Israel E. Wachs

Israel E. Wachs is the G. Whitney Snyder Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Lehigh University, where he directs the Operando Molecular Spectroscopy and Catalysis Research Lab. His research spans three decades of pioneering work in heterogeneous catalysis, focusing on mixed metal oxides for applications in selective oxidation, environmental catalysis, hydrocarbon conversion, and sustainable energy processes.

Education:

• Ph.D., Stanford University
• M.S., Stanford University
• B.E., City College of New York

Wachs's research identifies catalytic active sites on heterogeneous catalysts using operando spectroscopy, integrating techniques like Raman, IR, UV-vis, NAP-XPS, HS-LEIS, XANES/EXAFS, NMR, EPR, STEM, TPSR, and MES. His work enables molecular-level structure-activity/selectivity relationships for advanced catalyst design.

Scientific Awards:

• Clean Air Excellence Award (EPA)
• George A. Olah Award (ACS)
• Humboldt Research Award (2012)
• Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2011)
• Lee Hsun Research Award (2015)
• Google Scholar ISI Golden 100 (2019)
• Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2019)

With over 300 technical articles (45,000+ citations, H index 125) and 36 U.S. patents, Wachs's group explores sustainable solutions for energy, pollution reduction, and chemical synthesis via operando molecular spectroscopy.