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Biography

Professor Marinella Mazzanti MRSC was born into a family of olive farmers in Vinci, Italy, a small town in Tuscany and home to Leonardo da Vinci. She obtained a Master's degree from the University of Pisa in 1985 after spending a year in Columbia University (NY). She obtained a PhD from the University of Lausanne in 1990 (supervisor Professor Carlo Floriani). Shortly after she moved to the University of California, Berkeley, and then to the University of California, Davis, where she worked with Professor Alan Balch. In 1994 she was awarded a two-year Marie Curie Fellowship to join the French National Laboratory, CEA, in Grenoble. In 1996, she was hired as a research scientist and team leader at the CEA Grenoble where she started her independent research centred on f elements. In September 2014 she joined the EPFL and became the head of the Group of Coordination ÉîÒ¹¸£Àû¹ú²ú¾«Æ·. She continues to develop the chemistry of f- and d-block metals with particular focus on redox reactivity, supramolecular chemistry and small molecule activation. 

She is co-author of more than 200 scientific papers in refereed international journals and she recently received the F. Albert Cotton Award in Synthetic Inorganic ÉîÒ¹¸£Àû¹ú²ú¾«Æ· and the Le Coq de Boisbaudran Senior award. She is an associate editor of Chemical Communications, where she published her very first paper.

I strongly believe that targeting fundamental scientific problems requires the same creative instinct as art, blurring the lines between the chemist and the artist.

Marinella Mazzanti

Q&A

Can you tell us more about your work?

At its heart, our research explores the 'hidden' potential of the periodic table’s heaviest elements – the lanthanides and actinides (the f-elements). By placing these metals in unusual oxidation states – essentially pushing them into rare and highly reactive chemical forms – and organising them into multimetallic systems, we have unlocked new ways to manipulate the molecules around us. The discovery of new oxidation states is extremely rare in modern chemistry but is likely to lead to new physical properties and new reactivity.

Specifically, we have developed ways to capture and activate nitrogen. While nitrogen makes up 78% of our atmosphere, it is notoriously lazy and difficult to break apart. Traditionally, converting nitrogen into useful forms like fertilisers or chemical feedstocks requires immense energy and high-pressure industrial processes. Our work demonstrates that by using specially designed metal complexes, we can weaken these stubborn bonds at a molecular level.

The wider implications of this research extend far beyond the laboratory. By finding more efficient ways to activate stable molecules like nitrogen, we are laying the groundwork for more sustainable industrial chemistry. This could eventually lead to greener methods for producing essential agricultural fertilisers or new materials, reducing the global energy footprint.

Who or what first sparked your interest in chemistry, and how has that interest evolved over time? 

Growing up on a farm, I witnessed firsthand how chemistry empowered my father to manage crops safely and effectively. That practical foundation, combined with a childhood fascination with materials like copper sulfate, sparked my curiosity. Later, the thrill of balancing reactions in high school and the infectious passion of my university inorganic chemistry professor turned that curiosity into a lifelong professional passion.

Thinking back to earlier in your career, are there any words of wisdom that you wish someone had told you? 

Thinking back, the most crucial piece of advice I wish I had received is this: your environment dictates your potential.

Be selective: choose workplaces, colleagues, and collaborators (students/post-docs) who share your vision of how science should be done.

Adapt and grow: build a network that fosters growth, encourages critical thinking, and supports your career goals.

Recognise misalignment and act: if your environment is hindering your growth or no longer aligns with your goals, do not be afraid to leave. Staying will limit your potential and your scientific fulfilment. 

"Find your people, and you will find your success."

In what ways does creativity influence how you think about or carry out your work? 

Rather than adhering to rigid, sequential plans, I treat chemical research as an art form driven by discovery and intuition. I follow the 'inspiration' of new molecules, allowing them to dictate the direction of my work. I strongly believe that targeting fundamental scientific problems requires the same creative instinct as art, blurring the lines between the chemist and the artist.

What is your favourite element and why? 

While I admire the versatility of all d- and f-block metals, my favourite has to be uranium.

It is often misunderstood merely as a nuclear fuel, but its chemical properties make it fascinating. It stands out for me because of the following: 

1. Unique hybrid chemistry: uranium sits at the intersection of transition metals and exotic f elements. Its 5f and 6d orbitals participate in bonding, providing it with unique covalent character not found in lanthanides.

2. High potential catalysis: The redox chemistry of uranium is exceptional. Low-valent uranium complexes have promising applications in activating small molecules like dinitrogen, carbon dioxide and water.

3. A historic link to green energy: It was historically recognised by Fritz Haber as a viable catalyst for ammonia production. Modern research has brought this full circle, with recent studies showing uranium catalysts can perform the challenging 6-electron reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia under mild conditions. 

Uranium’s ability to act as a bridge between fundamental, exotic bonding and industrial catalysis and makes it, in my opinion, one of the most exciting elements in the periodic table.