Aleksander Prominski On Approaching Chemistry with Integrity and a Love for Exploration
“Scientific integrity and exploration are very important to me,” said Aleksander Prominski, “My goal is to deliver the highest-quality research without cutting corners.” Prominski is part of Professor Tian’s group and his current research involves modulation of biological activity and chemical reactions at biointerfaces, “Part of the reason I chose to come to UChicago is that the academic culture values learning over production.” explained Prominski.
Prominski approaches research questions by looking at the bigger picture and considering whether the work would make an impact. To create exceptional research, Prominski uses a multitude of interdisciplinary techniques to study bioelectronics, robotics and soft matter dynamics. From an early age, Prominski explored different fields. After attending a music conservatory school as a teen, Prominski soon realized that he also excelled in science. Prominski went on to receive a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Warsaw, Poland. While immersed in research, his experience evolved from organic chemistry to materials science and now Prominski works with cells and tissues. “Expand your horizons and look at other sciences. Never stay in one field as opportunities are endless if we are bold and curious,” says Prominski. “Explore new research frontiers and take new challenges no one was considering before,”
Prominski has discovered another field of interest at UChicago - teaching. “Passing on knowledge to the next generation is an extremely valuable skill,” says Prominski, “To take students that are struggling with learning and to then help them succeed is incredibly rewarding.” Prominski hopes to pursue this passion by becoming a professor and devoting himself to both research and teaching in the future.
In his personal time, Prominski revels in the arts. To reconnect with his teenage experience of musical education, he likes to practice piano at the Logan Center. His other creative endeavor is landscape and wildlife photography, a passion he developed during his college years. Prominski is also an active athlete, he practices mixed martial arts and was set to compete in a triathlon before it was canceled due to COVID-19.
Prominski is excited for the future, “I look forward to more opportunities to deliver breakthrough discoveries and share my experiences with people in the classroom, laboratory, and conferences.”