Alissa Christina Matus: My Next Great Impossible
Alissa Christina Matus is a PhD candidate at the University of California, Irvine. She spoke with us about the importance of her research in reducing global climate emissions and the value of mentorship as a scholar.
My Next Great Impossible aims to use electrochemistry to repurpose carbon dioxide for fuel. With my research I hope to impact climate change by focusing on the transformation of greenhouse gases into fuels and educating others on the importance of reducing global climate emissions.
“I see climate change as the most urgent crisis …”
We aim to efficiently generate high-value products from CO₂ using transition metal catalysts, amines and electrochemistry to then utilize as fuel. This approach will improve upon existing methods of CO2 conversion that require high input of heat and energy. I see climate change as the most urgent crisis facing humanity, and it can be a challenge to feel like your contribution is making a difference.
“Every day my mother and father inspire me.”
Every day my mother and father inspire me. My mother, who returned to school while raising me, and my father, who was unable to attend college, inspired me to pursue higher education and take advantage of every opportunity. My PhD also taught me important lessons, the most important of which was mentorship; true mentors will accept you as you are and adapt to help you grow. The more encouraging mentors you can find, the better off you'll be in the long run. The second lesson is that striving for perfection is the enemy of progress. Progress in small steps can be messy, but it is still growing. I've been afraid of growth because it's not perfect, but nothing and no one is!
FAQ
Q: What kind of mindset do you need to achieve your Next Great Impossible?
A: A focused mindset.
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