Giovanni Palmisano

Prof. Giovanni Palmisano serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering at Khalifa University's College of Engineering. He joined the institution in 2014 following the merger of Masdar Institute into Khalifa University. Currently, he holds the position of Deputy Director and Theme Lead at the Research and Innovation Center on CO2 and Hydrogen (RICH) and serves as Executive Editor for the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (Elsevier) since 2022.

His academic qualifications include:

• Ph.D. in Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy
• Laurea (summa cum laude) in Chemical Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy

Prof. Palmisano's research is centered on photocatalysis for sustainable energy and environmental applications. His work encompasses:

• Development of photocatalytic systems for water treatment and pollutant remediation
• Hydrogen production from waste materials using TiO2-based heterojunctions
• CO2 reduction via photocatalytic and supercritical methods
• Design of multi-functional coatings and electrodes for energy storage (e.g., vanadium flow batteries)

His contributions have been recognized with several prestigious awards:

• ADEK Award for Research Excellence (awarded twice)
• Khalifa University Faculty Research Excellence Award (2018, Associate Professor category)
• Inclusion in Stanford University's World's Top Scientists ranking
• Appointment as Member of the Mohammed bin Rashid Academy of Scientists (Engineering & Technology, 2021)

Prof. Palmisano has mentored 9 Ph.D. and 5 M.Sc. students, with one student receiving an outstanding thesis award. His research program is supported by multiple grants, including projects funded by DEWA R&D on vanadium flow battery electrodes and photocatalytic systems for water and energy applications. He actively serves on conference committees and as a reviewer for national science foundations.

As Deputy Director of RICH, he leads a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing CO2 capture and hydrogen production technologies, fostering collaborations with industry partners to drive innovation in clean energy.