We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Selva Chandrasekaran below.

Selva Chandrasekaran, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?

A Journey of Determination: Selva’s Path to Science

In a small village named Chinnakarattupatty, located in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state, a young boy named Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj dreamed of a life beyond the fields his family had tended for generations. Born into a poor agricultural family, Selva’s future seemed predetermined – his parents expected him to find work as a helper in a nearby garment factory after finishing school.

But Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj harbored a secret passion for science. Despite his struggles with English, he found himself captivated by the stories of great thinkers. Two figures, in particular, shaped his worldview: Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and Archimedes.

Periyar’s words resonated deeply with Selva. “Dignity and wisdom are the true beauty of a person(In Tamil: மானமும் அறிவும் மனிதனுக்கு அழகு)”, Periyar had said. He spoke of how some nations were advancing science and technology, while others clung to superstition. This made Selva realize that without further education, he might never achieve the dignity and wisdom he craved.

In the same way, Archimedes’ bold statement, “Give me a stable point in this universe, and I can move the earth,” fired Selva’s imagination. The idea that scientific principles could explain the workings of the entire universe fascinated him. When his physics teacher introduced the BCS theory of superconductivity, Selva was awestruck. Learning that Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer had conducted their groundbreaking research in the USA, Selva decided to set an seemingly impossible goal: to become a researcher of their caliber in America.

The obstacles were immense. Selva’s limited English proficiency, his family’s financial constraints that prevented him from pursuing higher education, and his lack of exposure to the world beyond his hometown all seemed insurmountable. After completing his schooling, his parents urged him to take a job at the nearby garment factory, a path that seemed predetermined for a young man from a humble background. For two months, Selva worked there, his dreams of scientific pursuits dwindling with each passing day.

But when his school exam results were released, Selva escaped from the factory and rushed to the local college to apply for undergraduate studies without telling his parents. It was a bold and risky move that would strain his relationship with his family and push him to his limits financially.

The years that followed were filled with struggle. Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj faced financial hardships and lack of parental support. Yet he persevered, driven by his passion for science and the words of Periyar and Archimedes that echoed in his mind.

Thirteen years later, against all odds, Selva’s determination paid off. The boy who once seemed destined for a life in the garment factory had transformed himself into a materials researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago, specializing in quantum chemical calculations.

Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj’s journey from a small Indian village to the forefront of scientific research in America is a testament to the power of education, determination, and the inspiring words of great thinkers. His story reminds us that with passion and perseverance, even the most improbable dreams can become reality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a researcher in the field of computational materials science and I use quantum chemical concepts and machine learning methods to tackle challenging materials science problems. My work includes the design and development of high-performance green materials for energy conversion, storage, and utilization using quantum and molecular mechanics simulations along with machine-learning methods. My research position is currently affiliated with the University of Illinois Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory

https://sites.google.com/view/selva-chandrasekaran-selvaraj
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vNozeNYAAAAJ&hl=en

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Selva, despite his unquestioning obedience to his parents, possessed a deep-rooted determination to pursue his academic goals. While his parents’ mindset was diametrically opposed to his aspirations, Selva remained unwavering in his pursuit of knowledge.

From his undergraduate studies to his doctoral degree, Selva persevered for nearly a decade, gradually convincing his uneducated parents of his potential. Despite the lack of familial support, he maintained a positive outlook and remained committed to his studies.

In a village where prolonged academic pursuits without immediate employment were often met with skepticism, Selva’s dedication was commendable. Although his English proficiency was limited, his understainding of physics, math, and chemistry in his native Tamil language was undeniable.

After ten years of dedicated study, Selva achieved his dream of becoming Dr. Selva, a specialist in computational materials science. His academic success finally convinced his parents of his capabilities, paving the way for his continued journey.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Backstory:
Selva Chandrasekaran Selvaraj grew up in a small village in southern India, with limited exposure to the world beyond his immediate surroundings. During his school years, his interactions were likely confined to a small, homogeneous group of people from similar backgrounds.

This limited exposure led Selva to develop a habit of making quick judgments about people based on his narrow frame of reference. Without diverse experiences or interactions with people from different walks of life, Selva found himself forming opinions about others without truly understanding their circumstances, motivations, or backgrounds.

However, after his graduation, Selva’s world expanded significantly. As he pursued higher education and eventually made his way to becoming a materials researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago, he encountered a much more diverse group of people from various cultural, social, and educational backgrounds.

These new experiences and interactions challenged Selva’s preconceived notions and taught him the importance of suspending judgment. He learned to approach people with an open mind, to listen and understand before forming opinions, and to appreciate the complexity of human experiences.

This unlearning process was crucial for Selva’s personal and professional growth. It allowed him to build better relationships, collaborate more effectively in his research, and develop a more nuanced understanding of the world around him. The lesson of not judging people prematurely became an important part of Selva’s journey from a small village in India to becoming a successful researcher in the United States.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/selva-chandrasekaran-selvaraj
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selvachandrasekaranselvaraj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selvachandrasekaranselvaraj/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selvachandrasekaranselvaraj/
• Twitter: https://x.com/selva_odc
• Other: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vNozeNYAAAAJ&hl=en
  https://github.com/selvachandrasekaranselvaraj