Pierre D. Harvey

Pierre D. Harvey is Professor of Chemistry at the Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, where he leads an internationally recognized research program in functional materials, photochemistry, and metal-organic frameworks. He has held prestigious visiting appointments at the University of Tokyo, Université de Franche-Comté, and other leading institutions worldwide. His work bridges fundamental photophysics with urgent applications in solar-energy conversion, environmental remediation, and sustainable agriculture.

Education

• Ph.D. (1985) – McGill University
• M.Sc. (1983) – Université de Montréal, thesis on “Spectroscopie et photophysique moléculaire de plusieurs dérivés substitués du carbazole”
• B.Sc. (1981) – Université de Montréal
• Postdoctoral Fellow (1988) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Postdoctoral Fellow (1988) – California Institute of Technology

Research Interests

Professor Harvey’s research centers on the design, synthesis, and photophysical characterization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), porphyrin-based coordination polymers, and organic semiconducting polymers. By integrating advanced spectroscopy with materials engineering, his group develops new platforms for:

• high-efficiency organic and indoor photovoltaics;
• photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and toxic metals in wastewater;
• antimicrobial and antifungal nanomaterials for sustainable agriculture;
• singlet-oxygen photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy and environmental applications.

Recent work exploits the unique host–guest chemistry of porphyrinic MOFs to deliver antiviral and antifungal RNA-based biopesticides, positioning the group at the intersection of materials science and global food security.

Publication Trends

Across more than 40 peer-reviewed articles since 2019, Harvey’s group demonstrates a clear trajectory toward multifunctional MOFs and tailored π-conjugated systems. Studies in 2024 alone reveal intensified efforts in solar-energy materials, environmental remediation, and antimicrobial technologies, frequently combining advanced spectroscopic insight with device-level performance validation.

Scientific Awards & Distinctions

• Invited Professor, Université de Franche-Comté (2019)
• Guest Professor, University of Tokyo & Science University of Tokyo (2019)
• Guest Professor, Université de Caen (2019)
• Guest Professor, Université de Strasbourg I – Louis Pasteur (2015)

Grants & Collaborative Funding

Harvey has secured continuous major funding exceeding C$14 million since 2012. Current awards include:

• Principal Investigator, FQRNT–RQRAD “MOFs as alternatives to synthetic pesticides”, C$750 k (2023–2026)
• Principal Investigator, NSERC Discovery “High-performance near-IR-active MOFs with organic dyes”, C$240 k (2019–2024)
• Co-Investigator, CQMF-CQAC Centre québécois sur les matériaux fonctionnels, C$5 M (2024–2027)
• Principal Investigator, CFI–PYRIDINE infrastructure project, C$6.7 M (2021–2022)
• Multiple Mitacs & institutional grants for student mobility and industry collaboration.

Laboratory & Research Team

Professor Harvey directs the Centre d’étude des matériaux et des procédés verts de l’Université de Sherbrooke (CÉMAPROVUS), an interdisciplinary research center recognized by the university in 2022. The team comprises graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and international collaborators working at the interface of synthetic chemistry, advanced spectroscopy, and device engineering.