Bert Weckhuysen wins inaugural Chemistry Europe Award
The very first Chemistry Europe Award will go to Prof. Bert Weckhuysen, who is being honored for outstanding achievements and leadership in the field of sustainable chemistry and catalysis research. The award is initiated by Chemistry Europe, an association of 16 chemical societies from 15 European countries, to recognize outstanding contributions to chemistry. The award ceremony will be held in August, during the 49th IUPAC World Chemistry Congress in The Hague, where Bert Weckhuysen will receive the award and give a lecture.
Bert Weckhuysen is a true pioneer and world-leading expert in the study of heterogeneous catalysts, Chemistry Europe writes in their press release about the award. The innovative character, the scientific depth, but also the broad impact of his work are remarkable. His research ranges from the development and use of operando spectroscopy and microscopy methods via the elucidation of reaction and deactivation mechanisms in heterogeneous catalysis to the high-level application of the acquired fundamental principles onto societally highly relevant applied areas.
The innovative character, the scientific depth, but also the broad impact of his work are remarkable.” – Chemistry Europe
The organisation praises Weckhuysen for his significant contributions to the field of chemistry. Hardly anyone has influenced so many industrially highly relevant processes on such a high scientific level: Methanol-to-Hydrocarbons (MTH), Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC), Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS), and the Sabatier process, to name just a few. At the same time, his work is pioneering emerging areas, such as catalytic biomass conversion with an emphasis on lignin, humin, and chitin, and more recently the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 and the recycling of plastic waste.
UtrechtInc has been recognized in the Financial Times “Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs 2026” ranking.
While UtrechtInc is proud of this recognition, the real stars of the story are the entrepreneurs, researchers, and students who walk through its doors every day.
Are you participating in the Utrecht Marathon or are you a keen runner? Register for the Running Symposium on March 19th.
On Sunday, May 31st, Utrecht Science Park will once again be the setting for the Utrecht Marathon. Thousands of runners will line up at the starting line to achieve a fantastic feat: running a quarter, half, or full marathon! To help you prepare optimally, the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, in collaboration with partners Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, and Olympos Sports Centre, is organizing a running symposium where you’ll be informed and inspired to get the most out of your running performance.
Applications Now Open for UtrechtInc Validation Programmes
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn research or an idea into a startup? The validation programmes offered by UtrechtInc may provide the first step. Applications are now open.
Utrecht Science Park researchers receive prestigious Cancer Grand Challenge grants
Several research groups, including researchers from UMC Utrecht, the Princess Máxima Center, and the Hubrecht Institute, have been selected for a prestigious Cancer Grand Challenge (CGC) grant. Cancer Grand Challenges was co-founded in 2020 by Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute in the United States. The initiative supports international, multidisciplinary research teams focusing on major challenges in cancer research.