Diego Golombek is a scientist, storyteller, and artist who has built a career on exploring time – not just how it affects biological processes, such as circadian rhythms and ageing, but as a metaphor for the intricate rhythms of life itself.
Based out of the University of San Andrés Laboratorio de Investigación, Golombek’s research into biological clocks has shaped how we understand the human body’s internal rhythms. What sets him apart from other brilliant scientists is his ability to blend science with humour, humility, and creativity.
From winning an Ig Nobel Prize – a satirical award that honours unusual or humorous scientific achievements – for his observations of hamsters on Viagra to composing an opera about Charles Darwin, Diego’s career is a testament to his belief that science is not just about solving puzzles, it’s about sharing the wonder of discovery.
The rhythm of discovery
Golombek’s fascination with time began during his undergraduate studies in Argentina. “I was always interested in the topic of time, artistically or philosophically,” he recalls. “It just blew my mind to think about time.”
His curiosity deepened when he discovered that the body itself possesses its own internal timekeepers. “There is not only time outside ‘there’, which is what physicists and other people think about, but also inside,” he says.
These were the early days of modern chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms and how they are influenced by time and external cycles, like day and night. Diego’s first project involved manually measuring opossums’ rectal temperatures – a task he remembers with both amusement and appreciation. “It wasn’t the best job you could think about, but I was happy,” he says with a laugh.
Science should not only advance knowledge but also inspire and connect with people
Over time, Golombek realised that science should not only advance knowledge but also inspire and connect with people. This drove him to explore creative outlets that could bring scientific ideas to life.
Among his most ambitious projects is a collaboration that ventures far from the lab and into the realm of theatre: an opera titled Darwin en Patagonia. Co-created with Mariano A. Fernandez, an award-winning composer, Associate Research Scholar in Latin American Studies, and Artist-in-Residence at Yale, the hour-long Spanish-language performance will premiere in December at the Opera Theatre of Yale College, at Yale University, in Connecticut.
The piece follows Charles Darwin and the crew of the H.M.S. Beagle on their five-year journey around the globe, focusing on Darwin’s encounters with the people and landscapes of Patagonia. “He was watching the world and being completely astonished,” Diego says.
The opera also tells the story of the Yámana people, an Indigenous group from Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago off the southernmost tip of the South America, and imagines would their interactions would have been like with Darwin.
Golombek hopes that by blending historical narratives with music and theatre, he will reach audiences who might not otherwise engage with scientific ideas. “It is a very potent story to be told, and using theatre and music is probably one of the best ways of doing it,” Diego says. “I hope it works that way.”
Breaking boundaries
Blending science and creativity has not always been easy for Golombek, who admits that stepping outside the norm in academia can be risky. “If you are too creative in science, you are kind of punished,” he says.
As a mentor, Golombek encourages his students to find a balance. He advises them, “There has to be a part of your project that will work no matter what, but save some space for the really creative stuff. If it works, it’s wonderful. If it doesn’t work, OK – you still have your thesis.”
Don’t fear being ridiculous – part of science communication needs to be ridiculous.
If that creativity involves humour, all the better. Winning the Ig Nobel Prize in 2007 for his research on Viagra’s effects on jet-lagged hamsters was a career highlight, says Golombek – not because of the accolade itself, but because of what the prize represents.
“We need to stop taking things so seriously and laugh about the things we do,” he says. The experiment, which demonstrated that hamsters dosed with Viagra adjusted to jet lag faster, garnered international attention. Golombek recalls the joy of receiving the award at Harvard University, where Nobel laureates joined Ig Nobel winners to celebrate the lighter side of science.
Looking ahead, Golombek remains committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists. He continues to encourage young researchers to embrace creativity and take risks, even in fields that typically reward convention. “Don’t fear being ridiculous,” he says. “Part of science communication needs to be ridiculous.”
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Story by Sam Illingworth