Interview with Prof. Dragomir Neshev

Yue Liu: Today I am pleased to introduce Professor Dragomir Neshev in Physics at the Australian National University (ANU), who is the Meta Active spokesmen at the Australian side. In addition, he also serves as the Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems (TMOS). He is deeply involved in the Meta-Active program, which provides physics students with the opportunity to pursue a dual degree at ANU in Australia and the University of Jena in Germany.

Professor Dragomir Neshev is the recipient of a number of awards, including a Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship (ARC, 2010), an Australian Research Fellowship (ARC, 2004), a Marie-Curie Individual Fellowship (European Commission, 2001), and the Academic award for the best young scientist (Sofia University, 1999).

What do you hope to achieve in the next 5 years?
Prof. Dragomir Neshev: For the Meta-Active program, our goal is to attract more students in Austria and Germany to join, with a target of at least 100 students. We aim to build a large community. As for my personal academic goals, I aim to develop a unique spatial light modulator that includes meta-optics.

Which open questions do you want to answer with your research?
I am interested in modulating light with high efficiency and contrast across different polarizations, as well as achieving subwavelength accuracy in spatial modulation.

What are your current or upcoming hot topics?
I am currently focused on developing methods for efficiently converting infrared to visible light and leveraging meta-optics for applications in mobile phones, cameras, and enhancing human vision to perceive previously invisible objects.

Can you share insights into your career journey, did you always plan to become a professor?
No, becoming a professor was not a predetermined goal for me. However, I have always been passionate about science. When I was 6 years, I already have interest in rockets. One day, one German delegation visited my mom´s company, they give us small module of microscope as a gift. To see tiny objects through this microscope was impressive. After I went to university, I persue my research interests step by step, and then my dream comes true. I am lucky to do things I like the most in a professional way.

You´ve got Marie-Curie Individual Fellowship, was it difficult or easy for you to apply for it?
It didn´t seem to be difficult, I just wrote what I want to do, about my research. But it was good for me, because before I got this award, I wasn´t very sure that I want to be a scientist. Receiving the Marie-Curie Individual Fellowship provided me with the freedom to pursue my research interests and solidify my commitment to the field.

How do you approach leading a research group and fostering a positive team environment?
First, motivate people to do what they want to do, guide them not force them. Second, listen to people and help them.

What qualities do you consider essential for a PHD Student?
Passion for science, be strong, not give up. Be able to communicate with other people.

You were working and studying in different countries, in Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Australia. What opportunities and challenges you encountered as an academic nomad?
In Bulgaria, because of the political reason, in that time it was difficult. In the Netherlands, it was difficult to find an accommodation. And the culture was very different, everybody is independent, only if you ask for a help, other people will help you.
In the early 2000 I came to Australia, the funding situation was good, people are friendly, and now my family is here.

Last question is a classical one: Could you give some advises for the current generation, who wants to be a scientist?
Do things you like. Challenge yourself to do things that are difficult and don´t give up. Maintain curiosity.