MSU’S MATTINA BALANCES faith, physics in dual academic journey

By Sarah Nicholas

Torn between two compelling career paths, Mississippi State junior Anthony Mattina is navigating the intersections of faith and science, a journey shaped by a love for both the mysteries of the universe and deeprooted traditions of the Catholic church.

“I am currently deciding between two career paths with my physics degree,” said Mattina, a self-described “cradle Catholic.”

“Originally, I wished to become a cosmologist at the Vatican, reporting to the pope about cosmic happenings and their effect on or relation to the Catholic church and its teachings. Recently, however, I have developed a passion for medical physics, which is a field in radiation oncology.

“Several people close to me have fallen victim to cancer, leading to my growing desire to fight this terrible disease,” added the Biloxi native.

Mattina’s journey began through an early fascination with physics, a subject he said was the first to truly excite him.

“I used to spend hours going down rabbit holes within physics. My favorite sect is gravitational physics, hence why I initially concentrated in astrophysics,” he said.

“During the beginning of the pandemic, all there was to do for a sophomore in high school was browse the internet. I stumbled upon videos exploring astrophysics and couldn’t get enough.

I sought out different theories to study and decided this was something I could spend a lifetime learning.”

Mattina’s academic pursuits include a minor in religion, a subject about which he is equally passionate.

“I have a goal to convince others that religion and science aren’t mutually exclusive but rather complement each other,” he said. “Physics allows me to understand the little intricacies of God’s creation and appreciate the divine nature of the universe to the farthest reaches of space.”

This perspective informs his academic and career ambitions, particularly his interest in potentially becoming a cosmologist at the Vatican.

“While I wouldn’t say it’s been my primary goal in the past, it’s certainly been rising in my ranks recently,” he said. “It’s usually appointed to someone in a religious vocation, which isn’t an easy decision.”

Yet, his passion for medical physics offers a compelling alternative.

“When I initially picked my major, I saw the medical concentration. I researched it a tad, but I didn’t revisit it until a shadowing opportunity fell in my lap,” he said. “The moment I stepped in the hospital I knew I would enjoy this as a career.”

Mattina’s path is further enriched by his deep interest in genealogy, a topic he began exploring at just 12 years old.

“My family tree currently has more than 2,000 direct ancestors,” he said, including some surprising discoveries of potential connections to historical figures including Princess Diana, George Washington and Winston Churchill.

As he continues his studies, Mattina is involved in two significant research projects, each reflecting his dual interests in physics.

“I currently work with Professor Dipangkar Dutta on a nuclear physics project with quantum physics implications. We aim to precisely define certain particles using specialized equipment and facilities,” he said. “My second project is with William Duggar in the medical physics division of the radiation oncology department at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. We will train a program to automate the patient remapping process to drastically shorten the time between the moment of diagnosis and the beginning of treatment.”

Pursuing these diverse interests requires a careful balance.

“It comes down to priorities,” Mattina said. “My ancestry will always be there for me to research, so I only do it when I have the time. Faith, family, school and then the fun stuff.”

To other students trying to balance multiple academic interests, Mattina offers this advice: “Give it a semester before you add the second, third or even fourth thing. I am majoring in physics with minors in mathematics and religion, and I may pick up a German minor, but I didn’t make these decisions until I felt comfortable with the one interest. For students who feel ready, find the space in your schedule to take a class in that subject before really committing to the extra schooling.

“I really do love what I study,” he continued. “There are several different types of motivation, but love is the strongest motivator. Love is why I currently favor medical physics; I’m driven by a love for those in my life that have cancer.”

So how will he pick his ultimate career path?

“Job prospects certainly affect things and finances play a role, but ultimately it’s what God calls me to do,” Mattina said. “Working in the Vatican would be an amazing and unique experience, but if I’m called to help people overcome cancer, I’d gladly do so.” u