Our interviewee is Aqshin Tagiyev, a molecular biologist, medical geneticist, and researcher. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the College of Medicine, Wake Forest University. Born in Azerbaijan, Aqşin received his higher education in Russia and now resides in the United States, where he also works as a Cytogenetics Lab Director.

Questions prepared by Rovshan Pashazadeh.

 A.T: While leading Western countries focus on advancing science and progress, why did you, as a researcher, choose to move specifically to the United States?

A.T.: Back in 1998, I realized that if I stayed in Russia, I would never achieve my goals as a person and as a scientist. We couldn’t secure enough funding for research, and I didn’t earn enough to build a stable life there. So, I began looking for jobs in Europe and the United States. The U.S. offered far more opportunities for scientific research than Europe—its total research and development expenditure over the past couple of decades was nearly twice that of the 27 European countries combined. I focused on finding a postdoctoral research position at universities, and after sending multiple applications with the help of friends, I secured a position at the University of Iowa in Michael Cohen’s lab. My mentor, Oskar Rokhlin, had also worked at the Moscow Oncology Center before moving to the U.S. in the early 1990s.

A.T: You have been living and working in the U.S. for over twenty years. Have you ever experienced a difficult moment when you regretted leaving your homeland?

A.T.: I began my candidate dissertation in 1988 at the Hematological Scientific Center of the Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow. The topic was “Beta-thalassemia mutation spectra and haplotypes in the Azerbaijan Republic.” After completing my dissertation in 1992, I visited the Azerbaijani Hematology and Transfusiology Research Institute—now the National Hematology and Transfusiology Center—where I was expected to return after finishing my work. I spoke with the director of the institute, but those were extremely difficult times for Azerbaijan. The country was at war with Armenia, and about 20% of our territory was under occupation. There were mounting social problems due to nearly one million people displaced from occupied regions, combined with the weak economy of the newly independent Azerbaijani Republic after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

There were no real opportunities for research or genetic diagnostics in Azerbaijan, so I decided to stay and work in Moscow. I had worked at the Hematology and Transfusiology Research Institute in Azerbaijan for only two years after graduating from medical school in Moscow, but I still visit them whenever I return to Azerbaijan. I believe I am the only one who left a copy of my dissertation at the institute so they could use the results.

Moving to the United States later was a continuation of living abroad. When you live outside your homeland, you must adapt to the local culture, and there are difficult moments—you sometimes regret leaving. But the longer you live abroad, the harder it becomes to find a place back home where you wouldn’t feel you gave up opportunities by returning. For now, I tell myself that when I retire, I will go back.

A.T: Despite growing up in a family of mathematicians in Baku, what inspired you to pursue a career in the medical field?

A.T.: Yes, my dad was one of the first programmers in Azerbaijan in the late 1950s. Both my parents worked at the Institute of Cybernetics in the early 1960s. My two brothers, my nephew, and my son are also programmers. I graduated from the Second Moscow Medical Institute named after Pirogov as a physician-biophysicist.

When I started my career in Azerbaijan, there were two options in the field of beta-thalassemia: either research related to the beta-globin protein or DNA research focused on beta-globin gene mutations. I chose DNA research because DNA itself is a code. Each nucleated cell contains about 6.4 billion nucleotides. In computer terms, these nucleotides store information across 46 “hard drives,” which we call chromosomes. Together, they encode about 20,000 proteins and 20,000–25,000 RNA molecules.

Early in my career, I searched for mutations in the beta-globin gene sequence, which codes for the beta-globin protein. Later, when I began research on apoptosis—also known as programmed cell death—we manipulated this program to achieve desired protein expression.

Currently, I am at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in the Pathology Department and serve as Cytogenetics Lab Director at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. So, in a way, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.It would not be wrong to say that medical genetics is one of the most complex areas of the healthcare system. 

A.T: Today, climate change and environmental pollution around the world have a direct negative impact on human health. As a scientific researcher, what are your thoughts on this?

A.T.: When we talk about medical genetics, it sounds like something to belongs to a lab—but it’s actually about us, and how our bodies respond to the world around us. And right now, that world is changing fast. Climate change and pollution aren’t just environmental issues—they’re health issues. Hotter days put extra strain on our hearts, dirty air makes breathing harder, and shifting weather patterns bring new diseases to places they’ve never been before. Not everyone reacts the same way to the changes. Our genes play a big role in how vulnerable we are. Two people can face the same smoggy air, and one ends up with asthma while the other doesn’t. Why? Genetic makeup. The environment can also influence how our genes behave. Stress from heat, toxins, or poor nutrition can flip genetic “switches” on or off—a process called epigenetics. And those changes can sometimes influence the next generation. So what does this mean for us? Climate change is making existing health risks worse, and our genetic makeup can amplify that. The future of healthcare isn’t just about treating disease—it’s about understanding how our genes and environment interact, so we can prevent problems before they start.

A.T: In your view, how significant is the role of the genetic code in human longevity?

A.T.: Genetics plays an important role in how long we live, but it’s not the whole story. Research shows that our genes account for about 20–30% of lifespan, while the rest depends on lifestyle and environment. Certain genetic factors influence how well our bodies handle stress, repair DNA, and maintain healthy cells. For example:

Key genes like FOXO3 and APOE are linked to better heart health and lower risk of age-related diseases. Telomere length, partly determined by genetics, affects how quickly our cells age. Pathways controlling metabolism, immune function, and DNA repair are strongly tied to longevity. However, genes set the potential, not the guarantee. Epigenetics—how lifestyle and environment switch genes on or off—can dramatically change outcomes. Healthy habits like balanced nutrition, exercise, and stress management often matter more than the genetic blueprint. Genetics gives us a starting point, but choices and environment largely shape how long and how well we live.

A.T: Many scholars reference your articles published in high-ranking international journals in their own research. What feelings does this evoke in you?

A.T.: When my work is cited, I see it as a strong indicator of impact and relevance. It means the research is contributing to the global conversation and helping others build on those findings. For me, it’s less about personal recognition and more about advancing knowledge and fostering collaboration. Citations show that the work is trusted and useful, which is ultimately the goal of any researcher. 

A.T: In the United States, who bears the greater responsibility for the development of science—scientists or the government?

A.T.: The U.S. government leads major scientific progress through providing funding, setting up policy, and by providing infrastructure. US government using agencies like NIH, NSF, and DoD invest money in research, set national priorities, and ensure long-term competitiveness. Government-backed programs have enabled breakthroughs that private efforts alone could not achieve. Scientists are responsible for innovation, integrity, and advancing knowledge. They design experiments, interpret data, and push boundaries. Many scientists advise government agencies about policies. Taken together, the government carries greater structural responsibility by providing funding, regulations, and strategy, that makes science possible. Scientists fulfill the intellectual and ethical duty to use those resources effectively and expand knowledge for society.

A.T: Despite your demanding schedule in the scientific field, you have repeatedly sent written appeals to U.S. presidents in support of Azerbaijan’s just cause. Please tell our readers more about this.

A.T.: I was taught from childhood that if we want an independent Azerbaijan, we must all be active and contribute to the cause. When I was in Moscow, I joined others in establishing an Azerbaijani diaspora organization, successfully involving many people and organizing various events. After arriving in the United States, I wanted to help communicate the truth about the war and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Whenever I had the opportunity, I participated in informational campaigns organized by Azerbaijani organizations. I sent letters not only to U.S. presidents but also to senators, congressmen, the Iowa governor, the Iowa House of Representatives, and newspapers. In the late 2000s, I received a certificate of recognition from the Iowa House of Representatives for raising awareness about the genocide of Azerbaijanis in 1918. I also managed to publish some of my letters in newspapers. In 2023, I received another certificate of recognition from the Iowa House of Representatives on my birthday.