When she’s not researching computational biophysics, viral infections or cancer, TCU physics professor and department chair Hana Dobrovolny can be found skating on the ice. For Dobrovolny, skating is more than just a pastime; it’s a lifelong passion that brings balance to her rigorous academic career. 

Synchronized skating, a sport performed by teams executing intricate formations and technical skills on the ice, has grown into a globally recognized discipline. For Dobrovolny, it’s been a journey that began in childhood and continues to inspire her both on and off the rink. She shares a little about her skating journey below. 

How did you get into figure skating, and what drew you to the sport? 

I grew up in Canada, so everybody skated, either hockey or figure skating. I lived in a small town on the prairies and skating was one of the few after-school activities available there, so most kids went straight from school to the skating rink at least a couple of days every week.  

What is your favorite memory from your skating journey? 

I was on a synchronized skating team (Mississauga Ice Precise) while I was a postdoc in Canada. In 2010, we won the Canadian National Championship (Adult III level), which was held in Ottawa (the Canadian capital). After the medal ceremony at the rink, we went in our skates to take pictures of Parliament Hill. 

I also made my daughter skate when she was young and luckily, she also enjoys it. We've skated a number of programs together over the years. 

Do you still compete or perform, or is skating more of a personal passion now? 

I still compete on occasion. An adult synchronized skating team started (or re-started after a hiatus) last year, so I joined that, and we skated in a couple of competitions last year. We just started practices again this year and have plans to compete in two or three competitions this season. 

 What personal qualities do you think skating has helped you develop? 

Synchronized skating has definitely helped develop teamwork skills --- one wrong step and you can take down 15 other people. Skating has also taught me perseverance since some things just take a while to learn and perfect. These days, it's mostly a mental break for me, a chance to do something completely different from my day-to-day job. 

 “I've always enjoyed the patterns and intricacy of footwork and figures --- there is always something more that I can learn how to do, and I enjoy the challenge.”