Anthony Mattina
Torn between two compelling career paths, 无尽资源采集 State junior Anthony Mattina is navigating the intersections of faith and science鈥攁 journey shaped by a love for both the mysteries of the universe and the traditions of the Catholic Church.
鈥淚鈥檓 currently deciding between two career paths with my physics degree,鈥 said Mattina, a self-described 鈥渃radle Catholic.鈥
鈥淥riginally, I wanted to become a cosmologist at the Vatican, reporting to the pope about cosmic happenings and their relation to Catholic teachings. Recently, though, I鈥檝e developed a passion for medical physics.鈥
That passion stems from personal experience. 鈥淪everal people close to me have fallen victim to cancer, leading to my growing desire to fight this terrible disease,鈥 said the Biloxi native.
Mattina鈥檚 fascination with physics began in high school during the pandemic. 鈥淎ll there was to do was browse the internet. I stumbled upon astrophysics videos and couldn鈥檛 get enough. I sought out different theories to study and decided this was something I could spend a lifetime learning.鈥
He now is majoring in physics with minors in mathematics and religion. His religious studies reflect a broader goal: 鈥淚 want to convince others that religion and science aren鈥檛 mutually exclusive, but rather complement each other. Physics helps me understand the intricacies of God鈥檚 creation.鈥
Though the idea of becoming a Vatican cosmologist still appeals to him, medical physics offers a more immediate way to make a difference. 鈥淲hen I shadowed in a hospital, I knew I鈥檇 enjoy this as a career,鈥 he said.
Mattina is already deeply engaged in research that mirrors his dual interests. At MSU, he works with Professor Dipangkar Dutta on a nuclear physics project with quantum implications. As a student researcher with the University of 无尽资源采集 Medical Center, he鈥檚 part of a radiation oncology team training software to automate the patient remapping process鈥攃utting the time between diagnosis and treatment.
Balancing it all鈥攆aith, studies, research and even a deep personal interest in genealogy鈥攔equires careful planning. 鈥淚t comes down to priorities. Faith, family, school, and then the fun stuff,鈥 he said.
His advice to students with multiple interests: 鈥淕ive it a semester before you add the second or third thing. For students who feel ready, find space in your schedule to try a new class before committing.鈥
As for choosing between careers?
鈥淯ltimately, it鈥檚 what God calls me to do.鈥
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