Rik Mom

Rik Mom is an Assistant Professor at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, specializing in operando research of electrochemical reactions at the electrode-electrolyte interface. His work focuses on understanding atomic-scale structural features influencing catalytic performance in sustainable energy technologies like fuel cells and electrolyzers. Mom holds a PhD from Leiden University (2017) and completed postdoctoral research at the Fritz Haber Institute (2017–2020), supported by an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship. He leads a research group with 4 PhD students and 1 postdoctoral fellow, supervising studies on electrocatalyst design and advanced spectroscopic techniques.

• Education:
• PhD in Physics (cum laude), Leiden University (2013–2017)
• MSc Chemistry (cum laude), Leiden University (2010–2013)

His research integrates instrument design with catalysis studies, emphasizing operando X-ray and Raman spectroscopy. Key contributions include elucidating oxygen evolution reaction mechanisms and developing electrochemical cells for synchrotron-based analysis. He has secured major grants totaling over €1 million, including the NWO Tenure Track grant (2020) and ECCM MVI Top-Up grant (2021).

Teaching responsibilities include courses on physical chemistry, green chemistry, and advanced spectroscopy methods for graduate students. Mom is actively involved in organizing symposia on operando techniques and serves on the scientific advisory board of Operando Photoemission at MESA+.