Mahbod Dolati

Once upon a time, a cheerful little boy named Mahbod deeply loved robots and music. Being the first child in a supportive family, he was surrounded by encouragement and support. His parents, always striving to provide the best for him, worked extra hours to enrol him in robotics and music classes when they noticed his enthusiasm. Mahbod’s grandparents were equally supportive, cheering him on at every turn.

From a young age, Mahbod was naturally curious, which led to him speaking early. His mind buzzed with questions, and he couldn’t wait to voice them all. At just five years old, while playing with his toy airplane during a family gathering, a pilot relative asked him if he wanted to become a pilot when he grew up. Mahbod answered: “No.”

His response surprised the attendees and asked him “Why?”. In his childful perspective, Mahbod shared his dreams. “I don’t want to be a pilot. I want to be a builder of airplanes or even things that can fly higher than airplanes! Maybe there is a place high up in the sky for people who need special phones when they travel there. I would like to create those special phones and airplanes, so they don’t have to worry about living on Earth during their journey.”

His imagination painted a vivid picture of adventures and inventions, showcasing a spirit eager to innovate and explore.

At the age of twelve, he developed playing the piano, loved science fiction, was practicing taekwondo, and simultaneously acquired skills in designing, programming, and constructing warrior and pathfinder robots. In 2019, he won the championship as a member of a four-person team of the Iranian student robotics competition. Following this achievement, he was selected to compete in the Asian robotics competition in Malaysia. He successfully secured third place in Asia by leveraging a creative idea and working as part of a three-member group. This experience filled him with boundless happiness and fostered a positive outlook for his future endeavours… but nothing is enduring, and all aspects are subject to change.

I am Mahbod, and just when I wanted to know myself and put my learnings and abilities into practice in the fields of science, music, sports, and creativity, I suddenly faced two major obstacles: the global coronavirus pandemic, which was reminiscent of Albert Camus’ novel The Plague (something I would never have imagined in the digital age), and secondly; the immune system deficiency caused by stress: “Vitiligo”; [A skin disorder caused by a defect in the immune system].

I experienced the first big shock of my life: coming to terms with the constant uninvited guest in the mirror, a guest whose presence in my life became more colourful every day. So, I became isolated and withdrew from my friends at school, robotics classes, English courses, sports, and even music.

It took me a while to return to my previous life with the support of my doctor, my loving family, and awareness of this uninvited guest. I realized that many people in the world are facing vitiligo or other diseases, but this does not prevent them from using their abilities and being present in society.

During my childhood, my grandmother overcame cancer [a brain tumour] with the help of doctors and the support of our loving family. Her journey required both awareness of her difficult illness and recognition of her inner strength. Against Vitiligo, she taught me to recognize my strengths, learn about my challenges, love myself as I am, and face obstacles with resilience, understanding, and effort.

I made a conscious effort to reintegrate into society, focusing on my goals rather than being affected by others’ perceptions. Through dedication and hard work, I achieved significant success in robotics competitions, which led to my early acceptance at a young age as a member of the technical committee for the country’s student robotics competitions. Due to my creative mindset, hardworking spirit and responsibility, this opportunity was made possible for me.

This experience motivated me and brought joy to my family. My transition back to a balanced lifestyle has involved some important adjustments. Due to increased stress levels and changes in my routine, I made the decision to discontinue my participation in Taekwondo after achieving my 2nd Dan belt. Upon the recommendation of my physician, I opted to take up swimming as a complementary activity, recognizing that the water offers significant benefits for relaxation and recovery.

In this new endeavor, I have not only focused on mastering the four primary swimming strokes but have also I want to advance to training as a lifeguard. This experience has been both fulfilling and instrumental in promoting my well-being. However, life’s colour changed again when I faced the recurrence of my beloved grandmother’s cancer. Despite her relentless fighting spirit, her body ultimately succumbed, leaving us with only memories.

As time passed, I began to regain my strength. To cope with this deep sorrow, I immersed myself in educational activities. I needed to program the robots I had designed, so I completed the courses I had started during the Corona pandemic. Because I received excellent grades, the institute offered me a special discount for enrolling in new courses. As the youngest member of the institute, I was able to complete Python courses (both basic and advanced), English for Networking and Programming, and Data Analytics Science (levels 1, 2, and 3).

My grandmother embodied a love for life and people. She faced challenges with determination and made every effort to have a positive impact on the world around her. I believe that the world around me extends beyond the limits of physical perception, and I aspire to see the impact of my efforts and ideas reach far beyond our beloved planet.

My family’s financial situation makes the dream of studying at the world’s top universities seem unlikely. Nevertheless, I have worked hard to become the hero of my life by acquiring valuable skills and persevering despite the challenges I face. Being part of a free society and benefiting from the vast knowledge and experience of great professors is incredibly important and valuable to me. After discussing with my parents, I decided to spend my twelfth year of school under the guidance of my mother, who is a mathematics teacher. This arrangement allows me to dedicate sufficient time to prepare for the SAT and IELTS exams. The school authorities, recognizing my strong work ethic and determination to achieve my goals, permitted me to attend school solely during the exam periods. Throughout this academic year, I have been focused on gaining acceptance and paving the way for a bright future.

With a strong interest in digital communications, robotics, computers, and artificial intelligence, I dream of attending prestigious universities. Despite the many obstacles in my path, I hold onto hope for a future where we can all live in peace and harmony within the global community, free from barriers that hinder our access to research and communication. I seek the opportunity to become an active and contributing member of the scientific community. My objective is to fulfill both my childhood aspirations and my current goals while serving as a host and inspiration for future generations.

I have a deep admiration for the lives of migratory birds. They travel the globe with remarkable freedom, unbound by borders, and their existence beautifully harmonizes with the entire planet. These birds play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, contributing to life on Earth through essential processes like seed dispersal, pollination, and pest control, among other ecological functions.I aspire to be a valuable and harmonious member of a collaborative team, utilizing my strong capacity for learning, scientific inquiry, and knowledge generation. I am committed to research, responsible teamwork, and demonstrating flexibility in the face of challenges. Moreover, I approach my work with diligence and determination on the path to success, and I value your guidance and companionship as I navigate this path.