Gianfranco Pacchioni

Gianfranco Pacchioni is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science at the University of Milano-Bicocca, where he serves as Vice-Director and Director of the Solar Energy Research Center. His academic journey includes a degree in Chemistry from the University of Milano (1978) and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Freie Universität Berlin (1984). He has held visiting positions globally, including at IBM Almaden Research Center, Technical University of Munich, and multiple European universities.

His research integrates theoretical and experimental approaches to study:

• Surface science and defect chemistry in oxides
• Catalytic properties of metal nanoparticles
• Photocatalysis for energy conversion
• Spectroscopic characterization of materials

He has received significant recognition, including:

• Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship (1993)
• Gold Medal 'Raffaello Nasini' (1994)
• Humboldt Research Award (2005)
• Election to the European Academy of Sciences (2009)

As Chairman of the European Research Council's Panel PE5 and coordinator of a PhD program, he actively shapes research policy and academic training. He leads the Solar Energy Research Center, focusing on sustainable material innovations.