Marc Fontecave

Marc Fontecave is a French chemist and Professor at the Collège de France in Paris, holding the Chair of Chemistry of Biological Processes since 2008–2009 while directing the Laboratory of Chemistry of Biological Processes. Elected to the French Academy of Sciences (2005) and Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (2019), his work bridges fundamental research with industrial applications in energy and environmental sectors.

Education:

• Graduate of École normale supérieure de l'enseignement technique (now École normale supérieure Paris-Saclay)
• Doctorate in Science

Research Interests: Fontecave specializes in bioinorganic chemistry, focusing on metalloprotein metal-center structure/reactivity. His research drives innovations in selective catalysts for green chemistry, hydrogen production systems, carbon dioxide conversion technologies, bioremediation methods, and therapeutic agents including anti-cancer compounds and antioxidants. This interdisciplinary work addresses critical energy and environmental challenges through molecular-level insights.

Scientific Awards:

• Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur (2015)
• Achille-Le-Bel Grand Prize of the Société Chimique de France (2011)
• Chevalier of the Ordre National du Mérite (2010)
• Sir Raman Chair of the Indian Academy of Sciences (2009)
• Member of the French Academy of Sciences (2005)
• Senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (2005)
• CNRS Silver Medal (2004)
• Policart-Lacassagne Prize of the French Academy of Sciences (1996)
• Junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France (1991-1996)

Leadership and Advisory Roles: As chair of Fondation du Collège de France and scientific council member at EDF, Fontecave shapes research funding and energy policy. His public interventions advocate for nuclear energy expansion to reduce CO₂ emissions, critique premature renewable transitions, and promote streamlined research evaluation systems emphasizing post-hoc risk assessment.

Laboratory: His Collège de France laboratory pioneers bioinspired approaches for sustainable energy solutions, notably developing platinum-free hydrogen production systems and battery-recycling technologies highlighted in Le Monde publications.