Prof. Yu Jihong is a full Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Jilin University, and serves as Director of the International Center of Future Science and Vice President of the Chinese Chemical Society. She leads the State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry. Her research focuses on designing nanoporous materials for energy and environmental applications, with over 320 publications in top journals like Science and Nature Communications. Education: BS (1989), MS (1992), PhD (1995) from Jilin University Postdoctoral: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (1996–1997), Tohoku University (1997–1998) Research interests include inorganic synthesis, porous materials, catalytic materials, and environmental applications. Her work bridges computational methods with experimental synthesis, yielding innovations in zeolite structures and catalytic systems. Awards: IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry Award (2017), TWAS Fellow (2016), Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician (2015), and multiple national science prizes. She is an Associate Editor of Chemical Science and leads editorial boards for Materials Horizons and others. Her articles emphasize novel synthetic methods, catalytic systems, and sustainable materials. Key themes include accelerating zeolite crystallization, designing nanocatalysts, and developing porous membranes for environmental applications.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hubert Huppertz is a Full Professor for Inorganic Chemistry and Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Innsbruck. He leads the Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry and is affiliated with the Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine. His research focuses on high-pressure/high-temperature synthesis of novel inorganic materials, crystal structure analysis, and theoretical chemistry. Education: PhD in Chemistry (University of Bayreuth), Habilitation in Inorganic Chemistry (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) His professional career spans roles from Scientific Assistant to Associate Professor at Munich and Innsbruck institutions. He has received multiple awards for research and teaching excellence, including the Forschungspreis der Stiftung Südtiroler Sparkasse (2019) and Lehreplus! Award (2010). Key affiliations: Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh), Gesellschaft Österreichischer Chemiker (GÖCh), Society of Glass Technology, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kristallographie (DGK)
Professor Paolo Fornasiero is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Trieste, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where he has worked since 1998. He serves as Deputy Director of the department since 2021 and Scientific Responsible of the CNR Research Unit associated with the Institute of Chemistry of OrganoMetallic Compounds (ICCOM) since 2008. His career spans EU projects, bilateral collaborations with China, India, and Argentina, and leadership roles in journals like ACS Catalysis (Executive Editor since 2021). Full Professor (2016–present) Associate Professor (2006–2016) Assistant Professor (1998–2006) Post-Doc, University of Reading (1996–1997) His research focuses on multi-functional metal-oxide nanosystems for energy and environmental catalysis, including green hydrogen production , CO2 valorization , and methane emission control . He pioneered core-shell catalysts and single-atom systems for stability and selectivity. His work extends to solid oxide fuel cells and photocatalytic water depollution . Recent publications highlight trends in photothermal catalysis , single-atom catalysts , and CO2 electroreduction . His 280+ papers (3 in Science , 2 in Nature Communications ) reflect expertise across Environmental Catalysis , Nanomaterials , and Green Energy . 2022 Malatesta Medal 2021 European Academy of Sciences member 2017 Edoardo Kramer Award 2016 Heinz Heinemann Award 2013 Chiusoli Gold Medal He oversees PhD/postdoc advising and participates in global capacity-building via UNIDO and World Academy of Sciences . His lab collaborates with institutions like KAUST , Czech Academy of Sciences , and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics .
Neil Champness is the Norman Haworth Professor of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. He holds a prestigious academic position following roles at the University of Nottingham, including Professor of Chemical Nanoscience (2004-2020). His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry, crystal engineering, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Champness leads a group pioneering studies on molecular self-assembly, surface chemistry, and functional materials. Education & Career - Began academic career with Teaching Fellowships at the University of Nottingham (1995) and Southampton (1994). - Became Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry at Nottingham (1998), progressing to Reader (2003) and full Professor (2004). - Currently heads the Champness Group at Birmingham, established in 2021. Research Interests Champness’s work spans: - Design of porous materials (MOFs, HOFs) for gas storage and catalysis. - Surface self-assembly of 2D supramolecular frameworks. - Photoresponsive materials and molecular rotaxanes. - Chemical synthesis under constrained conditions. His group emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, linking chemistry with materials science and nanotechnology. Awards & Recognition 2019: Elected Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences 2020: EPSRC Established Career Fellowship 2016: Royal Society of Chemistry Surfaces & Interfaces Award 2011: Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher 2006: Corday-Morgan Medal (Royal Society of Chemistry) Advisory Roles & Grants - Editorial roles include Chem, Crystals, and CrystEngComm. - Served on Royal Society panels, Irish Research Council, and IUPAC. - Secured major grants from EPSRC and Royal Society. Labs & Collaborations His Birmingham group collaborates globally, with visiting professorships in Japan, Australia, and Brazil. Research is supported by advanced facilities in crystallography and surface chemistry.
Jia Min Chin is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Chemistry , affiliated with the Institute of Functional Materials and Catalysis . Her research focuses on advanced materials, particularly Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Gold nanoparticles, and N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) chemistry, with applications in catalysis, environmental remediation, and sustainable technology. Her scientific work contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovations in functional materials and catalytic systems. Key projects include Breaking the ice – novel energy efficient hybrid de-icing systems and DYNAMOF: Electric Field Assisted Dynamic MOF Alignment , funded by major research grants. She received the prestigious ERC Grant in 2020 for her contributions to materials science. Chin's research spans MOF-based nanocomposites, photonic assemblies, and biomedical applications. Her publications highlight trends in Stimuli-responsive materials (electric/magnetic fields) Green catalytic systems Anti-icing and humidity-sensing coatings Cancer therapy platforms Scientific Awards ERC Grant (2020) She collaborates globally on cutting-edge topics like MOF alignment, nerve agent decomposition, and CO2 reduction, with recent activities including lectures at international conferences and workshops on material structuring.
Leigh David is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Manchester, holding the Sir Samuel Hall Chair since 2014. Previously, he held prestigious roles such as the Forbes Chair of Organic Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh (2001–2012) and Chair of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Warwick (1998–2001). His research focuses on synthetic molecular machines, supramolecular chemistry, and molecular knots, with notable contributions to the design of molecular motors and catenanes. David earned a BSc (Special Honours) and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield (1981–1987). He conducted postdoctoral research at the National Research Council of Canada (1987–1989) before joining the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, where he advanced from Lecturer (1989–1996) to Readership (1996–1998). His research interests include developing synthetic strategies for molecular-scale machines, exploring applications in nanotechnology, and investigating dynamic covalent chemistry. Key areas involve creating molecular knots, interlocked structures, and systems capable of programmable motion. David has received numerous accolades, including the Royal Society Bakerian Medal (2013), ERC Advanced Grants (2008, 2014), and the Feynman Prize for Nanotechnology (2007). His work has been recognized globally through fellowships in the Royal Society (2009) and Royal Society of Edinburgh (2005). He leads a research group advancing molecular robotics and has secured major grants, such as the EPSRC Senior Research Fellowship (2005–2010). His lab focuses on translating molecular systems into functional devices with applications in materials science and biotechnology.
Prof. Fabian Dielmann is a Professor of Organometallic Chemistry at the University of Innsbruck's Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry. He leads the Dielmann Lab within the Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine. His research focuses on molecular inorganic chemistry, phosphorus chemistry, coordination chemistry, and catalysis. Joined University of Innsbruck as Full Professor in 2020 Previously held positions at Münster University (2013–2020) and UCSD/UCR (2011–2013) Recipient of prestigious awards including the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz-Preis (2019) and Karl-Arnold-Preis (2020) Active in bimetallic catalysis, CO₂ capture, and light-driven materials Research interests emphasize phosphorus-rich compounds, transition metal complexes, and sustainable catalytic systems. His work spans from fundamental reactivity studies to applications in green chemistry and energy storage. Recent articles highlight breakthroughs in photoswitchable carbon dioxide capture and novel phosphorus-based materials. Key grants include Emmy Noether Research Group (2017–present) and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowships. His lab focuses on supramolecular assemblies, dynamic covalent polymers, and reactive intermediates like carbenes and nitrenes.
Elisa Riedo is a tenured Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering, with joint appointments as Professor of Physics in NYU’s College of Arts and Science and as affiliated Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Tandon. She serves as Director of Faculty Development at NYU Tandon and has held prior tenured positions at Georgia Tech (2003–2015) and CUNY ASRC (2015–2018). Her academic career spans over two decades, with a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Milano (2000) and postdoctoral work at EPFL. Her research focuses on nanotechnology , graphene and 2D materials , and thermal scanning probe lithography (tSPL) , with applications in biomedical diagnostics quantum electronics electromagnetic interference shielding mechanical reinforcement of materials She pioneered tSPL for sustainable nanofabrication and discovered diamene—a single-layer diamond structure from graphene under pressure. Her recent work involves transparent infrared electrodes using silver nanowires (2025) and self-organized graphene stacking domains for quantum technologies (2024). She has secured major grants from National Science Foundation , Department of Defense , and Army Research Office . Scientific honors include: 2023 NYU Tandon Excellence in Research Award 2013 American Physical Society Fellow 2005 CREA Innovation Award Membership in the Academy of Europe (2023) She contributes to editorial boards for journals like 2D Materials and Applications and advises companies such as Mirimus Inc. and SwissLitho AG .
Professor Matthew Jonathan Rosseinsky holds the Chair of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, a position he has occupied since October 1999. His career includes significant appointments at the University of Oxford (1992-1999) and Bell Laboratories in New Jersey (1990-1992), following his DPhil at Merton College, Oxford. As a Fellow of the Royal Society and recipient of numerous prestigious awards, Professor Rosseinsky maintains an active research program and leadership roles in the international chemistry community. Professor Rosseinsky's educational background includes a First Class Honours degree in Chemistry with Quantum Chemistry from the University of Oxford (1987) and a DPhil in "Physical Properties of Superconducting Oxides and Radical Cation Salts" completed in 1990 under Professor P. Day FRS. His research focuses on the synthesis of new materials with applications in energy storage and generation, communications, separation, and catalysis. The Rosseinsky Group employs a broad range of synthesis and characterization techniques, including neutron and synchrotron X-ray diffraction, combined with computational methods in collaboration with Dr. George Darling. Current research areas include Dynapore, CO2 fuels, SOLBAT, and CATMAT projects that target specific material challenges. Professor Rosseinsky's publication record is exceptional, with 304 papers including 11 in Nature, 6 in Science, and 3 in Nature Materials, accumulating over 15,000 citations and an h-index of 56 as of 2012. His work demonstrates consistent excellence across materials chemistry, with particular emphasis on porous frameworks, electronic materials, and solid-state chemistry. Among his numerous accolades are the Harrison Memorial Prize (1991), Corday-Morgan Medal (2000), Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (2002), De Gennes Prize (2009), and the prestigious Hughes Medal from the Royal Society (2011). He also holds an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant and has delivered distinguished lectures worldwide. Professor Rosseinsky has served in numerous editorial and advisory capacities, including as Associate Editor for Chemical Sciences, membership on the Royal Society Conference and Travel Grant Committee since 2007, and as a member of the International Advisory Board for the Max Planck Institut for Solid State Research since 2011. His professional activities extend to international review committees for research institutions in France, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. The Rosseinsky Group operates within the Department of Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, collaborating extensively with researchers including Dr. John Claridge, Professor Andrew Cooper, and Professor Paul Chalker. The group maintains strong international partnerships and utilizes advanced facilities for materials synthesis and characterization to drive innovation in functional materials development.
Jürgen Gauss is a Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany. With over 350 publications and an h-index of 85 (ISI WebOfScience)/96 (Google Scholar), his work focuses on high-accuracy quantum-chemical methods for energy and property calculations. Education: PhD in Theoretical Chemistry (1988), Universität zu Köln Positions: Full Professor (2001-present), Associate Professor (1995-2001), Research Associate (1991-1995), Postdoctoral Researcher (1990-1991) His research revolutionized NMR chemical shift calculations through the GIAO-MP2 scheme, extended to Cholesky decomposition techniques. He pioneered the first CCSD(T)-level analytic second derivatives for magnetic properties and developed the HEAT protocol for sub-kJ/mol thermochemical accuracy. Scientific Awards: Carl-Duisberg Gedächtnispreis (1996) Medal of International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science (1997) Akademiepreis (2003) Gottfried-Wilhelm Leibniz-Prize (2005) Foreign Member, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (2018) Advisees: Current PhD students include Sophia Burger, Florian Mast, Max Erichsen, and Malte Hellmann. His group develops the widely-used CFOUR quantum chemistry software package (over 1,000 licenses).
Stefanie Dehnen is a Professor at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), focusing on multinary, non-oxidic cluster and network compounds with applications in inorganic and materials chemistry. Her group specializes in synthesizing precursor compounds with binary main group element units to develop materials with unique electronic and structural properties. Corresponding Member, Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (since 2024) Her research bridges fundamental studies of cluster architectures and practical applications in solid-state chemistry, including lithium superionic conductors and photonic materials. Key themes include aromaticity in heavy-metal clusters, structural expansion, and strain-induced rearrangements. Recent publications highlight her work on bismuth-based clusters, thorium-doped systems, and lithium-ion conductive materials, reflecting expertise in synthesizing complex inorganic structures. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz-Preis (DFG) ERC Advanced Grant Alfred-Stock-Gedächtnispreis (GDCh) Fellow of Chemistry Europe Alexander Todd-Hans Krebs Lectureship (RSC/GDCh)
Elio Giamello is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Turin, Italy, where he has been a faculty member since 1986, first as Associate Professor (1986-1999) and then as Full Professor (1999-present). He has held significant administrative roles including Head of the Department of Chemistry (2005-2008), Head of the PhD School in Science and High Technology (2006-2012), and Member of the Board of Governors of the University of Turin (2013-present). Professor Giamello's research focuses on solid state and surface chemistry, particularly metal oxide-based materials. His work centers on the application of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate paramagnetic and radical centers in bulk and surface materials. Since around 2000, he has expanded his research to include visible light-activated photocatalytic systems, developing novel doped oxide materials like zirconium dioxide for environmental applications. His extensive publication record includes 238 ISI-classified journal papers (as of March 2016) with 8,873 citations and an h-index of 49. His research spans fundamental surface chemistry to applied photocatalysis, with particular expertise in EPR characterization of defects and reactive intermediates in oxide materials. Professor Giamello has received significant recognition including membership in the prestigious Accademia delle Scienze di Torino (2013), the European Academy of Sciences (2012), and a Humboldt Research Award (2007): Nominated member of the ACCADEMIA DELLE SCIENZE DI TORINO (2013) Member of the European Academy of Sciences (2012), Discipline: Materials Science Winner of a Humboldt Research Award (2007) for work in Physical Chemistry of Surfaces He has supervised numerous undergraduate and PhD students throughout his career and maintains active collaborations with research groups across Italy, Europe, the United States, and Japan. Professor Giamello has also been active in teaching both at his home institution and as an Invited Professor abroad, including at Advanced Schools throughout Italy and internationally. Currently, he leads a research team at the University of Turin investigating paramagnetic centers in oxide materials and developing new photocatalytic systems activated by visible light.
Nico Sommerdijk is a Professor of Bone Biochemistry at the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen. Previously, he held positions at Eindhoven University of Technology, including Full Professor (2014–2019) and Head of the Laboratory of Materials and Interface Chemistry. His research focuses on biomineralization, biomimetic materials, and advanced electron microscopy techniques, particularly cryo-EM and liquid-phase EM. He earned his PhD (cum laude) from Radboud University Nijmegen in 1995 and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Kent (UK), Radboud University, and Eindhoven University of Technology. He pioneered the use of cryo-EM to study organic-inorganic interactions and founded the Radboud Electron Microscopy Center. His work has been supported by prestigious grants, including an ERC Advanced Grant (2018), NWO VICI (2010), and TOP-PUNT (2016). Notable awards include the Royal Society of Chemistry Soft Matter Award (2015) and the NWO VIDI Award (2006). Key research areas include collagen mineralization mechanisms, crystal nucleation, and biomaterial design. His interdisciplinary approach bridges chemistry, materials science, and biophysics, with applications in biomedical materials and geology.
Assoc. Prof. Gunter Heymann is an Associate Professor at the Department of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria. He leads the Heymann Lab and specializes in high-pressure synthesis, crystallography, and the design of novel inorganic materials. His research focuses on borates, chalcogenides, and luminescent materials, with contributions to understanding structural properties under extreme conditions. Heymann holds a PhD from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (2007) and a Habilitation in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Innsbruck (2018). He has received notable awards, including the Lupe Award (2009) and Römer Award (2007). His work integrates experimental and theoretical methods to explore materials for optical and electronic applications. Education: PhD in Chemistry (2007), Habilitation in Inorganic Chemistry (2018) Affiliations: Heymann Lab, Institute of General, Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry Key Research Areas: High-pressure synthesis, crystal engineering, borate chemistry, luminescent materials Recent studies include investigations into new borate polymorphs, red-emitting phosphors, and UV-transparent materials. His publications emphasize structural characterization and functional material design, often leveraging advanced techniques like single-crystal X-ray diffraction and computational modeling.
Prof. Julio Lloret-Fillol is a Group Leader at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) and an ICREA Research Professor since 2015. His work bridges homogeneous catalysis , material science , and automation to develop sustainable chemical processes and solar fuels. He earned his PhD in 2006 from Universidad de Valencia under Prof. Lahuerta and J. Pérez-Prieto, followed by postdoctoral research at University of Heidelberg (MEyC and Marie Curie Fellowships). Awards: 2024 RSEQ-GEQO Award on Excellence 2023 Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry 2022 Ramón Areces Grant 2019 Thieme Chemistry Journals Award 2017 Young Academy of Europe 2015 Young Researcher RSEQ Award Research Interests: Water oxidation catalysis CO₂ reduction to value-added chemicals Artificial photosynthesis Electrocatalytic hydrogen generation Spin-off technologies for green hydrogen and photoreactors Notable Publications: 2024: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (electrocatalytic ketones from CO₂) 2024: ACS Catal. (Fe-doped NiO for OER) 2023: ACS Catal. (COF-based cobalt catalysts) 2022: JACS (OER mechanism with cobalt complexes) 2022: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. (chloroalkane activation) Spin-offs: Treellum Technologies (photoreactors) JOLT Solutions (electrodes for hydrogen production)
