Zhen Zhang | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Zhen Zhang | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Northwestern Polytechnical University | China

Dr. Zhen Zhang is a distinguished Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada, and subsequently held roles as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Researcher at the same institution. Recognized as a Shaanxi Province High-Level Talent, Young Talent of Xi’an Association for Science and Technology, and Aoxiang Overseas Scholar, Prof. Zhang is a leading researcher in the field of energy electrocatalysis, with more than 5,500 citations, 14 ESI highly cited papers, and an H-index of 38.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Strengths for the Awards✨

Prof. Zhen Zhang exemplifies excellence in materials science and energy electrocatalysis. With a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo and a robust academic trajectory, he has made pioneering contributions to confined electrocatalytic materials. His exceptional research productivity—over 50 SCI-indexed publications, including in top-tier journals like JACS, Advanced Materials, and Angewandte Chemie—alongside 14 ESI Highly Cited Papers, H-index of 38, and 5,500+ citations, clearly demonstrate profound scientific influence. His leadership in 16 competitive research projects, including national and industrial collaborations, speaks to both his technical depth and applied impact. Furthermore, his involvement in prestigious international collaborations and multiple editorial roles solidify his standing as a thought leader in his field.

🎓 Education

Prof. Zhang pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Waterloo, Canada, where he specialized in electrocatalytic materials and energy systems. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for innovative research in CO₂ reduction, hydrogen production, and advanced battery technologies. His global educational exposure significantly enhances his scientific perspective.

🧪 Experience

Prof. Zhang has a rich and varied research background, including appointments as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Senior Researcher at the University of Waterloo before returning to China. He now serves as a full Professor at Northwestern Polytechnical University, where he leads multiple national and provincial-level research initiatives. His industrial consultancy includes a 30 million RMB project on fuel cell power generation.

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry and Materials Science

Prof. Zhang’s research centers on energy electrocatalytic materials and devices, especially focusing on CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RR), oxygen/hydrogen evolution and reduction reactions (OER/ORR, HER/HOR). His work facilitates the development of fuel cells, electrolyzers, and metal-air batteries for sustainable energy production ⚡. His innovations in confined electrocatalytic systems are advancing next-generation energy devices.

🏆 Awards

Prof. Zhang has received numerous prestigious honors, including the Advanced Materials Award from the International Association of Advanced Materials, Canadian Mitacs Accelerate Award, and the Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad. He is also a Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society and Chinese Materials Research Society. These accolades underscore his contributions to materials science and global energy sustainability 🌟.

📚 Publications

  • Microporous framework membranes for precise molecule/ion separations
    H. Dou, M. Xu, B. Wang, Z. Zhang, G. Wen, Y. Zheng, D. Luo, L. Zhao, A. Yu, …
    Year: 2021 | Citations: 285

  • Constructing multifunctional solid electrolyte interface via in-situ polymerization for dendrite-free and low N/P ratio lithium metal batteries
    D. Luo, L. Zheng, Z. Zhang, M. Li, Z. Chen, R. Cui, Y. Shen, G. Li, R. Feng, …
    Year: 2021 | Citations: 279

  • Quasi-Covalently Coupled Ni–Cu Atomic Pair for Synergistic Electroreduction of CO₂
    J. Zhu, M. Xiao, D. Ren, R. Gao, X. Liu, Z. Zhang, D. Luo, W. Xing, D. Su, A. Yu, …
    Year: 2022 | Citations: 244

  • Revealing the rapid electrocatalytic behavior of ultrafine amorphous defective Nb₂O₅–x nanocluster toward superior Li–S performance
    D. Luo#, Z. Zhang# (co-first author), G. Li, S. Cheng, S. Li, J. Li, R. Gao, M. Li, …
    Year: 2020 | Citations: 237

  • Template-guided synthesis of Co nanoparticles embedded in hollow nitrogen doped carbon tubes as a highly efficient catalyst for rechargeable Zn-air batteries
    Q. Zhou, Z. Zhang, J. Cai, B. Liu, Y. Zhang, X. Gong, X. Sui, A. Yu, L. Zhao, …
    Year: 2020 | Citations: 218

  • Synergistic engineering of defects and architecture in binary metal chalcogenide toward fast and reliable lithium–sulfur batteries
    D. Luo, G. Li, Y.P. Deng, Z. Zhang, J. Li, R. Liang, M. Li, Y. Jiang, W. Zhang, …
    Year: 2019 | Citations: 216

  • Rational design of tailored porous carbon-based materials for CO₂ capture
    Z. Zhang, Z.P. Cano, D. Luo, H. Dou, A. Yu, Z. Chen
    Year: 2019 | Citations: 213

  • Regulation of outer solvation shell toward superior low‐temperature aqueous zinc‐ion batteries
    Q. Ma, R. Gao, Y. Liu, H. Dou, Y. Zheng, T. Or, L. Yang, Q. Li, Q. Cu, R. Feng, …
    Year: 2022 | Citations: 212

  • “Two Ships in a Bottle” Design for Zn–Ag–O Catalyst Enabling Selective and Long-Lasting CO₂ Electroreduction
    Z. Zhang, G. Wen, D. Luo, B. Ren, Y. Zhu, R. Gao, H. Dou, G. Sun, M. Feng, …
    Year: 2021 | Citations: 200

  • Nano-crumples induced Sn-Bi bimetallic interface pattern with moderate electron bank for highly efficient CO₂ electroreduction
    B. Ren, G. Wen, R. Gao, D. Luo, Z. Zhang, W. Qiu, Q. Ma, X. Wang, Y. Cui, …
    Year: 2022 | Citations: 191

✅ Conclusion

🌟 Prof. Zhen Zhang is a visionary in the field of energy electrocatalysis, combining scientific innovation with a strong record of international collaboration. His pioneering work on confined electrocatalytic materials addresses critical challenges in catalyst performance, contributing to cleaner and more efficient energy systems. With a strong academic foundation, over 5,500 citations, prestigious awards, and leadership in over 16 major projects, Prof. Zhang exemplifies excellence and innovation, making him a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award 🏅.

Sergey Koroidov | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sergey Koroidov | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Stockholm University | Sweden

Dr. Sergey Koroidov is a dedicated and innovative researcher currently working at the Department of Physics, Stockholm University. With a strong background in chemistry and environmental sciences, Dr. Koroidov has built a distinguished academic and research career spanning top-tier institutions in Sweden, Russia, and the United States. His research primarily focuses on the study of photochemical dynamics and electrochemical mechanisms, which are vital for sustainable energy solutions. Dr. Koroidov is also deeply involved in teaching, supervision, and institutional development, making him a versatile contributor to the global scientific community.

Professional profile👤

Google Scholar

ORCID

Scopus

Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Sergey Koroidov demonstrates outstanding credentials and contributions in the field of physical and materials chemistry, particularly in electrochemical processes and photochemical dynamics. He is currently a researcher at Stockholm University and has held prestigious positions and collaborations globally—including a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University and research visits to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His leadership in supervising doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, as well as his consistent track record of high-impact publications (over 50 papers, including in Nature, Science, and PNAS with 2,684 citations and an h-index of 23) underscores his significant influence in the scientific community.

He has secured major grants, including from the Swedish Research Council, Wallenberg Foundation, and HORIZON-MSCA COFUND, and plays a key role in shaping institutional strategy as part of several committees, including MAX IV and VINNOVA’s SPIRIT project. His expertise in time-resolved spectroscopy, x-ray spectroscopy, and catalytic mechanisms places him at the cutting edge of sustainable energy research.

🎓 Education

Dr. Koroidov obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Umeå University, Sweden, in 2014. Prior to that, he earned his combined B.Sc./M.Sc. degree in Environmental Chemistry from Moscow State Technical University, Russia, in 2005. His educational journey laid a robust foundation for his interdisciplinary research spanning chemistry, physics, and material science.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Koroidov’s academic and professional path includes a wide array of prestigious positions. Between 2015 and 2017, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the PULSE Institute, Stanford University, under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Kelly Gaffney. Prior to that, he worked as a researcher at Umeå University and as a visiting researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His doctoral research was conducted at Umeå University under Prof. Dr. Johannes Messinger. His early career began as an engineer in the Projecting Research Centre of Water Cleaning in Kaluga, Russia. Since 2017, he has been a researcher and group leader at Stockholm University, contributing significantly to scientific discovery and student mentorship.

🔬 Research Interests On Chemistry

Dr. Koroidov’s research focuses on the intricate study of electrochemical and photochemical dynamics in transition metal catalysts. His work aims to unravel catalytic mechanisms that are key to producing energy resources and essential chemicals. By employing advanced techniques such as steady-state and time-resolved optical and x-ray spectroscopy, he seeks to pave the way toward a sustainable and energy-efficient future. His interdisciplinary collaborations further enhance the impact and reach of his research.

🏆 Awards & Fellowships

Dr. Koroidov’s outstanding work has been recognized with multiple prestigious awards. These include the 2023 Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE) funding, the 2023 HORIZON-MSCA COFUND grant, and a 2019 Swedish Research Council Starting Grant. He is also a recipient of the Wallenberg Foundation Postdoctoral Scholarship at Stanford University (2015), a Swedish Research Council International Postdoc Fellowship (2015), and travel and research scholarships from Umeå University and the Wallenberg Foundation during 2013–2014.

📚 Publications

  • Simultaneous femtosecond X-ray spectroscopy and diffraction of photosystem II at room temperature
    Authors: J Kern, R Alonso-Mori, R Tran, J Hattne, RJ Gildea, N Echols, C Glöckner, …
    Year: 2013
    Cited by: 505

  • Structure of photosystem II and substrate binding at room temperature
    Authors: ID Young, M Ibrahim, R Chatterjee, S Gul, FD Fuller, S Koroidov, …
    Year: 2016
    Cited by: 414

  • Taking snapshots of photosynthetic water oxidation using femtosecond X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy
    Authors: J Kern, R Tran, R Alonso-Mori, S Koroidov, N Echols, J Hattne, M Ibrahim, …
    Year: 2014
    Cited by: 256

  • Drop-on-demand sample delivery for studying biocatalysts in action at X-ray free-electron lasers
    Authors: FD Fuller, S Gul, R Chatterjee, ES Burgie, ID Young, H Lebrette, …
    Year: 2017
    Cited by: 235

  • Key activity descriptors of nickel-iron oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in the presence of alkali metal cations
    Authors: M Görlin, J Halldin Stenlid, S Koroidov, HY Wang, M Börner, M Shipilin, …
    Year: 2020
    Cited by: 155

  • Finding intersections between electronic excited state potential energy surfaces with simultaneous ultrafast X-ray scattering and spectroscopy
    Authors: KS Kjær, TB Van Driel, TCB Harlang, K Kunnus, E Biasin, K Ledbetter, …
    Year: 2019
    Cited by: 118

  • Vibrational wavepacket dynamics in Fe carbene photosensitizer determined with femtosecond X-ray emission and scattering
    Authors: K Kunnus, M Vacher, TCB Harlang, KS Kjær, K Haldrup, E Biasin, …
    Year: 2020
    Cited by: 113

  • Calcium Manganese Oxides as Oxygen Evolution Catalysts: O₂ Formation Pathways Indicated by ¹⁸O‐Labelling Studies
    Authors: D Shevela, S Koroidov, MM Najafpour, J Messinger, P Kurz
    Year: 2011
    Cited by: 108

  • L-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy of dilute systems relevant to metalloproteins using an x-ray free-electron laser
    Authors: R Mitzner, J Rehanek, J Kern, S Gul, J Hattne, T Taguchi, R Alonso-Mori, …
    Year: 2013
    Cited by: 99

  • Mobile hydrogen carbonate acts as proton acceptor in photosynthetic water oxidation
    Authors: S Koroidov, D Shevela, T Shutova, G Samuelsson, J Messinger
    Year: 2014
    Cited by: 80

📝 Conclusion

With an exceptional combination of academic rigor, innovative research, collaborative projects, and impactful teaching, Dr. Sergey Koroidov exemplifies the qualities of a world-class researcher. His deep commitment to understanding catalytic and energy-conversion processes places him at the frontier of sustainable material science. Dr. Koroidov’s contributions to science, education, and international collaborations make him a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.