Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit

Aldo Salazar was sweating bullets while running his usual five-mile route from his place around Orange Street downtown to East Rock Park and back, before heading to a lab where he’s working on a different kind of circuit.

“It’s a beautiful morning to go outside and work out,” Salazar said as he paused for a conversation on the ​“Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s ​“LoveBabz LoveTalk” program. 

Since high school, Salazar has attempted to wake up every day at 6 a.m. to incorporate running into his morning routine. On Thursday, he slept in until 7:30 a.m., but still made time to run.

The 28-year-old is a Yale graduate student studying biophysics. During the conversation, he shared his well wishes for the graduates who received their diploma on Monday. 

“It was really nice to see everyone in their gowns,” Salazar said. ​“Some of the undergraduates were there that I’ve mentored throughout my years at Yale. I’m really proud of them for achieving their dreams.”

For the rest of the day, Salazar planned on taking a shower and changing after his run before going to his job at Yale’s nano-research Malvankar Lab. Salazar usually works from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. before returning home to cook dinner.

“We’re studying this bacteria in the lab called gebacter that produces electrons when it’s breeding,” Salazar said. ​“It’s interesting because that actually generates electricity, so we’re trying to figure out how we can enhance those properties to make fuel cells or to replace them in circuits.”

Salazar has known for years that he wanted to study science. 

“I knew I wanted to get into science around high school,” Salazar said. ​“Biology was one of my favorite subjects. I think I’m pretty good at it. I love the research aspect of science.”

When not working or running, Salazar prefers to mostly stay at home with friends rather than to go out. His hobbies include playing video games and the guitar, and completing puzzles.

Most of Salazar’s family lives in Mexico. His mother and father live in Puerto Rico. His sister lives in Iowa. 

“I go to visit my family during the holidays,” Salazar said. ​“It kind of depends where my parents are. I usually go at least once a year.”

Before becoming a graduate student at Yale, Salazar attended the University of Puerto Rico. He has been living in New Haven for the last five years and enjoys the city’s many food options.

“My favorite place to eat is probably New Haven’s Taste of China,” Salazar said. ​“My favorite pizza here is probably Da Legna at Nolo [on State Street]. I also like being able to run in the area during the morning. I have a car, but I like how you can get everywhere on foot.”

If Salazar has the option to stay in New Haven after his studies, he said, he will probably consider it. He hasn’t decided a career as of yet, but has a few ideas.

“I’m looking into several biotech companies. I want to still do some research when I graduate,” Salazar said. ​“I wanted to be a professor, but I’ve changed my mind throughout the years.