‘Korea became my home’: Iran-born scientist discusses research, naturalization and future

For Mohammad Mirzaie, a senior research fellow studying laser-plasma interaction at Korea’s Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Korea was virtually terra nova — he completed his bachelor's and master's in his home country, Iran, before beginning his doctoral and postdoctoral research career at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China.

Today, however, Korea is much more than a place where he continues his research. It has become his home, a place where he has made his mark on the field and begun building a future with his family.

“The main reason why I chose Korea was that Korea had the world's most powerful laser at the time and was one of the top countries in this field,” Mirzaie said. “It’s not only because Korea has top-notch equipment.”

He added, “It comes from all these hardworking researchers who are eager to contribute to Korea’s research development and the country’s efforts to provide them with the best environment and access to top-quality research equipment.”

Having conducted research in Korea for seven years at the IBS Center for Relativistic Laser Science located on the campus of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, he has achieved several notable accomplishments, including the world’s first laboratory demonstration of nonlinear Compton scattering in a strongly nonlinear regime using only an ultra-intense laser — an achievement that may help scientists one day use powerful lasers to replicate various astrophysical phenomena on Earth.

In recognition of his contributions to Korea’s basic science, Mirzaie was approved for special naturalization as an outstanding talent in July.

Despite his achievements, Mirzaie said he still has much to do in his research career, as well as a bigger vision of helping foster the next generation of talent in Korea.

“Korea is still one of the leading countries in our field, and it’s advancing even further,” Mirzaie said. “However, for Korea to continue seeing this kind of advancement, it needs young, creative talent who can contribute to it.

He added that while top talent in Korea seemingly prefers medical school, one of his goals here is to contribute to "fostering the next generation of researchers" as "basic science is the foundation of everything."

“So, someday, I would like to continue my teaching career here [...], and I would be proud to be part of Korea’s research development,” Mirzaie said.

The Korea JoongAng Daily sat down with researcher Mirzaie to learn more about his career and naturalization journey, the challenges of building a career in Korea as an international professional and his advice for others hoping to do the same.

Q. Could you tell us more about your research in Korea and its potential applications?

A. My research focuses on laser-plasma interaction, where we use ultra-intense lasers to accelerate particles such as electrons and protons. We are developing a new type of accelerator that can accelerate particles over a much shorter distance than conventional accelerators, which can require kilometers of equipment.

Our goal is to make these accelerators smaller, more affordable and eventually commercially usable. For example, they could be used in hospitals for cancer treatment, as well as in imaging and security to inspect semiconductors or scan large trucks at customs.

As scientists, our role is to develop the technology and prove that it works, while companies can then help turn it into practical products. I want to help Korea retain its position as a global leader in this technology.

What was the most decisive factor that made you want to stay here and eventually sign up for naturalization?

The research environment was one of the biggest factors.

Korea offers a strong research environment, with good access to resources and equipment. For example, this entire facility is dedicated to our research, so we have exclusive access to top-notch equipment, which is rare.

Also, over time, I started to feel that Korea was my home. I was no longer thinking of myself as someone working in a foreign country, and I felt that becoming a Korean citizen would also be good for my career and life in Korea.

My family also played a big role because Korea has such a safe environment and good educational opportunities for children.

My children are also more accustomed to Korean culture, food and language. My first daughter is 10 and has lived here for more than half of her life. Her Korean is almost flawless, and my second daughter was born here.

Was the naturalization process complicated? What was the process like?

I went through the special naturalization track for people with exceptional talents or achievements, so it may have been relatively easier than the regular process, but it was still not easy.

First, your achievements must be recognized by a designated institution, such as a government-run research institution, that can recommend you for the program.

There are also a lot of forms to fill out and, most importantly, a difficult interview conducted in Korean. So I had to take part in the Korea Immigration & Integration Program, or KIIP, and study Korean.

The interview covers several areas, including Korean history, culture and the political system. They can ask about everything, from Korean history to holidays and traditions, as well as how the Korean government and elections work.

One of the most memorable questions was about a traditional Korean wedding ceremony and why Koreans place two geese on the wedding table.

The answer concerned the couple's commitment and loyalty to each other. I remembered it from the text and answered correctly.

It was an interesting question because it was about a tradition that even many Koreans might not know much about.

Was there anything you wish could be fixed or improved during the naturalization process?

I think one important issue is that when an established family goes through the naturalization process, the remaining family members should also be able to apply through the same process.

As of now, naturalization is granted individually, so the other family members have to go through a separate process. It takes a lot of time, especially since family members may have varying levels of Korean proficiency.

You can end up in a situation where half of the family are Korean citizens, and the other half are not. I think this is an issue that could be improved.

Korea has already built a lot of infrastructure for foreigners, such as English-language websites and services. I think this could be expanded, especially for people receiving special naturalization.

Another Iranian professional, Shahabaldin Rezania, was granted special naturalization last year. Given the relatively small Iranian population in Korea, it’s interesting that two Iranians were granted special naturalization in a row. Do you think there is a reason?

I think one reason is that the Iranian community in Korea is relatively small, and many Iranians here are graduate students or researchers.

Most are master's or Ph.D. students, or scientists like me. So, compared with some other foreign communities, there are not that many Iranians in Korea.

It is therefore a relatively small and specialized community, and a significant portion of those who stay here are highly educated researchers or students.

A similar pattern can also be seen in the United States.

Do you have any new research-related or personal goals following your naturalization?

We are now working on a very important project. It can already be considered a top-tier project globally. It’s related to strong-field quantum electrodynamics, which is a very challenging area of science.

I’m proud of this because there aren’t many groups or countries working on it in this field. This theory has been well established for about 100 years, but nobody has been able to explore it experimentally in the lab and prove it.

We're working on that, and we still have more to do. I think we’ll have more results in the near future, and this will further demonstrate Korea’s leading role in this field.

Also, I’d like to continue teaching graduate students, either at a university or somewhere else in Korea, so we can pass on what we’ve learned to the next generation.

This is important because many students today want to work for high-tech companies to make more money.

Also, most of the smartest students in Korea go to medical school. Of course, that’s a personal choice, but science also needs smart and talented people who can push the field forward.

Basic science is the foundation for everything, so we need creative, talented and hardworking students in this field, and I want to help foster that talent.

Is there any advice you would like to give to young international scientists who are considering coming to Korea to pursue research careers?

Korea offers many opportunities for passionate people. If your passion is science, I think you can find a good research environment here.

However, research shouldn’t be an emotional decision. You shouldn’t just watch K-pop or K-dramas and think Korea is the perfect place to build your career.

Pursuing a career comes with challenges. Sometimes you’ll be disappointed or frustrated, but sometimes you’ll be very happy when you achieve your goals.

So, you need a clear plan. If you’re moving to another country as an immigrant or an expert, you have to be prepared for both difficult and good times.

You should also learn about the country beforehand, so you will not be shocked by cultural differences. Every country has its own work style and educational system, so it’s important to understand those differences.

You can follow your dreams, but you have to combine them with hard work and persistence.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]