Fueled by wonder: My MSCA journey
Curiosity took me from a modest research lab in India to Prague’s advanced energy facilities under an MSCA fellowship, a journey that transformed both my science and my sense of possibility.
Rather than an ambition, my journey into science began with an emotion: wonder. I grew up in Gujarat, India, surrounded by both tradition and progress. I completed my early schooling in my hometown, but the most formative years of my education were spent with my grandparents, especially my mother’s parents. My grandfather, the principal of the local school, instilled in me a deep respect for learning and discipline. When I chose to pursue a Bachelor of Science, he was the one who encouraged me without hesitation. Their support laid the foundation for every step that followed.
A new horizon through MSCA
Receiving the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT) in Prague was one of the most defining moments of my career – and my first international journey. Arriving in Prague, a city full of science, history, and collaboration, was both exciting and humbling.
At UCT, I work on two-dimensional (2D) materials such as layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and MXenes, exploring their potential for alkaline electrocatalysis, specifically for hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen evolution (OER) reactions. I also focus on anion exchange membranes for seawater and alkaline electrolyser cells. The goal is to develop cost-effective, efficient systems that can produce green hydrogen, a key fuel for the clean energy transition.
Every experiment connects materials science to sustainability, transforming curiosity into solutions. Research can be challenging, but I have learned to see obstacles as part of the innovation process. Each result, successful or not, teaches patience and creativity.
The people behind the science
What I value most in this journey is the people. Working in a multicultural European laboratory has shown me that collaboration is the real catalyst for discovery. Ideas grow stronger when shared across cultures and disciplines. Conversations that begin casually often lead to new insights and research directions.
Travelling for conferences and international meetings has been another source of growth. Recently, I was selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Chemistry 2025, a unique opportunity to engage with Nobel laureates and young scientists from around the world. This recognition motivates me to continue contributing to research that bridges knowledge and purpose.
Purpose beyond research
For me, green hydrogen is more than a scientific topic; it represents hope and responsibility. The work I do could help make clean energy more accessible, even in regions where it is needed most.
But my purpose extends beyond the laboratory. I want to mentor young students, especially from smaller universities, who might think world-class research is beyond their reach. I also aim to inspire more women to pursue careers in science and technology. Women bring creativity, empathy, and resilience to research, all qualities that drive innovation.
Representation matters; when young women see others like them succeeding in science, they begin to believe they belong there too.
The MSCA fellowship has taught me that scientific success is not just measured by publications, but by the people you empower and the ideas you help grow.
Looking forward
I remain the same person who still feels excited by every new idea and experiment: curious, confident, sometimes impatient, but always hopeful. I want to keep exploring how electrocatalysis and renewable materials can push the boundaries of green energy, while building human connections that power innovation.
Science has taken me across borders, both literally and intellectually. Each step in this journey reminds me how far curiosity can travel and how powerful it becomes when shared.
Payal Chauhan
University of Chemistry and Technology, Czech Republic
[email protected]
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