The Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion is thrilled to announce that Anna Scott, Postdoc at the department Inorganic Spectroscopy at MPI CEC, has been awarded the highly prestigious Humboldt Fellowship for two years, a testament to her dedication and excellence in the field of chemistry. This fellowship is a significant milestone in her academic and research career, providing her with the opportunity to delve deeper into her specialty.
The Humboldt Fellowship, offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, supports postdoctoral researchers and experienced scientists worldwide. It promotes international scientific cooperation by allowing researchers to conduct long-term projects with German academic institutions, recognizing their outstanding potential and providing the resources to pursue innovative research.
Anna's Journey and Research Focus
Anna shared her excitement upon receiving the fellowship, saying, "When I heard about receiving the fellowship, I was excited that I would be able to pursue my proposed research and to continue learning about X-ray spectroscopy and heterogeneous catalysis."
Anna's research proposal, which earned her the Humboldt Fellowship, revolves around using X-ray spectroscopy to understand and improve heterogeneous catalyst systems. This area of study is critical for advancements in sustainability and renewable energy, fields that Anna is passionate about and hopes to make significant contributions to throughout her career.
"I applied for the fellowship so that I could learn about using X-ray spectroscopy to understand and improve heterogeneous catalyst systems, an area of research I hope to pursue in my future career," Anna explained. Her current research is focused on understanding how incorporating secondary metals into Pd (palladium) nanoparticles can enhance H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) synthesis. By utilizing X-ray spectroscopy, she aims to determine how these secondary metals modify the Pd active sites, thereby altering the catalytic activity.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Anna's aspirations are to lead a research group dedicated to sustainability and renewable energy advancements. Improving the efficiency of heterogeneous catalysts is a central theme in her research vision.