Plamen Atanassov is a distinguished professor known for his impactful work in the field of chemical and molecular engineering. He began his academic journey in Bulgaria, following a lineage of educators in his family. He made the deliberate choice to pursue chemistry and then focused on chemical physics, eventually obtaining his Ph.D. in electrochemistry. Throughout his career, Atanassov's research has evolved to prioritize projects with significant societal impact. Notably, he is committed to addressing the scarcity of platinum group metal catalysts, which are crucial for processes like hydrogen fuel cells and carbon dioxide capture. These metals are rare and regionally confined, posing challenges for sustainable technology deployment. To overcome these limitations, Atanassov is dedicated to developing catalysts that are not reliant on these scarce materials. His goal is to create catalysts that democratize technology by minimizing resource limitations, allowing technologies like hydrogen fuel cells to be more widely accessible. He's also exploring ways to reduce the usage of these precious metals while working on projects related to carbon dioxide capture and utilization, as well as the production of green ammonia. Atanassov's dedication to impactful research extends to his work with graduate students and postdocs. He takes immense pride in their successes, emphasizing that their achievements are his ultimate source of joy. With a family history rooted in education and a commitment to addressing pressing global challenges, Plamen Atanassov's work is shaping the future of sustainable technology and inspiring the next generation of researchers