If people experience the sense of wonder we feel every day in the laboratory, they will fall in love with science – YSU researcher Vahram Grigoryan

The advancement of the scientific sector in Armenia requires not only a deep study of theoretical knowledge but also its application in real life. Vahram Grigoryan, who leads the Scientific Group for Advanced Light Control and serves as a senior researcher at the Photonics and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of YSU Research Institute of Physics, follows precisely that path by creating solutions that combine the frontiers of science with modern technological demands.

What inspired him to choose physics as a professional path? What has his journey been like, and what kind of work are contemporary scientists engaged in? We discussed these and other questions with Vahram Grigoryan.   

– Vahram, how did you choose physics as your professional path, and what has your journey in science been like?  

– Since my school years, I have always been deeply curious about how the world works on a fundamental level. Physics is a field where you don’t just observe phenomena—you also come to understand their underlying causal relationships.

In 2001, I was admitted to the Faculty of Radiophysics at Yerevan State University (now the Institute of Physics). I then continued my studies in the same faculty through the master’s and PhD programs, earning my PhD in 2010. After that, I began my scientific career at KAUST University in Saudi Arabia. From there, I moved to China, where I spent nearly 10 years working at various institutions, including Fudan University (Shanghai), Beijing Normal University, and the Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen), among others. Eventually, I returned to Armenia and joined YSU. 

– Were there any people or events that influenced your decision to pursue this profession and shaped your professional development?

– Yes, definitely. In general, my love for science and education, as well as my understanding of their importance, came from my parents and family. More specifically, my interest in physics developed thanks to my first teacher and, later, my school physics teacher. As for my career path, I believe that everyone I met—whether in school or university—played a role in influencing it.

– Since when have you been working at YSU? What kind of work and research are you currently doing at the university? 

– I’ve been working at YSU since 2022.  At first, I joined the Photonics and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory as a senior researcher. Currently, I lead the Scientific Group for Advanced Light Control. Our primary research direction involves developing new methods for spatial control of various properties of light — such as its phase or polarization — across different frequency ranges. 

– What specific challenges are you addressing by combining photonics and artificial intelligence in your lab? What practical applications might your research have?

– Spatial light modulators are used in scientific, military, and commercial fields. Their main purpose is to "write" information onto propagating light or to shape a light beam in a desired way. The main challenge we’re working to solve is the current dependence of spatial light modulators on the wavelength of the light being modulated. In our proposed approaches, that dependence is eliminated, which opens up significantly broader possibilities for practical application. 

– Vahram, what does a typical workday look like for you? How does it begin and end? 

– My workday usually begins with reading and responding to emails. Then, I have discussions with the group members. Specifically, we assess the current stage of both the experimental and theoretical parts of ongoing research, identify any problems, and discuss possible solutions. There are also technical and administrative tasks that need attention. Another important part of the day is finding time to study new scientific papers and other relevant materials, especially those connected to our research. Science is evolving rapidly, and staying up to date with those developments is essential.  

Vahram Grigoryan is engaged not only in experimental and theoretical research but also actively presents the outcomes of his work to the scientific community. His published articles encompass both fundamental theoretical directions — including spintronics and solid-state physics — as well as ongoing experimental investigations in the field of optics. In the past, his research primarily focused on magnetic materials and their interactions with electromagnetic waves. At present, his studies are predominantly experimental in the domain of optics.

Speaking about the achievements, Vahram highlights that his group won the "Support for the Integration of Foreign Scientists into the Scientific Community of the Republic of Armenia-2023" competition announced by the Armenian Higher Education and Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, under the program. In the same year, they were also awarded in the "Dual-Use Scientific Projects – 2023" competition. 

When asked how they cope with research or experimental failures, the researcher responds that such moments are an inseparable part of science. According to him, when something doesn’t work out, it is necessary to change one’s perspective, approach the issue from a different angle, listen to alternative opinions, and study the literature more thoroughly.

"Science cannot exist without creativity. Mathematics is merely the language through which we describe phenomena, but the idea, the new model, or the experimental innovation emerges from creative thinking," says Vahram. 

– Vahram, what is your view on the current state of fundamental science in Armenia? What challenges and opportunities exist for young scientists?

– Fundamental science in Armenia is currently undergoing a phase of transformation. There is certainly a generational shift, which poses a challenge, but at the same time, there is significant potential. Young people are showing interest, and improving laboratory conditions along with expanding international collaborations can rapidly change the current state.

– Society often lacks a clear understanding of what scientists actually do. In your opinion, how can we spark more public interest in science? Is there a need for that?

– Science should not be presented merely as a collection of formulas or mathematical models, but rather as a compelling story that explains why the world is the way it is. Scientists should speak more often in public forums — in clear, relatable language, full of examples. If people experience the sense of wonder we feel every day in the laboratory, they will fall in love with science.  

– What advice would you give to students who wish to begin working in scientific research?

– First: patience. Science does not yield quick results. Second: curiosity. When curiosity fades, the work becomes ordinary. And third: international collaboration. One must have the courage to push the boundaries — to try, to fail, and to try again.

Although Vahram Grigoryan’s daily schedule is quite full, he continues to set new goals for himself. He aims to expand collaborations with European (and beyond) laboratories and to develop new technologies in the field of photonics — technologies that, in just a few years, may be used in a variety of practical applications.