Alejandra Pires recently joined the communications team at Beckman as a communications specialist. Prior to that she worked as the coordinator for research programs for the Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics, also at Beckman.

What do you like about working at the Beckman Institute?

The Beckman Institute is a very mysterious place, full of secrets. It’s been thrilling to discover these secrets the longer I work here.

On a more personal level, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really interesting people. In my first job here at Beckman, I worked with engineers. It was fascinating to observe how they think, especially since my thought process is so different. Seeing the value in the way others view the world so differently is personally fulfilling.

Outside of your professional experience, what are you an expert in?

For several years — too many, honestly! — I pursued a Ph.D. in Slavic languages and literature. I decided not to finish the degree, but now I know a lot about literature and cinema from the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. It’s weird that this used to be a huge part of my life, and nowadays it doesn’t really factor into what I do on a day-to-day basis. I don’t miss being an academic, but I do miss talking about tractor musicals sometimes.

What do you like to do for fun?

I’m really into baking, especially cakes and pies. Recently I’ve been making layer cakes with interesting flavor combinations, but pies are my first love. I used to call myself a voracious reader, but then reading became my job when I was in grad school. I’m trying to really get back into it. My favorite author is Olga Tokarczuk, but I’ve been reading fantasy and science fiction since I was a kid. Another fun thing I do is read tarot cards, for myself and others. I’ve been doing that for almost 10 years! Tarot provides a framework to help me think through the chaos in my mind.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

My life changed when I stepped into Mid-Summer Lounge for the first time. What’s more comforting than a bowl of hearty noodle soup? Add a helping of dumplings on the side, and you have a meal powerful enough to turn a bad day into a good day.