Faculty members Anna Samia and Clemens Burda have built careers on chemistry—and a life on the chemistry they feel toward each other.
Burda and Samia met at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1999. Both were studying chemistry—Burda as a postdoctoral fellow and Samia as a PhD candidate.
Their relationship blossomed as both spent hours on the same floor of the chemistry building researching, studying and teaching.
“We both worked hard and spent long stretches of time in that building,” Burda said. “Science can be tough and sometimes lonely, so we found time to get to know each other and spend time together outside of the laboratory.”
Four years later, Burda and Samia were married. At the time, Burda was two years into his appointment at Case Western Reserve’s Department of Chemistry, while Samia began work at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago.
After a few years of commuting from Chicago to Cleveland, Samia joined Burda at CWRU as a research associate in the School of Medicine. Finally able to focus on family, they had a son, Henrik, in 2007. In 2010, Samia moved from the School of Medicine to the chemistry department.
Now Burda, a professor of chemistry, and Samia, an assistant professor of chemistry, both have their labs and offices located in Millis Hall, researching complementing aspects of nanochemistry.
Burda works on nanomaterials with a focus on renewable energy and biomedical applications for diagnostic optical imaging. Samia, too, works with nanomaterials, but focuses on materials with exceptional magnetic properties for use in hyperthermia treatment and magnetic imaging applications such as MRI.
“My work complements his and his work complements mine,” Samia said. “It’s similar, but different at the same time.”
A perk of their similar studies is the ability to check each other’s research.
“We often don’t have the same interpretation of results, which makes us work harder, double-check our results and cross-check each other’s work,” Burda said. “We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to work with each other, and having someone to check your work is a great gift.”
When Burda and Samia aren’t in the lab, they enjoy spending family time with their son. Their Valentine’s Day plans reflect that commitment to family.
“The three of us are going to go to the Great Lakes Science Center for an IMAX movie and then over to Momocho in Ohio City for dinner,” Burda said. “We have a nice family day every year for Valentine’s Day.”
Their ability to have a work-life balance is not always plausible for a family in higher education, but it is one they both cherish.
“We’re the only couple in the chemistry department and it’s wonderful to be embraced and supported by our department and the university,” Samia said. “The university’s proactive approach to hiring couples creates a much better atmosphere and a balanced life.”
Read more about Samia and Burda in this week’s five questions—and see how their answers compare.
1. Where is your ideal place to go on a date?
Anna Samia: Going to the Great Lakes Science Center with the whole family. It’s not a date, but it’s nice to be together as a family.
Clemens Burda: Any restaurant in Ohio City, Tremont or downtown. We like to try new places.
2. What is your favorite chemical element? Why?
AS: Iron because my research is focused on magnetic materials.
CB: Gold. It has been instrumental in my research. Gold is not only noble, but also very useful.
3. What one word would you use to describe yourself, and what one word would your spouse use to describe you?
AS: He would describe me as “busy” because I’m constantly researching, teaching, volunteering or being a mom. I would describe myself as a “partner” because of our relationship in work and life.
CB: I would describe myself as “inquisitive” and Anna would describe me as a “family man.”
4. If you had to study a subject other than chemistry, what would it be and why?
AS: I think I would like to study the culinary arts. I would love to learn how to cook dishes from around the globe and bake.
CB: I would study physics. Everything follows the laws of physics. You can’t study enough of it.
5. What is your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve?
AS: I really like the camaraderie and the collaboration with students and colleagues in the department and also across the university. The collaboration barrier seems much less here than at other universities, making it easier to find other talented people to work with.
CB: Case Western Reserve University is a very collegial and down-to-earth place. I like the atmosphere and the people here are wonderful. I also like its location in the University Circle area and its proximity to Lake Erie.