Monday, June 19, 2017
Zinovij Samijlovych made huge impact on me when I was entering my professional life in the Institute of Semiconductors (Kiev, Ukraine). I remember my first scientific presentation at Theoretical Physics Department seminar. Zinovij Samoylovich scorched me with many tricky questions about my first research project, I barely stood my ground. In the end he told Yuri did good, and this gave me enormous credit for my future status in the Department. Professor Gribnikov was one of the sharpest minds I've met in my Physics carrier, never to compromise, always give you the maximum challenge. I believe his push and take-no-prisoners approach made me who I am and helped me advance from very humble beginning in the U.S. to a challenging carrier in the Silicon Valley. And this is only one side of his impact on me. Zinovij Samijlovych was a sworn enemy of dishonesty, bigotry, and low-life scum. From my senior colleages at the Insititute I've learned that he was one of the very few who stood up against political trials against Ukrainian nationalists in late 60-s. In best traditions of his Jewish roots, he could not compromise with injustice. Very few people around us have such an impact on what they touch. I am lucky to be influenced by him in my twenties. I will remember him and what he has done for me and people around him. Вічна пам'ять
