Johannes A. Lercher

Johannes A. Lercher is a full Professor of Chemistry at the Technische Universität München (TUM) since 1998 and Director of the Institute for Integrated Catalysis at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, USA. He also holds the title of Battelle Fellow at PNNL and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis.

Education

• Diplom Ingenieur (summa cum laude), Technische Universität Wien, 1978
• Dr. techn. (summa cum laude), Technische Universität Wien, 1980
• Postdoctoral researcher, Yale University, 1982
• Venia docendi (Habilitation), Technische Universität Wien, 1985

Research Interests

Prof. Lercher’s research focuses on fundamental and applied aspects of heterogeneous catalysis. His team elucidates elementary reaction steps on solid catalyst surfaces using advanced in-situ spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, solid-state NMR, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Major themes include the catalytic valorization of biomass, selective methane functionalization, hydrocarbon processing over zeolites and mesoporous materials, and the design of hierarchically structured catalysts that combine shape selectivity with optimized transport properties.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• Alwin-Mittasch-Preis (2021)
• David Trimm and Noel Cant Lectureship Award (2017)
• ENI Award for Hydrocarbons (2016)
• R. B. Anderson Award (2015/2016)
• Kozo Tanabe Award for Acid Base Catalysis (2013)
• Francois Gault Lectureship
• Robert Burwell Lectureship (North American Catalysis Society)
• Elected Member: Austrian Academy of Sciences, Academia Europaea, European Academy of Sciences
• Honorary Professor: Chinese Academy of Sciences institutes (Dalian, Qingdao) and China University of Petroleum

Leadership & Service

Prof. Lercher has held numerous leadership roles including Dean of the Chemistry Department at TUM (2000–2003), Member of the TUM Senate (2003–2007), President of the International Zeolite Association (2001–2004), and current President of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Catalysis and serves on the editorial boards of multiple catalysis journals.