Itamar Willner

Itamar Willner is a distinguished Israeli chemist and Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who holds significant affiliations with the East China University of Science and Technology. He was appointed as an Honorary Professor in 2007, co-established the Ministry of Education's Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation in Structurally Controlled Molecular Engineering in 2017 as international director, and was appointed an "Internationally Renowned Master Visiting Professor" in 2022. He is a Foreign Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (elected 2021), member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities (2002), European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2004), and German National Academy of Sciences (2009).

Professor Willner's research spans supramolecular chemistry, nanomaterials, and biomaterials, with specific focus on DNA chemical biology and optoelectronic biosensing. His pioneering work includes the construction of bio/nanofunctional self-assembly systems such as DNA molecular machines and logic gates, development of bio-nanocatalytic methods, and the innovative concept of "nucleic acid aptamers" that enhances enzyme-mimicking catalysis. His recent development of "DNA dynamic networks" provides a powerful platform for studying non-equilibrium biomolecular assembly, while his work on artificial photosynthesis systems explores novel energy dissipation mechanisms.

His extensive publication record includes over 850 SCI-indexed papers in journals like Nature and Science, with more than 89,000 citations and an H-index of 142. His research has led to significant applications in molecular-supramolecular electronics, intelligent responsive materials, controllable functional interfaces, and optoelectronic/bioelectronic assembly systems, driving innovations in photo/electrochemical probes, drug delivery systems, and molecular machines.

His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

• Israel Prize in Chemistry
• Rothschild Prize
• EMET Award (awarded by the Prime Minister of Israel)
• Israel Chemical Society Gold Medal

Professor Willner has served on the editorial boards of nearly 20 major academic journals including JACS, ACIE, Nano Letters, ACS Nano, Small, and ChemPhysChem. His collaborative work with Chinese scholars through the Ministry of Education's Joint Laboratory has established a significant hub for basic research, talent development, and international collaboration in precision chemistry and molecular engineering, bringing together top scientists from China and abroad.