Unexpected reactions: UCalgary-linked researcher finalist in national science image competition

A vivid green crystal that “wasn’t supposed to exist” has earned University of Calgary visiting researcher Joseph Zsombor-Pindera a finalist spot in the 2025 NSERC Science Exposed People’s Choice competition, a national showcase of captivating scientific images from across Canada.

The photo, titled Unexpected Reactions, is both visually stunning and a scientific surprise. It captures brilliantly shimmering crystals formed unexpectedly during a chemistry experiment. Instead of discarding the unintended result, Zsombor-Pindera did what great scientists often do: he looked closer. The result is now an award-nominated image that bridges research and artistry.

Zsombor-Pindera, a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia and a visiting researcher in the Faculty of Science at UCalgary, studies quantum materials, specifically, molecular qubits. These are magnetic molecules that can be manipulated by microwave pulses, potentially forming the foundation of next-generation quantum computers or other quantum devices.

The original goal was to crystallize a specific molecule to examine its magnetic behavior at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron in Saskatoon. 

“Usually, the crystals are red,” he says. “But one day, I pulled the vial out and saw these huge green shards under the microscope. I thought, ‘Whoa, what is that?”

It wasn’t what he intended to make but the result turned out to be far more interesting. The unexpected formation led to insights that helped explain an unusual signal in earlier experiments that was tied to how the electron cloud of a molecule behaves.

Unexpected crystal is at the heart of meaningful research

“Science doesn’t always go according to plan,” he says. “We don’t control nature. All we can do is try to understand it and sometimes, it’s beautiful.”

The photo was taken using a smartphone camera through a lab microscope, capturing the exact moment curiosity overrode routine. While the crystal itself isn’t a scientific breakthrough as Zsombor-Pindera emphasized, the experience it represents is at the heart of meaningful research: unexpected problems, surprising clues, and a willingness to pause and ask why.

“Most of the time, nature doesn’t give you what you ask for,” he says. “But if you pay attention, it might give you something more interesting.”

Dr. Pierre Kennepohl, Zsombor-Pindera’s supervisor and Associate Dean for Community and Innovation in the Faculty of Science, says the image reflects the essence of Joseph’s research journey.

“Joseph's exploration of factors that affect quantum coherence in molecular spin qubits has led to many frustrations and unanticipated challenges, but also to beautiful and sometimes surprising results like these wonderful crystals. I think of them as a stunning visual representation of the critical insights that he has obtained through his dedication and vision.”

Zsombor-Pindera emphasizes the importance of the contribution of the university staff who make his research possible. 

Analysis of the crystal was undertaken at the UCalgary Chemistry Department’s X-ray Crystallography Lab, aided by the technical expertise of Dr. Wen Zhou. “If this image brings recognition to the support staff who train students and maintain our instruments, that would mean a lot,” Zsombor-Pindera says.

Science has an artistic side 

The photo has also reignited conversation about the artistic side of science. “There’s a kind of artistry in how we interpret data, how we model the world,” he says. “This photo shows that science isn’t just equations, it can be visually and emotionally powerful.”

As for what he hopes viewers take away from Unexpected Reactions?

“First, I hope they think the crystals look cool,” he laughs. “But more than that, I hope it reminds people that nature doesn’t always behave, but it always has something to teach us.”

Vote for Joseph Zsombor-Pindera’s image, Unexpected Reactions, in the NSERC Science Exposed People’s Choice competition: Vote here