Work isn't just about the pay cheque for skilled chemistry technician

Dr. Angelina Morales-Izquierdo, a mass spectrometry specialist in the Department of Chemistry, had no idea she had been nominated for the Nat Rutter Outstanding Technician Award when she received an e-mail congratulating her.

"I had no idea that I had been nominated," she said, "I had no idea this was going on."

The Nat Rutter awards are presented to excellent technicians at the University of Alberta who have made significant contribution to the university community.

"I do my best for everyone, and I get along with everybody," Morales-Izquierdo said.

"It's not just earning your salary, it's doing your best and liking what you do - and to some extent, it's for my own satisfaction."

Mass spectrometry refers to the techniques involved in determining the composition of a molecule using highly sophisticated technology. Morales-Izquierdo says that it's her job to use mass spectrometry to map out the individual atoms that constitute a molecular sample provided to her.

"We have a great variety of professors here with very different research and experiments, but they all need to know what molecule is in the vial they bring down for me," she said.

She then analyzes the sample using one of several mass spectrometry techniques to determine the molecular makeup of the molecule.

"If there is something not expected, I try to explain it as well - either the reaction went in a different direction, or further purification must be done, or interpretation of another analysis might be wrong," she said.

"So there's a lot of communication there that I'm willing and ready to do, and I think that that's appreciated."

Although the mass spectrometry lab is within the Department of Chemisty, Morales-Izquierdo works with people from many other faculties and universities.

"I just did a sample from Denmark yesterday," she said. "Some of these people have been here before, and they know the level of care we have--they trust that their samples are going to be handled very carefully. Other people have sent their samples to other labs and the tests failed because the other labs couldn't get results. However, they feel confident that we can get the results."

Ultimately, it's the quality of her work is what matters for Morales-Inzquierdo. "I just feel that if I can do my work well, it's worth doing. I don't mind the number of hours, and if I can give the professor or the researcher the push they need to keep going in their research, that makes my day," she said.

In addition to her professional work, Morales-Izquierdo volunteers in the department, taking care of the plants in the Chemistry Building as well as some of the campus wildlife, including the family of ducks that live in the V-wing courtyard.

"Professionally I think I'm solid, and outside of that, I try to be welcoming and warm - with all creatures, not only people," she said "I think that people know me for that - some may think I'm crazy - but all in all, I think they like me."