Scientists may choose to work on unusual projects with high risk of failure also when the grant system does not fund them.
The result was an unusual project for network news.
"Maybe it wasn't the most auspicious day to start work on an unusual new project," he recalled.
This, he said, means cash to get unusual projects off the ground is simply not forthcoming in his experience.
Private one-on-one sessions are also valuable to people working on unusual projects and those who need to expand quickly into new areas.
He has also been involved in some unusual projects.
There are several factors behind the success of this unusual project.
Scientists in southern Russia have started work on an unusual project to clone one of the country's most famous trees.
At 47, he is accustomed to unusual projects on a grand scale.
Making a success of the unusual project will be, most agree, a challenge.
