Irene Taurino is an Assistant Professor (tenure track) in the Faculty of Engineering Science at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT). She leads the Laboratory of Electrochemical Materials and Bio Interfaces (eMATI), focusing on nano- and microtechnologies for biomedical applications. Her work emphasizes developing advanced electrochemical systems for therapeutic and sensing purposes, including biodegradable platforms and stretchable substrates. Research Interests: Electrochemistry, Nanotechnology, (Bio)sensing, Drug delivery, Bimetals/Metal Oxides, and Smart materials. Projects include HumiPlast (plant transpiration sensors), QuantPAH (firefighter health monitoring), and TALENT (thin-film deposition technologies). She holds leadership roles in Leuven One Health, LIMNI, and the Plant Institute. Advising & Grants: Promotes/Co-promotes 10+ projects on biosensors, CO2 electroreduction, and smart farming. Key roles in funding initiatives like EU Horizon and industry partnerships. Labs/Teams: Heads eMATI, fostering interdisciplinary research in bioelectronics and soft materials. Emphasizes creativity and translational research from fundamental science to practical applications.
Robert J. Hamers is a Professor of Chemistry and the Steenbock Professor of Physical Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison . He serves as the Director of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology , a multi-institutional collaboration, and is a Senior Editor for Accounts of Chemical Research . Additionally, he co-founded the startup Silatronix, Inc. and leads the ACS/UW-Madison Bridge to the Chemistry Doctorate Program . B.S. in Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison (1980) Ph.D. in Chemistry, Cornell University (1986) Hamers' research focuses on surface chemistry, nanotechnology, and renewable energy , with specific interests in electrochemical energy storage, photoelectron emission mechanisms, and environmental impacts of nanomaterials . His group develops ultra-stable surface chemistries for energy devices and investigates charge-transfer processes at material interfaces . Recent publications highlight advances in diamond-based materials , organosilicon electrolyte additives , and environmental fate of nanomaterials . Scientific recognitions include the Wisconsin Distinguished Professor title. His work bridges fundamental surface science with applied technologies through collaborations with academic institutions, national laboratories, and industry partners like Dow Chemical . The Hamers Group actively trains graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in multidisciplinary approaches.
Catherine Pinel is a Research Director (DR2) at the Institute for Research on Catalysis and Environment of Lyon (IRCELYON, UMR 5256), a joint research unit of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Claude Bernard University Lyon 1. She has held this senior research position since October 2008, following progression from CR1 (1998-2008) and CR2 (1994-1998) roles at the same institution. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral research at Cambridge University (1992-1993) under Professor S.V. Ley and with Professor M. Lemaire (1993-1994). Her educational foundation includes: Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie in Chemistry from Paris XI University (1986) Engineering Degree from École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris (1989) Advanced Studies Diploma in Organic Chemistry from Paris VI University (1989) PhD in Organic Chemistry from Paris VI University (1992) on chiral ruthenium complexes and enantioselective reductions Habilitation à diriger des recherches from Lyon I University (1999) on catalysis and fine chemistry Dr. Pinel's research pioneers sustainable catalytic processes with emphasis on biomass valorization, green chemistry, and heterogeneous catalysis. Her work bridges fundamental catalyst design with industrial applications, particularly in hydrogenation, oxidation, and biorefinery processes. Current focus areas include catalytic conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules (glucose, succinic acid, polyols), development of bimetallic catalysts, and valorization of hemicellulose streams. Her approach integrates advanced catalyst characterization with reaction engineering to create environmentally benign chemical transformations. Analysis of her recent publication trajectory (2019-2025) reveals evolving expertise from fundamental organometallic chemistry toward applied sustainable catalysis. Key trends include increasing focus on biomass-derived feedstocks (glucose, succinic acid, polyols), development of metal-carbide/nitride catalysts, and optimization of aqueous-phase reactions for industrial biorefineries. Her work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration across catalysis, materials science, and green chemistry, with growing emphasis on circular economy principles and renewable chemical production. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the source materials. Dr. Pinel actively contributes to academic training through graduate instruction at University of Lyon (Master 2 'Catalysis and Physical Chemistry' since 2007) and University of Savoie (M2 courses in New Catalysts in Organic Chemistry since 1999 and Coordination Chemistry since 2012). While specific grant details aren't provided, her extensive publication record across high-impact journals indicates sustained research funding. She maintains collaborative networks within IRCELYON and internationally, particularly in biomass conversion and catalyst characterization. As a core researcher at IRCELYON (celebrating 60 years of catalysis research in 2021), she operates within a world-class facility housing specialized equipment for catalyst synthesis, characterization (including in situ techniques), and testing. Her work aligns with the institute's focus on sustainable catalysis for energy transition, air/water depollution, and biomass valorization, contributing to France's strategic research priorities in green chemistry.
Prof. Dr. Oliver Reiser is a full Professor at the Institute of Organic Chemistry within the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Regensburg. His research group focuses on cutting-edge developments in organic synthesis, particularly in the areas of photocatalysis and visible light chemistry. He leads the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 325 on "Assembly Controlled Chemical Photocatalysis," which aims to develop new frontiers in photocatalysis for organic synthesis through designed control of catalyst-substrate interactions. University of Hamburg (PhD, 1989) IBM Research Center (Postdoc) Harvard University (Postdoc) University of Göttingen (Habilitation, 1995) Prof. Reiser's research spans multiple interconnected fields with a strong emphasis on sustainable chemistry. His group extensively utilizes modern techniques for organic synthesis including flow reactors, microwaves, and high-pressure systems. The primary research thrusts include catalysis (both metal and organocatalysts), unnatural amino acids and peptide foldamers, and natural product synthesis. His work on visible light photocatalysis has been particularly influential, with numerous publications in high-impact journals like Angewandte Chemie and Nature Catalysis. The group's research integrates experimental, spectroscopic, and computational techniques to analyze catalyst-substrate interactions for more rational design of photochemical reactions. Analysis of Prof. Reiser's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on copper-based photocatalysis, sustainable chemistry using earth-abundant metals, and innovative approaches to heterocycle synthesis. His work demonstrates a clear trend toward developing more efficient and environmentally friendly catalytic processes, with particular emphasis on visible light activation, catalyst immobilization for recyclability, and applications in medicinal chemistry. The research spans from fundamental mechanistic studies to practical applications in synthesis. German Academic Scholarship Foundation Minerva Foundation NATO Fellowship German Research Foundation Support Karl Winnacker Foundation Prof. Reiser has supervised numerous doctoral students, with recent PhD theses focusing on copper photoredox catalysis, magnetic nanoparticle-supported catalysts, and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. His research is supported by multiple collaborative projects, including the Collaborative Research Centre CRC 325, and involves extensive national and international collaborations with institutions such as the University of Kansas, the National Institute of Chemistry in Pune, the Institut Chimie de Coordination du CNRS in Toulouse, and the University of Zaragoza. The group maintains strong ties with pharmaceutical research through collaborations with Prof. A. Beck-Sickinger in Leipzig on neuropeptide ligands. The research group operates well-equipped laboratories with capabilities for advanced organic synthesis and characterization. They have developed specialized expertise in flow chemistry, high-pressure techniques, and magnetic nanoparticle-based catalyst systems. The CRC 325 initiative has provided significant infrastructure for collaborative research in photocatalysis, bringing together multiple research groups with complementary expertise in organic synthesis, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry.
Prof. Dr. Peter Strasser is a faculty member at the Technische Universität Berlin , affiliated with the Institute of Chemistry and leading the Electrochemical Catalysis, Energy and Materials Sciences Group within the Faculty II - Mathematics and Natural Sciences . His research spans electrocatalysis , fuel cell technology , and high-throughput materials testing , with a focus on nanostructured catalysts for clean energy systems. Research Interests : High Throughput Testing Fuel Cells Electrocatalysis Electrochemical Materials Water Splitting CO2 Conversion Scientific Contributions highlight trends in oxygen evolution reactions , dealloyed catalysts , and non-noble metal electrocatalysts . His work bridges materials science and energy storage , particularly for hydrogen fuel cells and magnesium batteries . Awards : Otto Roelen Medal 2016 Advising notable researchers like former PhD student Mehtap Özaslan , who established a junior research group at the University of Oldenburg and won the Umicore Scientific Award. Prof. Strasser's team collaborates with UniSysCat and has secured funding from the Federal Ministry of Research for catalyst innovation.
Kumar Varoon Agrawal is an Associate Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), holding the Gaznat Chair for Advanced Separations. He is affiliated with the School of Basic Sciences (SB), the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), and the Laboratory of Advanced Separations (LAS) in Sion, Switzerland. Additionally, he contributes to the Swiss Doctoral School in Chemical and Bioengineering (SCGC) and serves as Vice President of the Confédération des Chimistes et des Génie Chimique (CCE). Research Focus: Material Chemistry & Engineering at the Ångström scale for high-performance inorganic and hybrid membranes, emphasizing energy-efficient molecular separations. Teaching: Courses include Fundamentals of separation processes , Diffusion and mass transfer , and Chemical engineering product design . Scientific Contributions: His 15 most recent publications (2025-2020) span topics like graphene pore engineering , 2D material synthesis , carbon capture , and gas separation membranes , with keywords such as Nanotechnology , Materials Science , and Molecular Transport . Subfields include Atomic-Scale Pores , Membrane Stability , and Industrial Scalability . Students and Collaborations: He advises 10 current PhD students and has mentored 9 past PhD candidates in areas like graphene membranes , ion separation , and MOF films . He is an Academic Referent for the EPFL Carbon Team and a committee member for the EDCH Doctoral Program in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Xiaolei Fan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Manchester. He holds a BEng in Environmental Engineering from Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology (2003), an MRes in Chemical Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology (2006), and a PhD in Continuous Flow Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Bath (2010). His research focuses on nonthermal plasma catalysis, CO2 conversion, catalytic biorefinery, and zeolite-based catalysts. He has contributed to over 180 publications, supervised 20+ students, and led projects like the EU-funded SPACING initiative for biofuel production. Research interests include porous materials, reaction engineering, and process intensification through structured reactors/catalysts. He chairs the RSC Heterogeneous Catalysis committee and has organized conferences like the International Conference on Environmental Catalysis. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean energy and sustainable chemistry. Education: BEng (Environmental Engineering), Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, 2003 MRes (Chemical Engineering), East China University of Science and Technology, 2006 PhD (Chemical Engineering), University of Bath, 2010 Awards: Lee Hsun Lecture Award (2018) Zhenxing Scholar Professor Award (2018) Outstanding Achievement Recognition (2018) Grants/Projects: SPACING: Sustainable Production of ACrylic Acid from Renewable Waste Glycerol (2021–2024) Labs/Teams: Catalysis and Porous Materials Group at The University of Manchester
Dr. Robert O’Connor is an Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University (DCU) , specializing in interface chemistry and thin film characterization. His work bridges semiconductor physics and energy harvesting technologies , with a focus on materials like high-κ dielectrics and III-V substrates. BSc in Applied Physics (2001), DCU PhD in Semiconductor Physics (2005), DCU His research employs X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) to study material interfaces in devices such as MOSFETs and photoelectrochemical systems . He leads a 4-year SFI-funded project on solar water splitting for hydrogen fuel and collaborates with Trinity College Dublin (SPOKE project) and IMEC, Belgium on area-selective deposition techniques. His lab utilizes a state-of-the-art integrated ALD-XPS tool . His scientific awards include the Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship , Irish Research Council EMBARK Fellowship , and SFI TIDA Award . Publications span high-κ dielectrics , self-assembled monolayers , and block copolymer lithography , with recent work on graphene oxide heterostructures and recyclability in additive manufacturing . He supervises 5 postgraduate students and teaches modules like Final Year Project (PS451) and Solid State Physics I (PS204) . Collaborations include institutions such as IMEC and Trinity College Dublin , with tools like the integrated ALD-XPS system at DCU.
Mohammadreza Karamad is an Assistant Professor in the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU), with a joint appointment in the Sustainable Energy Engineering department. His research focuses on computational materials discovery, leveraging quantum-mechanical methods (e.g., DFT) and machine learning (ML) to design advanced energy materials for clean technologies like hydrogen storage and catalysis. He holds a Ph.D. from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and completed postdoctoral research at Stanford University. His academic background includes leadership roles in the CMD Lab (Computational Materials Discovery), where he explores novel materials for electrochemical energy conversion processes. Key research areas include electrochemistry, heterogeneous catalysis, and material science, with a particular emphasis on CO2 reduction, ammonia synthesis, and sustainable energy storage solutions. Dr. Karamad collaborates with industry and academic partners to advance materials discovery through high-throughput computational screening and AI-driven approaches. He actively seeks motivated students (undergraduate and graduate) to join his research program, focusing on developing next-generation energy materials. His lab is located in room B8220, and he can be reached at mkaramad@sfu.ca. Notable technical contributions include pioneering work on transition metal nitrides for CO2 reduction, single-atom catalysts for ammonia synthesis, and machine learning frameworks for predicting material properties. His research bridges fundamental theory with practical applications, addressing global challenges in sustainable energy and environmental technology.
Professor Guoxiu Wang is a Distinguished Professor and Industry Laureate Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), leading the Centre for Clean Energy Technology. His expertise spans battery technologies, materials chemistry, and electrochemistry, with a focus on lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and other advanced energy storage systems. He holds prestigious fellowships, including from the Royal Society of Chemistry and the European Academy of Sciences. His research has been recognized through numerous awards, including being listed as a Highly Cited Researcher since 2018. Research Interests: Professor Wang’s work addresses challenges in energy storage through innovative materials design, including electrode materials for sodium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries, MXenes, and electrolyte development. His team explores strategies to enhance battery performance, such as heterostructure engineering and defect-rich catalysts. Publications & Impact: With over 750 refereed papers, including in Nature Energy , Advanced Materials , and Angewandte Chemie , his work has garnered >78,000 citations (H-index 153/165). Recent trends focus on sodium-ion battery materials, MXene-based capacitors, and sustainable energy solutions like osmotic energy harvesting. Awards & Leadership: Awards include Fellowships from the Royal Society of Chemistry (2017), International Society of Electrochemistry (2018), and European Academy of Sciences (2020). He serves as an Associate Editor for Energy Storage Materials and Electrochemical Energy Reviews , and leads international collaborations, including a Royal Society Wolfson Visiting Fellowship at the University of Manchester (2024–2026). Grants & Supervision: Secured significant external grants, with active supervision of PhD/Masters students in battery technologies. His labs prioritize sustainable energy solutions and advanced material synthesis. Labs & Teams: Directs the Centre for Clean Energy Technology, fostering interdisciplinary research to advance clean energy technologies, from novel battery designs to electrochemical catalysts for CO2 and nitrate conversion.
Christopher J. Chang is the Edward and Virginia Taylor Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry at Princeton University's Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on chemical biology, catalysis, and inorganic chemistry, with an emphasis on transition metal signaling, activity-based sensing, and drug discovery. He leads the Chang Lab, which develops innovative chemical tools to study metal-dependent biological processes, including copper's role in neurobiology and cancer, formaldehyde's role in epigenetic regulation, and redox-driven protein function. His work integrates organic, inorganic, and biological chemistry, enabling discoveries in imaging, proteomics, and precision medicine. Notable achievements include pioneering activity-based sensing platforms for copper and reactive metabolites, revealing metalloplasia in cancer, and developing copper-specific therapies. Christopher Chang has received over 50 prestigious awards, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigatorship. His lab's infrastructure includes advanced analytical instruments, synthetic chemistry facilities, and cell culture capabilities, supported by grants from NIH, NSF, and industry partnerships. Awards: ACS Bader Award (2024), Ivano Bertini Award (2022), Blavatnik National Award (2015) Lab Focus Areas: Transition metal signaling, copper-dependent biology, formaldehyde metabolism, redox drug discovery Key Technologies: Activity-based sensors, imaging probes, bioconjugation methods
Professor Stefan Goedecker is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, Faculty of Science. He holds the position of Professor of Computational Physics and leads an active research group focused on developing advanced computational methods for materials science and quantum physics. Dr. Goedecker received his physics education at the Technical University Munich and the College of William and Mary, followed by a Ph.D. from EPFL Lausanne. His postdoctoral training included positions at Cornell University and the Max-Planck Institute in Stuttgart. In 2003, he was appointed Professor of Computational Physics at the University of Basel, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in computational methods development. His research interests center on computational physics with emphasis on electronic structure calculations, atomistic simulations, and the development of novel algorithms for materials science applications. His work has strong interdisciplinary connections spanning physics, mathematics, material sciences, chemistry, and computer science. Current research directions include machine learning applications in catalysis, fourth-generation neural network potentials for molecular chemistry, and methods for quantifying material synthesizability. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on advancing computational methods for electronic structure calculations, with particular emphasis on machine learning potentials, molecular dynamics optimization, and accurate modeling of material properties. His work bridges theoretical physics with practical applications in materials science and nanotechnology, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence techniques into traditional computational physics frameworks. Machine learning for Catalysis (Ongoing) Fourth-Generation Neural Network Potentials for Molecular Chemistry (Completed) Towards Quantifying the Synthesizability of Materials (Completed) Professor Goedecker's research group operates within the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, which is part of the NCCR SPIN initiative focused on silicon-based quantum computing development. The department hosts over 20 research groups with more than 180 teaching staff members, creating a vibrant research environment for computational physics and quantum technologies.
Asst. Prof. OU Pengfei is an Assistant Professor and NUS Presidential Young Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore, Faculty of Science. He leads the AI for Chemistry (AI4Chem) research group, focusing on computational catalysis, machine learning, and materials science. Previously, he was a Research Associate at Northwestern University and a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto under Prof. Edward H. Sargent, and earned his Ph.D. from McGill University. Education: Ph.D., McGill University, 2020 M.Eng., Central South University, 2015 B.Eng., Central South University, 2012 Research interests include catalyst design for electrochemical reactions using ab initio DFT, molecular dynamics simulations, and AI-driven methods. He develops dynamic simulations of chemical processes under reaction conditions and machine learning tools for accelerated catalyst discovery. His work addresses challenges in energy and environmental applications such as CO2 reduction and hydrogen evolution. Notable awards include the NUS Presidential Young Professorship (2024), Climate Positive Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021), and Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad (2020). Labs/Teams: The AI4Chem group integrates theory-guided and data-driven approaches to advance computational catalysis, with three core research directions: (1) reaction mechanism exploration and catalyst optimization, (2) dynamic structure-performance relationships under reaction conditions, and (3) machine learning algorithms for high-throughput screening.
YEO Boon Siang, Jason is an Associate Professor and Deputy Head (Education) in the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore (NUS). His research focuses on developing advanced materials for sustainable energy conversion, particularly in CO 2 reduction and water splitting, using cutting-edge analytical techniques like operando spectroscopy. He holds a Dr. Sc. from ETH Zürich and a postdoc fellowship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Education: Dr. Sc., ETH Zürich (2005-2009) M.Sc., National University of Singapore (2004) B.Sc. (Hons) First Class, National University of Singapore (2001) Research interests emphasize designing robust catalysts for energy-efficient CO 2 conversion to fuels and chemicals, with a focus on understanding reaction mechanisms at the atomic level. Recent work includes breakthroughs in acetylene-to-1,3-butadiene electroreduction and carbonate-to-formate conversions. Teaching contributions in AY2024/2025 include CM5244 Advanced Environmental Chemistry. He has received multiple teaching awards, including the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (2013-2020) and the Annual Excellence Teaching Award (2014/2015). Key achievements include over 10 high-impact publications in Nature Catalysis , J. Am. Chem. Soc. , and Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. , focusing on electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction and material design.
Prof. Paul Wright is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of St Andrews, leading the Physical Chemistry Teaching program. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and has held roles at Shell R&D, the Royal Institution, and St Andrews since 1994. His research focuses on nanoporous solids, including zeolites and MOFs, with applications in catalysis and carbon capture. He has pioneered methods for synthesizing novel materials and pioneered synchrotron-based structural analysis techniques. Awards include the RSC/SCI Barrer Prize and ICI Readership. He supervises PhD students in advanced materials and catalysis, and teaches courses in thermodynamics, kinetics, and heterogeneous catalysis. Education: PhD in Chemistry, University of Cambridge (1986) Research Interests: Prof. Wright’s work spans five core areas: (1) Designing zeolite templates for novel structures, (2) Developing MOFs with unique properties, (3) Optimizing zeolites/MOFs for CO₂ adsorption, (4) Investigating catalytic applications of microporous solids, and (5) Advanced structural characterization using synchrotron techniques. Recent breakthroughs include understanding ‘sentinel’ cations in zeolites for selective adsorption and developing tandem catalysts combining MOFs with metal nanoparticles. Publications Trends: His articles emphasize structure-property relationships in porous materials, with 2011–2015 papers focusing on scandium-based frameworks, CO₂ capture mechanisms, and catalytic performance of SAPOs and MOFs. Collaborations with institutions like Edinburgh University and European projects highlight applied energy solutions. Awards: RSC/SCI Barrer Prize (1999) ICI Readership (2002–2004) Teaching & Grants: Leads Physical Chemistry courses at all levels, including a 5th-year Masters course in Heterogeneous Catalysis. Active in placement student monitoring via CH4441. Grants include European projects on mixed matrix membranes for CO₂ separation. Labs/Teams: Heads a research group investigating nanoporous solids, collaborating with institutions like Aberdeen University on synchrotron-based catalysis studies.
