Sometimes it’s not what’s on our CVs or our academic qualifications that gives us that certain X Factor which propels us to success. Often it’s simply the ability to adapt, grow and have the confidence to challenge ourselves to step outside our comfort zones.
Tyndall’s goal is to attract and nurture people with diverse talents and excellent skills, enabling all to reach their full potential.
Today we are showcasing Dr Ramsey Selim, the Program Manager of the Photonics Packaging and System Integration Group. His special hidden talent lies within the art of Photography. It requires a keen eye for detail, practice and perseverance. As a photographer, Ramsey uses a blend of technical and artistic acumen to produce pictures that tell a specific story, give an internal message or record an event. He also describes how his passion for photography marries his love of science and travel.
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Photonics Packaging and System Integration Group,
Tyndall.
What is your hidden talent?
I love getting out and exploring the world around me wherever I am, taking photos and sharing them through social media. This is both local, in and around Cork, as well as further afield across Ireland, (and worldwide pre-COVID-19). I was delighted to recently win 1st place in Tyndall’s Rediscover Ireland photography competition. I share my photos on Instagram, where I manage accounts for sharing local travel photography with a collective of over 450k followers; @UnlimitedIreland @UnlimitedScotland (100k+) @UnlimitedBritain (100k+) are some examples.
What sparked your interest?
Since I was a kid I’ve always been fascinated with how light interacts with objects producing phenomena like rainbows and iridescence in butterfly wings, clouds and minerals. This interest grew into studying light and becoming an optical lens and photonic chip designer. The extraordinary nature of light alongside my passion to travel and explore inspired me to pick up a camera to capture light through a lens, usually dramatic landscapes scenery, portraits, nature and architecture. As mentioned earlier, I like to travel, in fact, so far, I’ve been to 37 countries, lived in 8 (working or studying at least 6 months), and called 14 cities or villages home, of course moving houses in the same area doesn’t count! This interest in travel and exploration fits really well with my role in Tyndall, as I have the best of both worlds; satisfying my curiosity for driving innovative technology especially optics and photonics, and nourishing my curiosity for travel and exploration.
In my free time, you can find me exploring near and far* with a camera in hand, and a drone in the sky.
*COVID travel restrictions may apply
What is your current role?
In my current role, I am Tyndall’s lead in our EUROPRACTICE services partnership, a Horizon2020 funded programme, where I work on making technology accessible to academics, researchers, start-ups and SMEs. Typically, this involves access to foundry services so innovators can make their chips. I also help people integrate their system with the outer world through packaging and integration services. This usually consists of engaging and interacting with people, either face-to-face (pre-COVID) or via video-conferencing platforms. The face-to-face interaction offers me the opportunity to travel to technology houses, which ticks both boxes for me; technology enthusiast, and travel lover.
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to travel and explore inspired me to pick up a camera to capture light through a lens"
- Dr Ramsey Selim
How has your hidden talent complemented your role and/or enhanced your research?
I find both social media and how we interact with one another through such platforms interesting. Managing accounts with a total of 0.5 million followers in my free time, has helped me hone my skills in interacting with people from various backgrounds and how to communicate with a wide audience. It has also helped me learn best practice approaches in how to run contests, engage with people and quickly identify how to support them in their own projects. From a technical perspective, I have learnt so much from photography; light effects, lens design, data processing and analysis, how to enhance an optical signal based on the image you are looking for, and the list goes on! There are also many positive side effects that I have noticed… one is that it has helped with my fondness of the life-long learning process, and enjoying “the process”, allowing myself to be inspired by others’ work, and given me the motivation to ensure my work inspires others.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try your hidden talent?
Enjoy yourself! Whether it is travel, social media or photography, or, as in my case, a combination of all three, enjoy what you are doing.
Check out Ramsey's amazing Photography Portfolio