Bert Weckhuysen named Francqui Chair in Belgium
This year, Bert Weckhuysen, Distinguished University Professor of Catalysis, Energy and Sustainability at Utrecht University, will hold the prestigious . His temporary appointment begins on 23 April, 2025, with an inaugural lecture titled: Towards a Circular Society: Turning Dreams into Reality with Catalysis.
The Francqui Foundation annually awards chairs to Belgian universities, selecting top scientists from Belgium and abroad who are nominated by the institutions. The chair includes an inaugural lecture and nine hours of teaching spread across the academic year, designed for PhD candidates, postdocs, and academic staff. Later this year, he will give lectures featuring the so-called Refinery of the Future and the importance of catalysis in realising this ambition. Bert Maes, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Antwerp, initiated Weckhuysen鈥檚 nomination in recognition of his groundbreaking research.
Renowned scientist
Weckhuysen investigates the fundamental principles of catalytic processes to generate fuels, materials and chemicals from renewable sources, including carbon dioxide, biomass, and plastic waste. His pioneering work has earned numerous scientific awards, including the Spinoza Prize in 2013鈥攖he highest scientific honour in the Netherlands. In 2023, he was awarded the very first Chemistry Europe Award, and last year he won the Karl Wamsler Innovation Award.