Research area: Biomimetic Catalysis, Sustainable Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry

The Biomimetic Catalysis Laboratory develops molecular and materials-based catalysts inspired by the principles of bioinorganic chemistry to activate inert chemical bonds and enable selective chemical transformations. The group focuses on the conversion of environmentally relevant and otherwise unreactive small molecules and compounds into value-added chemicals using well-defined transition-metal catalytic systems.

A parallel research direction involves the design of heterogenized molecular catalysts, nanomaterials, and nanozyme-inspired catalytic platforms for the depolymerization and chemical upgrading of polymer waste and biomass-derived polymers. By integrating concepts from bioinorganic chemistry, surface and interface science, and catalysis, the group aims to address environmental pollution through fundamental chemical principles and contribute to circular chemistry by transforming waste streams into useful molecular and material resources.