Episode 14: Antti Pulkkinen - The art of explosive learning and blazing new trails in science

In his role studying the physics of the Earth’s space environment at NASA, Antti embraces lifelong curiosity and learning, including a sensibility of beginner’s mindset that brings periods of explosive learning . We discuss the origins that led to this thinking, emerging broader truths that cut across life along the way.

Antti Pulkkinen has been a leading innovator at NASA for well over a decade, beginning as a postdoctoral researcher at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in 2004, just after coming to the US from Helsinki, Finland and his graduate work in space physics there, and culminating most recently in his new appointment as the Deputy Director of the Heliophysics Science Division last year. 

En route to becoming one of the preeminent experts on the weather in outer space and, more generally, space physics at NASA, Antti has received a patent for a new technique to turn the US power grid into a nation-wide scientific monitor and been selected to demonstrate small satellite technologies to improve science observations in deep space, one of the first mission proposals of its kind. 

These are but two of the most recent examples that reveal Antti’s penchant for blazing new trails of thinking and leading innovation. We discuss these and the dizzying array of other accolades and visions that he has accumulated across his fascinating trajectory.

It was a distinct pleasure to have him on Origins and I’m excited to share his origins and route to such a novel and impactful life with each of you. Enjoy!