Naim Mohammad Iraki
PhD '87, Botany and Plant Pathology
Age: 56
Title: Associate professor and director
Company: UNESCO, BETCEN, Bethlehem University
Location: Palestine
A.K.A.: Workaholic
1. Best advice…
The interactions of both my family and myself with the community of
Purdue's international students have acquainted me with a very important
notion that empathy, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are achievable
among groups of different cultures, races and colors. Through these
interactions, I recognized that science could be an ideal starting channel
of constructive communication between individuals of different ethnic
origins.
2. Boiler memory…
My first winter at Purdue, the temperature reached -27° C (-17°
F). My car doors froze shut. I tried to get them unstuck using hot water,
as I would have done at home. I poured the boiling water on the door
and it froze before it reached the ground. Needless to say, I reached
the lab by walking.
3. Thank you…
My major professor, Dr. Nick Carpita, developed in me the ability to
think creatively and work independently. He was a real model for working
hard. I often work from 8 a.m. to after 10 p.m. It is a habit I started
at Purdue, where I often worked in the lab until 3 a.m.
4. Great escape…
I listen to classical music - Bach is one of my favorites - to relax
and calm down after a long day.
In his words:
"At Purdue, I learned to appreciate the importance of applying
scientific knowledge and
