humboldt State University, located in Northern California.

“I learned that in order to understand the ocean, it is essential to understand the behavior of the climate, as they work together in the dynamic system of the earth. So, a big part of my studies was focused on the climate. The ocean can be seen from physical, chemical, geological, and biological aspects, about which I gained valuable knowledge.”

They had many field cruises on the Pacific Ocean with HSU’s research vessel, the Coral Sea. During cruises they usually collected various samples using different methods, which were later, or on site, analyzed in a laboratory.

“I also got to spend plenty of time on the beautiful Californian beaches while collecting samples for various research projects we did, or just while chilling out. Whales, seals, sea lions, porpoises, sharks and other sea creatures were also often with me while hanging out on the coast.”

^{One of Jukka´s fishing places Truckee river in the North California.}

All about understanding

Now Jukka is back in Finland and he is doing his Master´s thesis about the interactions between different drug compounds and mesoporous silica materials in different solvents determined with infrared spectrometry and microcalorimetry.

In Jukka´s opinion the most important things in his university experience is the understanding of the ‘language’ of science and being critical towards what you read or study.

“Many times my students ask me if I already know everything. The more I have studied, the more I have noticed how little I know. But the good thing about science is it is not about remembering, it is all about understanding.”

Ella Airas is a journalist working for The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE and MyScience, among others. When she is not working she likes to spend her time in the nature and to photograph it. Travelling and documentary films are her passions.