“Using his passion for applied physics, Mario Hofmann wants to leave the world a better place than he found it. From his early days studying in Germany to pursuing his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mario was always searching for the connection between research and its real-world applications. His quest for scientific knowledge led him to explore research institutions around the world, eventually taking up a professorship at National Taiwan University. Through his academic journey, he discovered how diversity drives research, developed a passion for leading students, and explored the potential of nanostructures to change our world.”
研究成為心之所向
出生於德國東部大城德勒斯登的謝馬利歐教授，在年輕時期便瞭解自己的研究方向不單單只是純物理學，而是如何將物理學應用於現實生活之中。因著對「應用」物理的熱愛，他前往德國小鎮伊爾默瑙就讀大學，位在當地的伊爾默瑙工業大學(Technische Universität Ilmenau)是德國兩所設有應用物理學課程的大學之一，這開啟了想透過物理帶給社會正面影響的馬利歐教授探究科學、發揮所能、通往世界的一扇大門。
During his master’s studies in Ilmenau, he took advantage of the university’s internship program and interned at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There he found himself surrounded by likeminded scholars where were passionate about research and excited about pushing the envelope. “I could see myself doing that for the rest of my life,” he said. Mario had found a place where his passion could thrive.
He decided to pursue his doctoral studies at MIT, where he joined the research group led by Professor Mildred S. Dresselhaus, known as the “queen of carbon.” Their research focused on carbon nanostructures and their applications in electronics. Noticing the differences research culture in both Germany and the US, Mario’s interest was piqued. He wanted to learn how labs function in other countries as well.
帶著對臺大學術異質性及高品質的正面印象，他加入陳永芳教授的研究團隊成為博士後研究員，在那裡，團隊裡的成員帶著獨具個人風格的方式探索問題，思考的廣度及多變性讓彼此良性競爭以尋找解決問題最佳的方式，在這裡沒有正確答案，只有不同學者無價的研究方法及學術見解遍地開花。這個健康、獨立、良善的學術環境讓馬利歐教授決定留在臺灣學術領域成為教師，他前往成功大學擔任助理教授，隨後返回臺灣大學擔任教授。
Becoming a globe trotter, Mario visited research labs in the University of Tokyo, Brazil, and England. “Culture is something you cannot separate from research,” he discovered, “Culture drives research.” When he ended up in Taiwan at NTU, he found the local research mentality to be an exciting combination of Asian and Euro-American systems. It was well structured and put an emphasis on individual responsibility, well allowing the freedom to explore new ideas no matter your position.
Left with such a positive impression of NTU, he decided to return here for his postdoctoral fellowship, joining the research team led by Professor Yang-Fang Chen(陳永芳). He found the breadth of ideas as diverse as the research approaches. “The research here is as diverse as the background of the professors,” he said, “There is a heterogeneity here that wouldn’t have in other research institutions.” Mario observed how Taiwan benefits from the diversity and competition of ideas, as scholars with different backgrounds come together each with their own way to explore a problem.
國際化實驗室—MYLab
Leading a Research Team at NTU
以臺灣為家
臺灣對於馬利歐教授是友善且熱情、是安全且美麗。從依山傍水的大自然美景到日常生活裡陌生人不遺餘力的幫助，甚至到為人們的早晨提供美味及溫暖的在地早餐店，都讓馬利歐教授感受到臺灣的不同於其他國家的人情味及社群意識。與家人漫步在大自然裡，與兒子及學生在足球場上踢球、一起將探索臺大校園及周圍環境視為一場探險是馬利歐教授平時的樂趣。
As a leader, Mario gives his students the freedom to explore research questions in their own way. “We learn how to be independent scientists under his guidance,” said Ting-Chun Huang, a 5th year PhD student working in Mario’s lab. Karthika Vijayan, a 4th year graduate student, said “Every project you come up with is totally your project and you can handle it anyway you would like.” The students also commented how the diversity of the lab encourages community and helps move their research forward, as the team works together displaying their own emergent behavior.
隨著相比於十幾年前首次來臺之時，臺灣變得更加國際化，對不同文化有更多的包容。臺大也慢慢建築起對海外學者及訪客友好的校園，無論是日益增加以英文進行的課程及會議，還是處處都能看到的國際生相關活動，都讓校園內外環境更豐富且多元。除此之外，臺大致力於研究發展的承諾也在逐步實現當中，教授與學生的合作更密切，實驗室能得到完善資金挹注、設備資源等照顧。「我希望能邀請外國學者訪問臺灣及臺大，讓他們體驗這裡的研究能量，與主動積極、有禮且聰明的學生們共事，因為我從他們身上獲得的與他們向我學的是一樣多的，和他們一起成長是很愉快的事。」
夕陽餘暉，足球場上的比賽結束，大家在場邊板凳上擦著汗喝著水，討論剛剛比賽的精采之處，“It was a nice shot, Jason!”謝馬利歐教授對著就讀小學的兒子這麼說到，學生們紛紛附和，給予Jason大大的讚美，談話聲及笑聲此起彼落，大家的談笑風生在夕陽照耀下，份外唯美。
Since Mario first came to NTU as a postdoc in 2011, he has noticed how it has become much more internationalized. “There are tangible efforts to make the environment more welcoming to foreign researchers and visitors,” he said. Meetings are routinely conducted in English and the staff is multilingual. In return, this makes the culture around the university increasingly vibrant and diverse.
Outside campus bounds, Mario is consistently amazed by the warmth of Taiwanese people. “Random strangers will go out of their way to help you,” he said. To him, one representative aspect of Taiwanese culture is breakfast stores, which serve customers as they head to work in the early morning. “People wake up in the middle of the night and work hard to make your day,” he said, “You feel that kind of warmth and deliciousness.”
Mario also commented on the safety and strong sense of community in Taiwan. “That’s why we felt Taiwan is a great place to raise our kids,” he said, telling us about his family life, “Our two boys are enjoying the simulating environment in and around NTU.” They often come to the soccer field and find students to play with together.
Taiwan’s natural beauty is also a highlight for Mario and his family. In Chiayi, they lived by banana plantations at the foots of mountains. “I’d like to invite foreign scholars to visit Taiwan and experience the amazing natural beauty and equally amazing people here,” he said, “As long as you have a sense of adventure and an open mind, you will make unforgettable memories in Taiwan.”
