What is your most important contribution as a researcher?

I believe I contributed to answer some questions about microplastic pollution in drinking water and air.

What are you most passionate about in your work?

Solving problems, which is a never ending source of entertainment.

What is your typical workday like?

I have been hired at Radiometer Medical ApS in Copenhagen as a Chemical Engineer while finalising my PhD thesis. This company is one of the biggest producers of sensors for blood gas analysis, which are typically used in the health care sector.

My main task is to develop a new line of in-process controls starting from the raw materials to the final product, and, in order to do this, I work with two distinct teams producing different components of the sensors.

Since I have just started, I am still in the process of learning the basics, so my typical working day is mostly made of study and watching what my colleagues do in the lab.

What has your career path looked like up until now?

I did both my Bachelor and Master Degrees in Chemistry in my homeland, Italy.

Then, after a brief working experience in the drinking water public sector, I move to Aalborg in 2020 for my PhD in Civil Engineering.
Generally, I have felt quite free to catch new opportunities, constantly challenging myself to learn new things.

How does your current career match the dreams and ideas you had as a PhD fellow at AAU??

I didn't feel that I had to follow a precise path after my PhD, because I primarily regarded it as a job. Hence I didn't force myself to exclusively look for academic positions, but I rather applied a practical approach. I lived the last three years task by task trying to be prepared should things change unexpectedly.

How have you made use of your PhD education, and which of your PhD competences have been most important to you?

I think that the most important thing one can obtain from a PhD is the willingness to accept challenges and face them in a logical way.
Secondly, understanding the importance of networking with colleagues and collaborators. More concretely, the new knowledge in terms of analytical chemistry and engineering I gained from the PhD has proven very useful in this next step of my professional life. Hence, in this sense, I feel that doing a PhD was important to better face the requests associated with my actual job.

What do you remember most from your PhD studies?

"Let's try to do this, see what happens..."

What made the strongest impression on you during your PhD defense?

The true willingness of the Committee to discuss my results. You really get the feeling that what you did is important.

Why did you decide to do a PhD, and would you have chosen differently if you were to do it today?

Pure curiosity. I wondered if I could do research like the scientists on whose books I studied at the university. I would do that again.

What advise would you give to current PhD fellows at AAU that want a career outside academia?

Learning to write a paper or public speaking are only the smallest parts of your PhD journey. Companies are highly interested in PhD graduates because they can often bring a fresh perspective and have contacts with other professionals. Remember that first and foremost you don't belong either to academia or industry, but to yourself: what do you want to do?

What sort of impact has your PhD had on your career and what are your future expectations ?

During my PhD I met so many people in academia and industry, who gave me much advice and new insights on what they were doing.
Therefore, I know whom to ask for help should I need an expert opinion on a specific subject. Also, I believe that having a PhD testifies one's ability to face challenges and do multitasking.

Regarding the future, I just hope that I will be doing a job challenging enough to question my competence.

Luca Maurizi on LinkedIn