François Jérôme is a catalysis specialist at the forefront of developments in sustainable chemistry, where using biomass is a strategic focus. His work is based on the use of physical agents (electric fields, shock waves, ultrasound waves) to trigger reactions that transform plant sugar into chemicals: surfactants, solvents, monomers, and more – and in doing so, avoids relying on chemical activation.

To accelerate the introduction of innovative products to the market, François Jérôme has been working with the Solvay Group since 2014, and also with SMEs such as ARD, the FCBA and Seprosys. As a sign of how robust the connection with Solvay is, since 2019, his team1 has been the “mirror site” for the international CNRS-Solvay Catalysis Laboratory, located in Shanghai (China). As he puts it, “To develop sustainable chemistry we must build strong links between scientists, the chemical industry and society”. To contribute to that, François Jérôme created the CNRS research federation “Increase” in 2015. It brings together eight laboratories and many manufacturers. François Jérôme also initiated the International Symposium on Green Chemistry, which has become an international conference of note.

Prof. Bert Weckhuysen is recognized as a pioneering figure in operando spectroscopy for catalysis, having established a global research program that visualizes catalysts under working conditions using a wide array of advanced spectroscopic techniques. His work has profoundly impacted numerous catalytic processes, such as methanol conversion or CO₂ hydrogenation, and more recently, electro- and photo-catalysis. By innovatively combining multiple in-situ methods—including SERS, TERS, SHINERS, and nanoscale sensors—his team has revealed unprecedented molecular and structural insights into heterogeneous catalysts.

Beyond research, he has led major scientific initiatives, held key advisory roles, and earned numerous prestigious awards, including the knighthood in the Order of the Dutch Lion. His mentorship and service to the catalysis community further underscore his scientific leadership, making him an exemplary and fitting recipient of the 2025 Michel Boudart Award. Prof.

Bert Weckhuysen received his Master degree in Chemical and Agricultural Engineering with greatest distinction from Leuven University (KULeuven, Belgium) in 1991. After obtaining his PhD degree in the field of Surface Chemistry, Spectroscopy and Catalysis from Leuven University (KU Leuven, Belgium) with honours (highest degree) in 1995 under the supervision of Prof. Robert Schoonheydt, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Israel Wachs at Lehigh University (PA, USA) and with Prof. Jack Lunsford at Texas A&M University (TX, USA). From 1997 until 2000 he was a research fellow of the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (NFWO, currently FWO-Flanders), affiliated with Leuven University (KU Leuven, Belgium).

Weckhuysen is since October 1 2000 Full Professor at Utrecht University (The Netherlands). Weckhuysen has been appointed as first Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University as of September 2012. Since January 2018 he has been promoted to Distinguished University Professor at Utrecht University. He was a visiting professor at Leuven University (KU Leuven, 2000-2005) and has done a sabbatical at Stanford University (USA) in 2012 and at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) in 2022. He has also been a visiting professor at Stanford University & SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (2013-2018) and at University College London (UK, 2014-2017).

Grunwaldt's group's research areas range from preparation, testing to in-depth characterization of catalysts and electrocatalysts. Applications embrace emission control, chemical energy storage, power-to-X processes, the use of renewable resources, selective oxidation reactions, and fine chemistry using innovative solvents. Rational design using especially in situ & operando characterization and high-output testing are be combined.

Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt graduated in Chemistry (1993) at Hamburg University and got his Ph.D. degree from the Department of Technical Chemistry at the ETH Zürich, Switzerland (1998). He then joined Haldor Topsøe A/S in Denmark as a project manager for three years. From 2001 to 2007 he worked as lecturer and senior scientist at the Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich. before he became a full professor at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineeering, DTU, “The Haldor Topsøe Chair in Catalysis and Chemical Engineering”, Denmark for two years. Since 2010 he has been a full professor and director at the Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany.

Grunwaldt has received several awards, among them Dale Sayers Award of the International XAFS Society (IXS) (2006) and he became Karl-Winnacker-Stipendiat awarded by the Aventis Foundation in recognition of the scientific achievements in supercritical fluids, in situ characterization and exhaust gas catalysis, Frankfurt (2007).

Prof. Bert Weckhuysen is recognized as a pioneering figure in operando spectroscopy for catalysis, having established a global research program that visualizes catalysts under working conditions using a wide array of advanced spectroscopic techniques. His work has profoundly impacted numerous catalytic processes, such as methanol conversion or CO₂ hydrogenation, and more recently, electro- and photo-catalysis. By innovatively combining multiple in-situ methods—including SERS, TERS, SHINERS, and nanoscale sensors—his team has revealed unprecedented molecular and structural insights into heterogeneous catalysts.

Beyond research, he has led major scientific initiatives, held key advisory roles, and earned numerous prestigious awards, including the knighthood in the Order of the Dutch Lion. His mentorship and service to the catalysis community further underscore his scientific leadership, making him an exemplary and fitting recipient of the 2025 Michel Boudart Award. Prof.

Bert Weckhuysen received his Master degree in Chemical and Agricultural Engineering with greatest distinction from Leuven University (KULeuven, Belgium) in 1991. After obtaining his PhD degree in the field of Surface Chemistry, Spectroscopy and Catalysis from Leuven University (KU Leuven, Belgium) with honours (highest degree) in 1995 under the supervision of Prof. Robert Schoonheydt, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Israel Wachs at Lehigh University (PA, USA) and with Prof. Jack Lunsford at Texas A&M University (TX, USA). From 1997 until 2000 he was a research fellow of the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (NFWO, currently FWO-Flanders), affiliated with Leuven University (KU Leuven, Belgium).

Weckhuysen is since October 1 2000 Full Professor at Utrecht University (The Netherlands). Weckhuysen has been appointed as first Distinguished Professor of the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University as of September 2012. Since January 2018 he has been promoted to Distinguished University Professor at Utrecht University. He was a visiting professor at Leuven University (KU Leuven, 2000-2005) and has done a sabbatical at Stanford University (USA) in 2012 and at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) in 2022. He has also been a visiting professor at Stanford University & SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (2013-2018) and at University College London (UK, 2014-2017).