Yuriy Román

Yuriy Román is the Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Chemistry at MIT. He leads the Román Group, focusing on heterogeneous catalysis and materials design, particularly addressing challenges in alternative energy, renewable chemicals, and novel catalyst design. His research integrates synthetic, spectroscopic, and engineering tools to study molecular transformations on catalytic surfaces, emphasizing nanoscale fabrication of catalytic sites.

Research Interests: The group’s work spans heterogeneous catalysis, materials engineering, and sustainable energy solutions. Key areas include lignin valorization for aviation fuels, polyolefin waste conversion via catalytic processes, and the development of nanostructured catalysts. Techniques such as electrospinning, in situ spectroscopy, and high-throughput synthesis are employed to optimize catalytic efficiency and material stability.

Advising & Grants: Advises PhD students (e.g., Dexter Loh, Emily Wu) and postdocs (e.g., Zachary Westman, Marcos Garcia Farpon). Recent grants support projects on lignin deoxygenation and plastic recycling. Collaborations with groups like the Stahl lab and NREL highlight interdisciplinary efforts.

Labs & Facilities: The Román Group operates within MIT’s Department of Chemical Engineering, leveraging advanced facilities for catalytic material synthesis and characterization. Their lab website provides detailed insights into ongoing projects and publications.