Ina Vollmer is an assistant professor at the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group at Utrecht University, Netherlands. She focuses on mechano-catalytic depolymerization of plastic waste to produce high-quality chemical building blocks, combining heterogeneous catalysis with mechano-chemical bond scission at room temperature. Education : Process Engineering (Hamburg University of Applied Science), Chemical Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2015), PhD in methane aromatization over zeolite catalysts (2019). Research : Develops novel strategies for plastic recycling using ceramic grinding spheres functionalized with catalytic sites, enabling radical-based polymer conversion without high-temperature pyrolysis. Awards : Veni and XS grants from Dutch Research Council (NWO) in 2021 for room-temperature plastic conversion technology. Patents : Holds a patent (2022) for mechano-catalytic plastic recycling methods.
Matthew R. Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Rice University and holds the Gene and Norman Hackerman Junior Chair and Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator titles. He joined Rice in 2017 after postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley under Paul Alivisatos and a PhD at Northwestern University under Chad Mirkin. His research focuses on systems-level nanoparticle assembly, plasmonics, and metamaterials, with applications in energy storage and biomedicine. Jones has pioneered techniques like 4D-STEM for catalytic nanoparticles and developed adaptive materials via strain-controlled synthesis. Education: B.S. in Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering (Carnegie Mellon University), Ph.D. in Chemistry (Northwestern University as an NSF Fellow). Key awards include the Packard Fellowship (2018) and NSF CAREER Award (2022). His lab hosts over 20 graduate students and postdocs, with notable advisees including Bukky, Zhihua Cheng, and Saxton. Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches: combining in-situ microscopy, ligand engineering, and computational modeling to control nanoparticle behavior. Recent studies include strain-preserved nanocatalysts (2024) and chiral superlattices (2024). Collaborations span Rice’s Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences and the Electrochemical Society. Lab: Jones Research Group Grants: NSF CAREER, Packard Fellowship, Rice Seed Award Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including Science Advances (2024) and Nature Communications (2023)
YEO Boon Siang, Jason is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Education) in the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on developing advanced materials for sustainable energy conversion, particularly in CO 2 reduction and water splitting, using cutting-edge analytical techniques like operando spectroscopy. He holds a Dr. Sc. from ETH Zürich and a postdoc fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Education: Dr. Sc., ETH Zürich (2005-2009) M.Sc., National University of Singapore (2004) B.Sc. (Hons) First Class, National University of Singapore (2001) Research interests emphasize designing robust catalysts for energy-efficient CO 2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, with a focus on understanding reaction mechanisms at the atomic level. Recent work includes breakthroughs in acetylene-to-1,3-butadiene electroreduction and carbonate-to-formate conversions. Teaching contributions in AY2024/2025 include CM5244 Advanced Environmental Chemistry. He has received multiple teaching awards, including the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (2013-2020) and the Annual Excellence Teaching Award (2014/2015). Key achievements include over 10 high-impact publications in Nature Catalysis , J. Am. Chem. Soc. , and Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. , focusing on electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction and material design.
Christopher Parlett is a **Lecturer** in the **CE - Academic & Research** division at the University of Manchester, concurrently serving as a **University of Manchester-Diamond Light Source Research Fellow in Catalysis**. He leads research at the **University of Manchester at Harwell group**, focusing on heterogeneous catalytic systems and operando X-ray spectroscopy to study catalytic active sites. His work emphasizes sustainable chemical conversions, including selective oxidations and biomass upgrading, alongside functional nanomaterials for applications in gas storage and healthcare. **Education**: PhD in Chemistry from Cardiff University (under Professors Adam F. Lee and Karen Wilson), MSc in Green Chemistry from the University of York, and BSc in Chemistry from Anglia Ruskin University. **Research Themes**: Catalyst design, metal-support interactions, porous oxide materials, and operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. His projects aim to develop nano-engineered materials for industrial applications, replacing costly and environmentally harmful reagents. **Key Activities**: Organized the 25th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (2021), co-edits the *Emergent Materials* journal, and chairs the SCI Early Careers Materials Committee. Active in professional organizations like the Institution of Chemical Engineers. **Grants & Projects**: Principal Investigator for the ongoing *UoMaH: The University of Manchester at Harwell* project (since 2018), exploring nanoparticles, catalytic reactions, and advanced materials. **Labs/Teams**: Part of the Manchester at Harwell research hub, collaborating on synchrotron-based studies and catalytic material development.
Thomas Justus Schmidt is a Professor and Chair for Electrochemistry at ETH Zürich and Head of the PSI Center for Energy & Environmental Sciences at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland. He also directs the Swiss Center of Excellence for NetZero Emissions. His research focuses on electrochemical energy conversion and storage, including fuel cells, electrolyzers, and catalyst development. Schmidt received his University Diploma (1996) and PhD (2000) in Chemistry from the University of Ulm, followed by postdoctoral work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He has held leadership roles in industry (BASF Fuel Cell GmbH) and academia, including directing the Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research. His awards include the Charles W. Tobias Young Investigator Award and the CW Schönbein Gold Medal. He advises PhD students and leads interdisciplinary teams at ETH and PSI, with a focus on advancing sustainable energy technologies. Education: University of Ulm (Diploma 1996, PhD 2000) Industry Experience: BASF Fuel Cell GmbH (2002–2010) Key Roles: Director of Swiss NetZero Center, Head of PSI Energy & Environmental Sciences His research bridges fundamental electrochemistry with practical applications, emphasizing catalyst design, operando spectroscopy, and sustainable energy systems. Notable projects include high-temperature membrane electrode assemblies and CO₂ electroreduction technologies. Collaborations leverage PSI’s large-scale facilities for advanced material characterization. Scientific contributions include over 200 publications in journals like Nature Chemistry and Advanced Energy Materials . His team explores electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution/reduction reactions and novel materials for energy storage. Current work addresses scalability of electrochemical processes and low-carbon technologies.
Professor Peter Wells is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, with a joint appointment at Diamond Light Source. His research focuses on operando spectroscopy, heterogeneous catalysis, and nanoparticle design. He coordinates the CHEM3054 module on Inorganic Materials Chemistry and holds a Fellow accreditation from the Higher Education Academy. Education: MChem in Chemistry (University of Surrey, 2003) PhD in tailored metal nanoparticle preparation and characterization (University of Southampton, 2007) His research integrates advanced X-ray techniques (e.g., X-ray absorption spectroscopy) with computational methods like DFT simulations to study catalyst dynamics. Key areas include stabilizing structural changes in palladium nanoparticles and designing nanoparticle catalysts for sustainable chemical production from waste biomass. He collaborates with the UK Catalysis Hub and serves on peer-review panels for Diamond Light Source and the Swiss Light Source. Active Research Projects (EPSRC): Core Equipment 2024 (£1.26M, PI) Nitridic and Carbidic Pd Nanoparticles for Directed Catalysis Peter supervises multiple PhD students in Chemistry and actively mentors researchers through collaborative grants. His work bridges experimental and theoretical approaches to catalysis, emphasizing real-time structural analysis under operational conditions.
Giuliana Di Martino is an Associate Professor in Device Materials at the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy, University of Cambridge. She leads the Di Martino Lab, which focuses on sustainable power solutions for non-volatile memory (NVM) and brain-like computing systems. Education : Bachelor and Master degrees from Università di Catania and Scuola Superiore di Eccellenza di Catania; PhD in Nanoplasmonics for Materials Innovation at Imperial College London (2014). Her research bridges plasmon-enhanced light-matter interactions and optically-accessible memristive devices , leveraging ultra-concentrated light in plasmonic nanocavities to study atomic-scale dynamics in memory nano-devices. Recent work includes self-assembly of nanomaterials , surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) , and low-power electronics for sustainable IT. Scientific Awards : Winton Advanced Research Fellowship (2018) Her grants include funding from EPSRC , Leverhulme Trust , Isaac Newton Trust , Royal Society , and ERC Starting Grant . The Di Martino Lab collaborates within the Device Materials Group (DMG), which includes three Principal Investigators.
Cameron L. Bentley is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemistry at Monash University, Australia. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from Monash University (2015), focusing on electroanalysis in ionic liquids. After completing his doctorate, he worked at the University of Warwick (UK) through prestigious fellowships including Endeavour, Marie Skłodowska-Curie, and Ramsay Memorial. In November 2020, he returned to Monash to lead an independent research group funded by a DECRA Fellowship. Affiliations: School of Chemistry (Monash University), Warwick Electrochemistry and Interfaces Group (former) Research Focus: Nanoscale electrochemistry, electrocatalyst design for renewable energy (water splitting, CO₂ reduction), and single nanoparticle electrochemistry. Bentley’s research innovatively combines scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) with correlative microscopy/spectroscopy to study structure-activity relationships in electrochemical materials. Key projects include nanoscale imaging of water-splitting electrodes and developing platforms to probe individual nanoparticles for battery materials. Research Outputs: Over 77 publications since 2013, with recent focus on SECCM advancements, electrocatalyst optimization, and nanoscale reaction imaging. His work addresses pressing challenges in renewable energy storage and nanomaterials. Awards: A.M. Bond Medal (2023), Early Career Analytical Electrochemistry Prize (ISE Division 1, 2020) Grants: ARC DECRA Fellowship, CSIRO collaboration (2023–2027) He supervises PhD students in nanoscale reaction imaging and single nanoparticle electrochemistry, requiring competitive scholarships for international candidates.
Christoph Müller is a Full Professor of Energy Science and Engineering at ETH Zürich's Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. He leads the Laboratory of Energy Science and Engineering, focusing on sustainable energy generation, heterogeneous catalysis, and granular systems. His research integrates experimental methods like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Discrete Element Modelling (DEM) with mathematical modeling to address industrial energy challenges. Education: Dipl.-Ing. from Technical University of Munich (2004), PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge (2008). Notable awards include the Danckwerts-Pergamon Prize (2009) and DAAD Scholarship (2005). He teaches courses such as Thermodynamics I and Thermo- and Fluid Dynamics. Research interests span CO₂ capture via chemical looping, catalytic hydrogenation, and granular flow dynamics. Recent work explores catalyst design for propane dehydrogenation, MXene-based ammonia synthesis, and MgO-based CO₂ sorbents. His lab employs advanced techniques like operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy to study catalyst behavior under reaction conditions. Key achievements include developing stable PtGa propane dehydrogenation catalysts and advancing understanding of Na₂CO₃-promoted CO₂ sorbents. His work on fluidized bed hydrodynamics via MRI contributes to reactor design optimization. Müller's interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental science and industrial application, addressing global energy sustainability challenges.
Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena is an Associate Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology , holding the Goizueta Early Career Faculty Chair in the School of Materials Science and Engineering. He leads the Materials for Solar Energy Harvesting and Conversion research initiative at the Institute for Materials (IMat) and Strategic Energy Institute, aiming to consolidate Georgia Tech's expertise in photovoltaics and interdisciplinary energy research. Education: PhD in Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut (2014) MS in Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut (2011) BS in Management and Engineering for Manufacturing, University of Connecticut (2008) His research focuses on the chemistry-structure-property relationships of low-cost semiconductors for optoelectronic applications. Key areas include halide perovskites , nanoscale control , and advanced deposition/characterization techniques . He develops atomic layer deposition and synchrotron-based imaging to address metastable material behavior. Recent publications highlight innovations in dimensional control , machine learning for thermal stability , and flexible photovoltaic devices . His work integrates materials synthesis , quantum phenomena , and industrial scalability . Scientific recognition: Highly Cited Researcher (Web of Science, 2019–2021) Nature Index Leading Early Career Researcher in Materials Science (2019) NSF, DoE, and industry-funded projects Students and team: He advises 14 graduate students and postdocs, including Sanggyun Kim, Diana LaFollette, and Leonardo Josué Lugo Salas, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through workshops and symposia.
Unni Olsbye is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oslo, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Her research focuses on catalytic processes in micro- and nanoporous materials, with particular emphasis on structure-composition-function correlations in catalytic reactions and mechanistic studies of product formation. She is affiliated with several research groups including the Catalysis Section, SMN (Center for Materials Science and Nanotechnology), ProfMOF A/S, and iCSI (industrial Catalysis, Science and Technology). Professor Olsbye's research interests center on heterogeneous catalysis, particularly examining how the chemical composition of catalytic sites, their immediate environment, and steric factors influence reaction rates and selectivity in porous materials. Her work spans zeolites, zeotypes, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for applications in CO 2 conversion, methane activation, methanol-to-hydrocarbons processes, and light alkane dehydrogenation. She investigates confinement effects in micro- and nanoporous materials, with processes studied including C-H activation, C-O activation, methane partial oxidation to methanol and syngas, methyl halide conversion, and ethene oxychlorination. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on energy-related catalysis for sustainability, particularly CO 2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, methane activation to methanol, and olefin production. Her work frequently employs copper-based catalysts in zeolites and MOFs, with increasing attention to bio-inspired catalytic systems. The research combines experimental approaches with advanced characterization techniques to understand reaction mechanisms at the molecular level. Professor Olsbye leads or participates in several significant research projects including BIZEOLCAT (bifunctional catalysts for alkane activation), CCU-NET (Nordic mobility network), CO 2 LO (CO 2 hydrogenation, TRL1-3), COZMOS (CO 2 hydrogenation, TRL3-5), CUBE (C-H activation, ERC Synergy), and ProfMOF (MOF scale-up and testing). These projects address critical challenges in catalysis for sustainable energy and chemical production. Her laboratory work focuses on advanced characterization of catalytic materials, particularly using in situ and operando techniques to monitor reactions as they occur. The research group collaborates extensively with experts in organic and inorganic synthesis, advanced spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations to develop a comprehensive understanding of catalytic processes in confined environments.
Sylvain Cristol is a Professor at the University of Lille within the Heterogeneous Catalysis department and the Modeling and Spectroscopy (MODSPEC) group. He teaches quantum chemistry, chemical bonding, statistical physics , and X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the university’s European Master’s program. PhD in Molecular and Organic Chemistry (1997-2000, Université de Provence) Postdoctoral work at Davy-Faraday Research Lab, Royal Institution of Great Britain (2000-2002) His research focuses on modeling hydrodesulfurization and hydrodeoxygenation catalysts for biomass valorization, supported by ANR-PNRB project ECOHDOC (with Caen, Poitiers, and TOTAL). He pioneered operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy for characterizing supported oxides (Mo/Re on alumina/anatase) via the ANR SAXO project (Paris VI, Grenoble, SOLEIL). Collaborative work with Francesco Mauri (Paris VI) advanced NMR parameter modeling in solids. Publications span DFT studies , XANES spectroscopy , and solid-state NMR applied to catalysis. Scientific awards include the UCCS Thesis Prize (highest honors) for his work on dibenzothiophene reactivity on molybdenum sulfide.
Ceri Hammond is a Senior Lecturer and Reader in Catalysis at Imperial College London's Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering. He leads the Hammond Lab, focusing on catalytic processes, biomedical engineering, and sustainable chemistry. His research integrates materials design, in situ spectroscopy, and reaction engineering. Key areas include biomass upgrading, C1 chemistry, and nanotechnology-driven cancer therapies. Education: PhD from Cardiff Catalysis Institute under Prof. Graham J. Hutchings. Postdoctoral work at ETH Zürich and Stanford University. Affiliations: Hammond Lab, Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering. Funding: Royal Society, Leverhulme Trust, RSC, EPSRC, and industry partners. Research Interests: Catalysis: Development of heterogeneous catalysts for biomass conversion, CO 2 methanation, and C1 chemistry. Innovations in catalyst stability and process intensification. Bio-medical Engineering: Nanoparticle-based targeted cancer therapies, leveraging expertise in nanotechnology. Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, with notable work on Sn-Beta catalysts, methane oxidation, and photocatalytic fluorination. Recent trends emphasize sustainable catalytic processes and biomedical applications. Awards: Harrison-Meldola Memorial Award, Royal Society University Research Fellowship. Lab Team: 1 PI, 2 PDRA, 7 PhD students, and undergraduate researchers. Labs/Teams: Hammond Lab at Imperial's South Kensington Campus, collaborating with multidisciplinary groups like the Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering.
Dr Ian Davidson is a Senior Research Fellow at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. He is a key researcher in the Hollow-Core Fibre group, focusing on advanced optical fibre fabrication, characterization, and application in photonic systems. His research interests include: Hollow-Core Fibre Technology Micro-Structured Optical Fibres Photonics and Quantum Optics Semiconductor Deposition and Integrated Optics Optical Fibre Sensing and Raman Spectroscopy Fibre-Based Gas Dynamics and Pressure Sensing Dr Davidson's recent publications (2022–2025) demonstrate a strong trend in developing next-generation hollow-core fibres with enhanced stability, reduced loss, and novel functionalities for applications in sensing, spectroscopy, and laser delivery. His work spans high-impact journals such as Science Advances , Optics Express , ACS Photonics , and IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics , reflecting his leadership in the field of optical fibre innovation. He currently supervises PhD students Elizaveta Elistratova and Abhishek Vijayakumar, contributing to training the next generation of photonics researchers. No scientific awards or prizes are currently listed in the provided text. Dr Davidson collaborates extensively within the ORC and with external partners on projects involving fibre fabrication, gas dynamics, and photonic device integration. He has no listed teaching responsibilities, but his research supervision plays a central role in academic mentorship. He is affiliated with advanced research infrastructure at the Optoelectronics Research Centre, a world-leading institute in photonics.
J. Tyler Mefford is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara , where he leads the Mefford Group. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering, materials science, and renewable energy technologies. Education : BS in Chemistry from Stanford University (2012), PhD in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin (2016). The Mefford Group develops redox-active polymers and inorganic electrode materials for applications in electrochemical energy conversion , storage , and chemical separations . Their work integrates material design , operando spectroscopy , microscopy , and computational modeling to study charge transfer at electrified interfaces. Recent publications highlight advancements in aqueous battery technology , bifunctional electrocatalysis , and mixed-conducting polymer electrodes . The group emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and diversity in research environments. Scientific Awards : 2020 Best In-situ and Operando Characterization Presentation Award, MRS 2016 Excellence in Renewable & Clean Energy Research Award, UT Energy Institute 2016 Nano Portfolio Presentation Award, University of Texas at Austin
