The stories of two successful graduates of the Master's degree program of the Faculty of Technology of YURSPU (NPI) Olga Papeta and Dmitry Pasyukov began with a school passion for chemistry, which turned into a professional love for this great science, with which modern humanity associates many hopes. Without chemistry, the progress of medicine and health protection, the creation of new materials, new sources and accumulators of energy, new clean and safe technologies and much more are impossible.
Olga Papeta came to Novocherkassk from Donetsk to continue her studies at the Master's degree program of the Faculty of Technology of the YURSPU (NPI) after completing her bachelor's degree at Donetsk National University.
- I like to do research, - says Olga. – I like to learn, to learn new things. I want to become a scientist in the future.
While still at school, Olya decided that she would enter the Faculty of Chemistry. "Chemical science allows us to conduct many experiments. Chemistry is a broad–spectrum science that penetrates into many spheres of human activity. I am most interested in organic chemistry, and in the laboratory of Alexander Petrovich Savostyanov (Research Institute "Nanotechnologies and New Materials", laboratory for processing carbon–containing materials - auth.) there is an opportunity to deal with organics with an emphasis on technological processes. I was impressed by the potential of the laboratory, including the employees' commitment to development, training, and their desire for more. I want to come here to do science."
Most recently, Olya brilliantly defended her master's thesis on the topic: "Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on composite mesoporous zeolite-containing catalysts". In the near future, the girl plans to enter graduate school, participate in competitions, write and publish articles.
According to Olga, to be successful, you need to know what you want and strive for your goals.
Dmitry Pasyukov also became interested in chemistry during his school years. The guy came to YURGPU (NPI) as to the university closest to his native Novoshakhtinsk, where you can get the desired education. Teachers noticed Dmitry's abilities in the second year of his bachelor's degree, by that time he was already working in the laboratory of synthesis of multifunctional substances, actively engaged in science, assisted colleagues in conducting experiments. In 2017, he joined the team of authors of an article published in the highly rated journal Organometallics. The article describes a new mechanism of catalytic action of palladium catalysts (palladium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes), which are widely used in modern organic synthesis. Dmitry considers the publication of an article in the prestigious international journal Chemical Science devoted to the destruction of palladium complexes to be the most significant success of the team of authors over the years. "We have raised a significant problem, opened it to the scientific community, drawing the attention of scientists to the fact that this topic needs to be addressed," says Dmitry Pasyukov.
Currently, the young researcher is working on a personal project – the development of a method for obtaining 4,5-dialkoxyimidazolium salts and the catalytic activity of their complexes with transition metals. This is a new reaction that has not been described before, so Dmitry can be safely considered a pioneer and a pioneer. His interest in "what happens if certain components are mixed" led him to discover a new compound.
- Now is the time to enroll to study at the Faculty of Technology in order to promote Russian science, - our hero is sure. - Our scientific base is currently actively developing, new laboratories are emerging. Studying and working here is very interesting!
Dmitry's senior colleagues served as an example for his further personal and professional growth. "First of all, this is Maxim Aleksandrovich Shevchenko, whom I consider a walking chemical encyclopedia," says Dima. - Whatever you ask him, he knows, and this is his quality that inspires me! I want to study chemistry even more and deeper. Of course, my supervisor Viktor Mikhailovich Chernyshev is also an example for me. The dedication with which he treats his work cannot but be admired."
A person's success is impossible without self-discipline, Dmitry is sure. Another mandatory component of success in the scientific field is curiosity akin to a child's, a constant desire to try something new, because this is the only way to "stumble" on something previously unknown. "Of course, it is important to observe safety precautions and think about your health," smiles Dmitry Pasyukov.
