¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº

Q&A with Professor Mauro Pasta

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

I am not entirely sure, but it might trace back to the MacGyver TV series. In one episode, MacGyver saves his friend Pete, who has been poisoned with prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide), identified by its almond-like smell. He improvises an antidote using sodium thiosulfate, which he extracts from a photo shop’s developing machine. That scene stuck with me. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I found myself working on the electrochemistry of Prussian Blue analogues — so I suppose it had more of an influence than I realised at the time.

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career

It is difficult to name a single person. Many people have supported and inspired me along the way — from teachers to colleagues and collaborators — and I have learned something valuable from each of them.

What motivates you?

Solving problems.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Find a few chemists and ask if you can spend some time with them in their labs. When I entered a lab for the first time, I knew instantly that I belonged there.

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

One area I find particularly exciting is the rapid development of solid-state batteries. The field is evolving quickly, and the potential impact on energy storage, safety, and sustainability is enormous.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

Spending time at Stanford in Prof. Yi Cui’s group as a graduate student was a real turning point in my career. I was surrounded by exceptionally talented and driven people in a unique environment full of energy, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It was there that I connected with some of the most brilliant individuals I know — many of whom are now reshaping both academia and the start-up world.

When I arrived at Stanford as a visiting student, I was hosted by Prof. Bob Huggins, one of the pioneers of solid-state electrochemistry. I had the rare privilege of hearing countless stories about his father’s work on polymers – including the famous Flory–Huggins theory – and encounters with figures like Linus Pauling, complete with tales of Pauling’s obsession with vitamin C. I even heard first-hand reflections on the Fleischmann and Pons cold fusion saga.

These conversations and experiences left a lasting impression on me, and it was during that time that I began to seriously contemplate an academic career. It was also at Stanford that I was first introduced to the world of batteries. I later returned as a postdoctoral researcher to work on the electrochemistry of Prussian Blue analogues for grid-scale energy storage applications — a direction that has since shaped much of my current research.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

I had little guidance early in life. As the first in my family to complete secondary school and attend university, I was fairly naive at the start. It has been an uphill journey to get to this point and a lot had to go right to bring me where I am today. 

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

As an experimentalist, good research culture means attention to detail, a rigorous approach to data, and ensuring statistical relevance in results. It also means fostering an environment that supports openness, collaboration, and continuous learning.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

The chemical sciences are at the heart of some of the most profound transformations shaping our world for the better. From developing sustainable energy solutions and tackling climate change to enabling cleaner manufacturing and advancing global health, chemistry offers the tools to understand, design, and improve the materials and systems we rely on every day.

Whether it is through the creation of next-generation batteries, safer pharmaceuticals, or more efficient catalysts, chemical research empowers innovation that directly addresses the world’s most pressing challenges. It is a privilege to contribute to a field with such tangible impact across society, industry, and the environment.

Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?

The most relevant and exciting science today is inherently multidisciplinary. Complex challenges – whether in energy, health, or sustainability – require a breadth of expertise and perspectives. In my own group, we bring together researchers with backgrounds in chemistry, materials science, engineering, and physics, from all over the world. This diversity of thought and experience is essential to producing rigorous, innovative research that can have real-world impact. Collaboration and teamwork do not just enhance the quality of our science – they are fundamental to how we make progress.

How can scientists try to improve the environmental sustainability of research? Can you give us any examples from your own experience or context?

I think sustainability in research begins with awareness – of the materials we use, the energy our processes consume, and the broader impact of our experimental design. One specific example comes from our work on battery materials: we try to design experiments with scalability in mind. That means avoiding rare or exotic precursors that would not be viable in real-world applications and opting for processing methods with lower energy demands.

There is also a cultural shift needed. For example, we can all travel a bit less – or more selectively – for conferences, and advocate for greener infrastructure in research buildings. None of these changes are radical on their own, but together they help make the way we do science more aligned with the values we are trying to promote.

What is your favourite element?  

Probably gold. I did my PhD on the electrocatalytic properties of gold, and I continue to make use of its unique characteristics in my current research. Gold perfectly captures the elegance and complexity of chemistry.

On the surface, it is renowned for its beauty and stability, but at the atomic level, it is a fascinating element — its unique relativistic effects give rise to both its distinctive colour and exceptional chemical behaviour. In research, gold surfaces and nanoparticles exhibit remarkable properties that make them valuable in catalysis, electronics, and even medicine. It is a reminder that even the most familiar elements can still hold surprises and that chemistry is full of depth, nuance, and wonder.