Prof Wenyan Zhang | Photocatalyst | Innovation Catalyst Award |

Prof. Wenyan Zhang | Photocatalyst | Innovation Catalyst Award | 

Professor , at Jinling Institute of Technology, China.

Prof. Wenyan Zhang is a distinguished researcher and professor in Material Science, specializing in catalysis, renewable energy, and sustainable materials. With over 12 years of academic and research experience, she has made significant contributions to electrochemical water oxidation, photocatalysis, and hydrogen evolution. Her work focuses on transforming waste into energy-efficient solutions, bridging the gap between fundamental science and real-world applications.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Prof. Zhang earned her Doctorate in Material Science (2012) and Bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry (2007) from Nanjing Tech University, China. Her academic journey laid a strong foundation in nanomaterials, catalysis, and green energy innovations.

Professional Experience 💼

She has been a Professor at Jinling Institute of Technology (2012–Present), shaping the next generation of researchers. Her international research exposure includes postdoctoral fellowships at the Weizmann Institute of Science (2018–2019) and the Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (2014–2017), where she contributed to groundbreaking studies in physical chemistry and catalysis.

Research Interests 🌍

Her research revolves around electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and sustainable energy solutions. She has pioneered advancements in hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), oxygen evolution reactions (OER), and waste-to-energy transformation. Her work in catalyst engineering has significantly enhanced the efficiency of alkaline water electrolysis, offering practical solutions for clean energy development.

Awards & Honors 🏆

Prof. Zhang has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to material science and sustainable energy. She has received multiple accolades for her research excellence, reflecting her impact on advancing energy-efficient technologies.

Top Noted Publications 📚

Transforming Waste into Resource: Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution with Plasma-Treated Carbon Fiber
Wenyan Zhang, Weidong Tao, Yihan Wang, Wenjie Tian, Linyun Hao
Next Energy, 2025 | Citations: 0

Pushing the Operation Current Density of Alkaline Water Oxidation Above 1 A cm² via Electrocatalyst Engineering
Wenyan Zhang, Kunyan Wang, Lei Tan, Chao Lin, Wei Luo
Advanced Energy Materials, 2024 | Citations: 4

A Readily Synthesized ZnIn₂S₄/Attapulgite as a High-Performance Photocatalyst for Cr(VI) Reduction
Yuanyuan Wang, Yancheng Gong, Zhanlin Ma, Wenyan Zhang, Shijun Jia
Materials Science in Semiconductor Processing, 2024 | Citations: 2

Activating Montmorillonite for Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution with the Coupling of Fe Species
Wenyan Zhang, Yihan Wang, Weidong Tao, Wenjie Tian, Lingyun Hao
ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2024 | Citations: 0

Unlocking OER Catalytic Potential and Chiral Fe₃O₄ Film as a Game-Changer for Electrochemical Water Oxidation Pathway and By-Product Control
Wenyan Zhang, Chaoqun Jiang, Hangmin Guan, Wenjie Tian, Lingyun Hao
Materials Advances, 2024 | Citations: 4

Conclusion

Dr. Wenyan Zhang is a strong candidate for the Research for Innovation Catalyst Award due to expertise in clean energy and catalytic materials, groundbreaking publications, and an impressive academic career. Strengthening the case with patents, industry collaborations, and innovation-driven grants would further enhance the chances of winning the award.

Dr Marisol Faraldos | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award |

Dr. Marisol Faraldos | Catalysis | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Researcher, at CSIC – Instituto de Catálisis y Petroleoquímica (ICP), Spain.

Dr. Marisol Faraldos is a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP-CSIC), specializing in catalysis, photocatalysis, and environmental decontamination technologies. She holds a Ph.D. in Science from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and has conducted research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan). Her work focuses on developing advanced catalytic materials for wastewater treatment, air purification, CO₂ conversion, and solar energy applications. She has authored over 50 high-impact publications, several books and book chapters, and holds multiple patents on sustainable catalytic technologies. As a principal investigator in numerous national and European research projects, she collaborates with leading international institutions. In addition to her research, she serves as Technical Deputy Director at ICP-CSIC, mentors young scientists, and actively contributes to scientific committees and standardization initiatives in catalysis and green chemistry.

Professional Profile

Scopus

ORCID

Google Scholar

Education 🎓

Dr. Marisol Faraldos obtained her B.Sc. in Chemistry from Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1985 and later earned her Ph.D. in Science from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 1996. Her doctoral research focused on partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde using supported vanadium catalysts, conducted under the supervision of Prof. J.L. García Fierro (ICP-CSIC) and Prof. J. Anderson (University of Aberdeen, UK). She has also pursued international research experiences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) and the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan), expanding her expertise in catalysis and environmental chemistry.

Experience 💼

Dr. Faraldos is a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP-CSIC), where she also serves as Technical Deputy Director. She founded and leads the Research Support Unit, overseeing catalyst characterization and development. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with leading international scientists from Japan, the USA, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Brazil, and Spain. She has been a principal investigator in 20+ national and European-funded research projects, working on sustainable catalysis, environmental remediation, and CO₂ valorization.

Research Interest 🔬

Dr. Faraldos specializes in catalysis, photocatalysis, and environmental decontamination technologies. Her research includes developing photocatalytic coatings for air and water purification, photoelectrocatalysis for CO₂ reduction, and advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment. She is also actively involved in solar energy applications, focusing on perovskite solar cells and thin-film photovoltaic materials. Her work aims to develop sustainable, energy-efficient solutions for environmental challenges, particularly in industrial and urban pollution management.

Award 🏅

Dr. Faraldos has been recognized for her scientific contributions and leadership in catalysis and sustainable chemistry. She has received multiple national and international research grants, served as an evaluator for prestigious institutions like the European Union, National Science Centre of Poland, and ISTA Czech Republic, and has played a key role in the Spanish Catalysis Society (SECAT) and European Standardization Committee on Photocatalysis. Her research in photocatalytic materials has also led to patents that contribute to environmental sustainability and green chemistry innovations.

Top Noted Publication 📑

Catalytic Wet Peroxide Oxidation of Phenol Over Fe/AC Catalysts: Influence of Iron Precursor and Activated Carbon Surface

Authors: A. Rey, M. Faraldos, J.A. Casas, J.A. Zazo, A. Bahamonde, J.J. Rodríguez

Citations: 222

Journal: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

Year: 2009

 

Bare TiO₂ and Graphene Oxide TiO₂ Photocatalysts on the Degradation of Selected Pesticides and Influence of the Water Matrix

Authors: M. Cruz, C. Gomez, C.J. Duran-Valle, L.M. Pastrana-Martínez, J.L. Faria, M. Faraldos, et al.

Citations: 212

Journal: Applied Surface Science

Year: 2017

 

Técnicas de Análisis y Caracterización de Materiales

Authors: M. Faraldos, C. Goberna

Citations: 205

Publisher: CSIC

Year: 2021

 

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Self-Cleaning Surfaces Functionalized by TiO₂ Photocatalytic Nanoparticles Against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas putida

Authors: B. Jalvo, M. Faraldos, A. Bahamonde, R. Rosal

Citations: 140

Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

Year: 2017

 

Comparison of Silica-Supported MoO₃ and V₂O₅ Catalysts in the Selective Partial Oxidation of Methane

Authors: M. Faraldos, M.A. Bañares, J.A. Anderson, H. Hu, I.E. Wachs, J.L.G. Fierro

Citations: 140

Journal: Journal of Catalysis

Year: 1996

Conclusion

Dr. María Soledad Faraldos Izquierdo is a highly accomplished researcher in catalysis, environmental chemistry, and sustainable technologies, with a proven track record of impactful research, leadership, and mentorship. Her work in photocatalytic materials for water and air purification, CO2 conversion, and solar energy applications has significant societal and environmental benefits.

Her technical expertise, research leadership, and global collaborations make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Strengthening industry commercialization and securing high-profile international research leadership roles would further enhance her competitiveness for prestigious global accolades.