For Luca Mastropasqua, advancing sustainable energy is more than just research—it’s a collaborative journey that brings together innovation, community, and mentorship. Originally from Milan, Italy, Mastropasqua now calls UW–Madison home. Here he’s making waves as an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, with his work in the lab and in the classroom earning him the Vilas Faculty Early-Career Investigator Award, one of the university’s most prestigious honors for early-career faculty. The award recognizes not only outstanding research, but also the promise of continued real-world impact.
At the heart of Mastropasqua’s work is the Hydrogen and Electrochemical Research for Decarbonization (HERD) Lab. There, he and his team focus on developing sustainable energy solutions, particularly in electrochemical devices and processes. His research, which sits at the crossroads of mechanical and chemical engineering, aims to tackle real-world energy challenges. This interdisciplinary nature extends across multiple engineering and STEM fields, reflecting the collaborative approach needed to advance energy systems.
This hands-on, applied approach is reflected in the HERD Lab culture, which Mastropasqua has shaped into a diverse and talented team with graduate students and postdocs from all corners of the globe.
“A good portion of my lab is international. You get very close to all of them, learning their personal stories as they navigate graduate school,” he said. “What we do in the lab happens because of the students and postdocs who run the experiments. Their perspectives are what keep our research vibrant and innovative.”
This collaborative research area has also shaped his teaching. Mastropasqua created a new course, Electrochemical Engineering, which draws students from across engineering disciplines. His course is constantly evolving to better align with renewable energy and workforce development.
“We’re always updating and adding new experiments students can run on their own. The focus is on energy transition and renewable energies,” Mastropasqua said.
What truly makes Mastropasqua stand out—and what makes the Vilas Award feel like a natural fit—is his deep commitment to turning discovery into real-world impact. He’s building bridges between academic research and industry through initiatives like an emerging industrial consortium that connects companies with student researchers and demonstration projects at industrial sites. These partnerships prepare students for careers in a rapidly evolving energy landscape while advancing science.
The Vilas Faculty Early Career Investigator Award celebrates this blend of rigorous research, dedicated mentorship, and real-world impact. For Mastropasqua, it’s not just a nod to what he’s accomplished—it’s a signal of the exciting contributions still to come in sustainable energy.