Curiosity and inspiration are individual and are determined by the inner charge and the person's desire to explore the world

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..
My name is prof. Ignat Ignatov and I was born on 1.01.1963 in Teteyen. I am a biophysicist and have over 500 scientific articles. We organize together with the Municipality of Teteyen annually on June 11 since 2010 the event "Days of Mountain Water". There are three main scientific directions I focus on. Research and analysis of the behavior of water molecules and the hydrogen bonds between them are related to the formation of groups of water molecules – clusters. In 2010, I created a concept for the emergence of life in hot mineral water. The main research is conducted with water from Rupite. From 2012 to 2019, I studied nearly 500 centenarians and their siblings. The balance of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, and manganese is one of the secrets of longevity in my research on water and food as factors for health and longevity. The research has been published in leading scientific journals in co-authorship with prominent scientists.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?
A physicist.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?
I earned my first money on a brigade during the summer vacation after the eighth grade in Teteyen. We picked raspberries and I earned 84 BGN, with 25 stotinki paid per kilogram. In the 10th grade, we were on a brigade in the village of Golyam Izvor, Teteyen region. A local youth was courting our classmate. We did not allow him into our group. He stole the brigade's flag, and if we hadn't found it, we would have been disbanded. We quickly found it at his place, placed high up. It was clear that the young man had no idea what he was doing. Another incident. One evening, one of the youths went out in work clothes because he thought it was morning and we were going to pick raspberries. We were literally doubled over with laughter.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is your recipe for curiosity, sources, and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?
It is difficult to transfer the factors from the 70s to today. Curiosity and inspiration are individual and are determined by the inner charge and the person's desire to explore the world.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in more mature age regarding what motivates you to do or not do something?
There is a difference in terms of experience. However, if a person retains energy, it is the best thing they can achieve.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was this decision correct, viewed from today's perspective?
The decision was mine and it is the most correct to study physics.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?
Since my youth, I have been passionate about sports. I was in the CSKA bodybuilding team and placed fourth in national competitions. I was in the project national team for bobsleigh for the Olympic Games in Calgary in 1988. I love swimming, volleyball, and football as my sports activities. Naturally – the mountains and the seas.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?
My profession offers many opportunities and activities. In this direction, there are changes in various areas of biophysics.

It is said that the personal brand is everything that people say about you when you are not in the same room with them. What would you like to hear today?

What is nice to hear is that I help realize dreams.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills, are key conditions for success in recent years. 

How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?
Positive experience of successes, otherwise a person becomes mechanized and fatigue sets in faster. Quick forgetting of failures and accepting them as lessons.

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily – colleagues, friends, relatives?
Do not emphasize shortcomings, we all have them. Seek a way for positive motivation of other people.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?
Money is part of life and is related to activity. Nowadays, people are less idealistic than 20–30 years ago. Part of the money should be invested in the direct activity a person is engaged in, as well as for health.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?
The world is what we create, and the boldest dreams can come true.