Detina's corner in Politiko / Interview with Joseph Borg, the scientist of space missions

This time , the 'Corner of the Sea in Politiko' has focused on bio-medical science related to space missions.

The Albanian scientist, pedagogue at "Cambridge", Detina Zalli through the organization  'Zalli Foundation' has interviewed and learned more about the successes of a scientist, Professor Joseph Borg.

He is an academic, molecular geneticist and board group leader at the University of Malta and his main interest is in understanding globin gene switching, regulation and control of erythropoiesis to unlock the hidden secrets of life.   

In November 2020, the first biomedical science mission to the International Space Station began aboard a SpaceX CRS23 vehicle, the first under the Maleth Program, related to the promotion and understanding of life in space.  

Through some of Zall's questions, the professor will tell us some of the secrets to being a model of success and how research works will also serve future generations.

Interviewed by: Detina Zalli/ Zalli Foundation

How did you start your scientific career, did you always want to be a scientist?

I think my career is related to my family somehow. I have two older brothers, Arigo and Ardian, and both work in science. So the desire started a family.

What is your greatest achievement so far?

I think my biggest breakthrough in science came during my doctoral year, when I was working on a very specific family study.

That was all about changing the hemoglobin genes. This discovery served many people and many other research groups in Europe and elsewhere.

You are leading the board group at the University of Malta and you are an excellent leader. People describe you as an outstanding leader and team worker. In your opinion, what are the most important attributes of successful leaders today?

Ne sot jetojmë në një kohë sfiduese dhe sfidat vijnë për shkak të ritmit të shpejtë dhe zhvillimit të shpejtë që përjetojmë që jetojmë ditë pas dite. Mendoj se për të qenë i suksesshëm si një lider është jashtëzakonisht e rëndësishme të dish të bashkëpunosh.

Dua të them se që një person për të qenë i suksesshëm dhe për të qenë një lider nuk mund të jetë një prijës i të gjitha zanateve dhe një mjeshtër i tyre. Ju duhet të shkëlqeni në një fushë, por gjithashtu duhet të delegoni dhe diskutoni zgjuarsinë edhe me të tjerët. 

A mund të na tregoni pak më shumë për qëllimet tuaja aktuale, për eksperimentet tuaja të ardhshme në ISC (Qendra Ndërkombëtare Hapësinore) dhe cili është misioni juaj?

Are my goals current? There are many, but some of the important ones is to understand life in its glory, and this is not only human life, but also the complex mechanisms that make a cell alive. This is always a constant goal for me./ Politiko.al/