Prof. Bert M. Weckhuysen
We are delighted to announce that EFCATS former President Prof. Bert M. Weckhuysen of Utrecht University is the recipient of the 2025 Michel Boudart Award for the Advancement of Catalysis. The Michel Boudart Award recognizes and encourages individual contributions to the elucidation of the mechanism and active sites involved in catalytic phenomena and to the development of new methods or concepts that advance the understanding and/or practice of heterogeneous catalysis.
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.
The Award is awarded jointly by the European Federation of Catalysis Societies and the North American Catalysis Society biennially. Professor Weckhuysen will give plenary lectures at the meetings of the North American Catalysis Society (NAM) and the European Federation of Catalysis Societies (EuropaCat) in 2025. The award consists of a plaque and a prize of $6,000. The plaque will be presented during EuropaCat meeting in Trondheim from August 31st to September 5th 2025.
Congratulations again, Professor Weckhuysen, for this award!
Prof. David Kubička, president of the European Federation of Catalysis Societies