Prof. Rutger A. van Santen stands as a preeminent scholar and visionary leader in the field of heterogeneous catalysis with a distinguished career spanning over three decades at the forefront of molecular catalysis research. He currently holds the position of Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology where he was appointed Professor Extra-ordinarius in 1986 and promoted to full professor in 1988. His academic journey includes significant appointments as a visiting professor at the Free University of Amsterdam in 1976 and a research assignment at Shell Research Houston from 1982 to 1984. Professor van Santen established himself as a foundational figure in theoretical catalysis through his pioneering integration of quantum-chemical methods with traditional catalytic studies.
Professor van Santen is widely recognized as a trailblazer in applying quantum-chemical methods to computational heterogeneous catalysis, fundamentally transforming how researchers understand molecular mechanisms in catalytic reactions. His seminal contributions are crystallized in two landmark books: Theoretical Heterogeneous Catalysis (1991) and Molecular Heterogeneous Catalysis (2006, co-authored with Professor Matt Neurock), which have become essential references in the field. With an impressive scholarly output of approximately 810 peer-reviewed publications boasting an average citation rate of 30 per paper and a Hirsch index of 75, his work demonstrates exceptional impact and influence. His research program has also yielded 17 edited books, 52 book chapters, and 22 patents, reflecting both theoretical depth and practical applications of catalytic insights.
The enduring influence of Professor van Santen's work is evident in the 2012 Festschrift 40 years of Catalysis Research, A Journey Through Chemical Complexity which documented his extensive contributions to the field. His prestigious recognition includes the 2001 Alwin Mittasch Medal of DECHEMA, the 2004 Miller Professorship from the University of California at Berkeley, and the 2009 Holst Award from Eindhoven University and Philips Research. Demonstrating continued scholarly vigor, Professor van Santen has recently published Mechanisms in Heterogeneous Catalysis (2024), a comprehensive 696-page volume that documents the spectacular advances in molecular understanding of catalytic reactions in industrial processes. His ongoing research continues to shape the future direction of computational catalysis, inspiring new generations of scientists to explore the intricate molecular dynamics that underpin industrial chemical transformations.
