A physics student with a Viksu victory and an eye on research

With his classical geometry entry, Sakke Suomalainen was chosen as the winner in the national category of the 2010 Viksu competition. This achievement encouraged him to study physics at the University of Helsinki, and also strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in research.

“Winning the competition was great, and it was so rewarding to hear my work being praised so highly. I believe that the win further motivated me to continue in my studies and pursue a career as a researcher. It didn’t, however, change my mind about what I wanted to study. I had been interested in conducting research already prior to entering the competition,” explains Sakke.

Mathematics was the natural subject matter for Sakke’s entry, since he attended Helsingin matematiikkalukio, an upper secondary school with an emphasis on mathematics. His study focused on extending the two-dimensional Mohr-Mascheroni Theorem into the third dimension.

“It was difficult to find a topic for the competition entry, since I wanted to do something creative. I had hoped to find something that was relatively simple, but which hadn’t been considered before or about which nothing had ever been published,” Sakke remembers.

The topic began to materialise when the mathematics teacher who supervised Sakke’s work suggested that Sakke do something related to ruler and compass geometry. “When I browsed through the Internet, I came upon interesting results on various limitations concerning compass and ruler geometry. I was most fascinated by the Mohr-Mascheroni Theorem. In retrospect, the expansion of the theorem to the third dimension is a rather natural direction for such research.”

Physics and the desire to travel

In addition to being a catalyst for his studies, participation in the Viksu competition also had other rewards for Sakke, since the competition’s prize money enabled him to travel during the summer after the competition. “Soon after the competition was over, a group from our upper secondary school made a spring trip to Cern. During the summer, I cycled around Central Europe and, later, went hiking in Northern Lapland,” says Sakke. The doors to the University of Helsinki opened on the first try, and in the autumn, Sakke began his physics studies. He is satisfied with his decision to apply to the Department of Physics, and states that his studies have gotten underway smoothly. Sakke’s goal is to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in theoretical physics within a few years and thereafter, later, a Master's Degree, most likely in mathematical physics. “The best part of my studies has been the increase in my own understanding and knowledge, as well as the feeling that I can, in the future, offer my own contribution to the world of science. At the moment, I live in the remotest corner of the Viikki Campus, and I am trying to complete the last of my spring term studies before the summer arrives. I am so glad that the jogging and cycling weather has finally arrived! One of my short-term goals is to run a half marathon next summer in less than two hours.” The adventures in Europe during the summer after upper secondary school only served to increase Sakke’s desire to travel. “In addition to studying, I would like to see more of the world by bicycle or train. I am interested in all the countries I have never visited. I will also likely do a study exchange before I write my Master’s thesis, particularly if my French studies continue to go well,” Sakke plans.

A life-long fascination with science

A career in research has always been in the planning for Sakke, long before he participated in the Viksu competition. “I don’t remember exactly when my interest in research originally took off. It seems like I have always had an interest in science,” he states.

“I appreciate the inherent value in understanding and knowledge. On the other hand, technology, which wouldn’t exist without science, can be and is being abused. I still believe, however, that any production of knowledge that is as objective as possible and the subsequent increase in understanding based on that knowledge is a good thing. I also believe that science teaches people critical, rational ways of thinking and motivates them to understand things better.”

Why did Sakke decide then to study physics instead of the source of his great interest and the subject of his Viksu entry, namely mathematics? “I think that mathematics is beautiful. It is indescribably great how many things you can achieve through theoretical research, and how it leads one to continuously find connections with nature and the real world around us. I selected, as my field, mathematical physics, because I think of mathematics ‘simply’ as a tool. As a physicist, I can use mathematics, but, at the same time, I will be studying something concrete,” Sakke explains.

Sakke encourages future Viksu competitors to enjoy the process involved in preparing their entry work. “The work will inevitably be more successful if you find the process fun and rewarding. It is also important to think carefully when choosing your topic for the work. Finding the right topic is half of the Viksu challenge!”

Text: Heidi Blomqvist

Photos: Sakke Suomalainen