Abstract
“From Iran to Corvallis and Beyond”
June 2, 2014
Location: Rojhantalab residence, Portland, Oregon. Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)
In the interview, Rojhantalab discusses his upbringing and family in Iran, his decision to pursue further education in the United States, and the circumstances by which he arrived in Corvallis. He reflects in depth on his time at OSU, noting his social experience, his research agenda and the important role played in his life by Dr. Joseph Nibler and Lou Allamandola, who was a post-doctoral fellow at the time.
From there, Rojhantalab recounts his search for work following the completion of his doctoral studies, and his ultimate decision to return to Iran as an academic. He likewise describes the science publishing venture that he launched with three colleagues in the midst of a changing and increasingly undemocratic environment in Iran.
Rojhantalab's return to the United States and his eventual employment at Intel round out the interview. In the midst of this discussion, Rojhantalab lends his thoughts on maintaining work-life balance and provides words of advice for current OSU students. He also details a seven-month return trip to Iran that he took with his wife in 2013.