For the past 50 years, the Canadian Scientific and Christian Affiliation has facilitated discussions about science and Christian faith in Canada. As part of our 50th-anniversary celebrations, we asked 50 CSCA members to comment on their personal connections to science, scripture, and Canadian scenery. We will share these contributions throughout 2023 in the hope that you will find them engaging and encouraging.
CSCA member of the week: Vlad Paserin, Research consultant, Adjunct Assis. Professor (Univ. of Waterloo, Vapometallurgy).
1. Why did you choose your scientific discipline?
Probably the best answer is that I was motivated by the desire to do something interesting while I earn my living. I was partway through my studies in electrical engineering when I decided to emigrate from Eastern Europe (partly to avoid the compulsory military service and to see for myself what the imperialist West really looked like). I was offered one year of credits in Physics and zero credits in Engineering in Waterloo, so I chose to continue my studies in the Physics dept. My employment eventually led me to work at the interface of Physics, Chemistry and Engineering to extract metals such as nickel, iron and cobalt economically and environmentally responsibly from various mining and secondary sources – metals and materials, which are becoming known in the new electric era as the “battery materials.”
2. What is one of your favourite Bible verses and why?
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
—Philippians 4:8
I like this verse because it represents such a useful guideline for the thoughts that should occupy our minds.
3. Which Canadian city or landscape do you love exploring and why?
I love exploring Bruce peninsula in Ontario, the crystal-clear waters of Georgian Bay and Niagara escarpment landscapes. My latest discovery is the Crowsnest Pub in Tobermory, which carries a similar name to the Crownsnest Pass in AB/BC, but has very different content and motivation for visiting. However, only a short walk away, spectacular scenes of Caribbean-like nature can be found (except for the water temperature).