The Story of Mikuláš with Visual Impairment ****************************************************************************************** * Mikuláš Klenor: I’m Learning to See Things Differently ****************************************************************************************** In biology, there’s always room for a bit of magic," says Mikuláš Klenor, a 22-year-old st  Faculty of Science at Charles University [ URL "https://natur.cuni.cz/en"] , who, despite impairment, also works at the  Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czec Sciences (IOCB) [ URL "https://www.uochb.cz/en"] . He still dreams of molecular modeling—a music. I must admit, at the beginning of our meeting, I had doubts about whether the young man si me really had a severe visual impairment. Mikuláš speaks thoughtfully, yet smiles almost c our conversation. While thinking, he occasionally adjusts unruly strands of hair falling i if I let him, he would happily talk for hours about molecular modeling. But I also wanted studies at the music conservatory turned out, how he’s doing at the Faculty of Science, an working at the elite IOCB. That’s exactly where I went—to the scientific kingdom of Dejvice—to meet with Mikuláš. It’ the labyrinth of corridors well and leads me confidently. A bit of uncertainty only shows a glass of water. During the interview, I learn that a degenerative retinal disease first he was seven years old. “It may sound strange, but I’m actually grateful for my disability look at the world from a completely different perspective,” says the handsome young man. Mikuláš, are you more of a conservatory student or a scientist? After a year and a half at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory, I realized the program didn’t expectations. I had hoped it would take me further. Until then, playing guitar had been ju Around the same time, I received an offer to work at the Academy of Sciences, and I had to options: Should I study at two schools, work in a lab, and barely see any of it properly? much for one person. So I quit the conservatory and focused on science. So science won? I’m currently studying biology, which I enjoy. But originally, I wanted to study bioinform biology on a computer. My dream was to do molecular modeling. Unfortunately, in my first y clear that adapting the coursework to my needs was going to be difficult. So I looked for would be easier for me to study. It might sound odd, but reading notes off the blackboard challenge for me. The ideal situation is when the lecturer uses PowerPoint, because then I lecture directly on my tablet. In the end, I’m still studying “my” bioinformatics thanks t selected biology courses that align with it. And what about after your final exams? I’d like to continue with a master’s degree. I want to focus more on the molecular side an my work at the IOCB. Once again, it looks like that dream of molecular modeling. I constan to create something, and molecular biology is rich in opportunities for creative science. simply more exact than biology, and you get the feeling that you can calculate everything. there’s always space for a bit of magic. It’s amazing how in biology everything happens within a kind of super-system—whether it’s body, or an entire ecosystem. Molecules and proteins only make sense in the context of the good to understand why something came into existence and where it’s heading through evolut Molecular biology is just fantastic—so full of information! And it’s also highly practical during the times of the plague, if they had managed to develop a vaccine within a year of how many lives could have been saved. Just like with the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s truly inc possible today. So you’re both a student and a researcher? Being at the IOCB is a unique opportunity to learn an incredible amount, and I really appr grateful to my supervisors, especially Professor Pavel Hobza (a renowned computational che of the most cited Czech scientists—editor’s note). Since I’m a biology student working in chemistry lab, some areas are a bit foreign to me, and I need time to understand them. Sti repay the trust Professor Hobza has placed in me. Hopefully, he’s satisfied with my work. What do you actually want to do in the future? I have a personal plan: By the time I’m forty, I’d like to work in molecular biology or ch possible that, due to my disability, I’ll lose my sight completely... In that case, I have finally kickstart my great music career. I’ll become a famous guitarist and singer (he lau So the guitar is still part of your life... In a way, it’s how I relax from my beautiful daydreams about molecules (he really drifts o I’m still a member of the Prague Chamber Guitar Orchestra. I meet with my fellow musicians close friends—every Thursday. We have an amazing conductor who would do anything for us. S him down a bit by not putting in enough time and effort. And because I can’t read music, s out of the question for me. I also never forget my sheet music at home—because I don’t use I simply have to memorize every piece. When learning a new part, I rely about 70% on liste shame we can’t meet up right now. Mikuláš, how has the pandemic affected you? It might sound strange, but I’ve actually benefited from this terrible situation. Lecturer online presentations, which I can finally follow in real-time during lectures! Plus, I sav otherwise spend commuting or sitting in class. So I actually feel happier with my work at either I’m watching lectures or working in the lab. Author: Marcela Uhlíková [ URL "https://www.ukforum.cz/marcela-uhlikova"] Photo: Hynek Glo Source: https://www.ukforum.cz/rubriky/studenti/7750-mikulas-klenor-ucim-se-divat-jinym-po "https://www.ukforum.cz/rubriky/studenti/7750-mikulas-klenor-ucim-se-divat-jinym-pohledem"