Ricardo Oliveira Freire | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Ricardo Oliveira Freire | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Federal University of Sergipe | Brazil

Dr. Ricardo Oliveira Freire (🎓 b. 29 May 1977, Aracaju, Brazil) is a distinguished Brazilian chemist renowned for his pioneering work in theoretical and computational chemistry, particularly involving lanthanide complexes. A Level 1C Researcher of Productivity at CNPq, Dr. Freire is currently an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS). With over two decades of dedication to research and teaching, he has led numerous innovative projects, developed the renowned LUMPAC software package, and significantly advanced the Sparkle model. His scientific influence spans Brazil and beyond through prolific publications, international collaborations, and impactful mentorship.

Author Profile👤

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Strengths for the Awards✨

Dr. Ricardo Oliveira Freire stands out as a highly accomplished researcher in the field of theoretical and computational chemistry, particularly in lanthanide luminescence and semiempirical quantum methods. With a prestigious CNPq Level 1C Productivity Fellowship, he reflects national recognition for sustained excellence. Dr. Freire has authored over 123 peer-reviewed publications, accumulating over 5,800 citations and achieving a Google Scholar h-index of 39, indicating both productivity and influence. His projects like LUMPAC and Sparkle/RM1 models have made significant contributions to computational chemistry and spectroscopy, especially for lanthanide complexes with biomedical and photonic applications.

He has mentored numerous students at undergraduate, Master’s, Ph.D., and postdoctoral levels, showcasing a robust commitment to research training. His involvement with more than 40 scientific journals as a reviewer and editorial board member, including JACS, Inorganic Chemistry, and J. Phys. Chem., reflects his thought leadership and service to the scientific community. Furthermore, his work has been acknowledged with multiple national and international awards, including listings in AD Scientific Index Top 10,000 Latin American Scientists, a cover feature in Dalton Transactions, and honors for impactful conference presentations and guidance.

🎓 Education

Dr. Freire earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Federal University of Sergipe in 2002, where he explored the theoretical design of highly luminescent lanthanide complexes. He pursued both his M.Sc. (2002–2004) and Ph.D. (2004–2007) at the Federal University of Pernambuco under Prof. Alfredo Mayall Simas, focusing on the development and enhancement of the Sparkle model for lanthanides. His academic trajectory laid a robust foundation for high-level research in physical and theoretical chemistry.

👨‍🏫 Experience

Since 2007, Dr. Freire has been actively involved in teaching and research at UFS, where he has held various academic and administrative roles including Head of the Chemistry Department and Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Chemistry. He also collaborates with the Federal University of Pernambuco and has taught post-graduate courses at leading institutions like UNICAMP and USP. A sought-after reviewer for over 40 top-tier journals, he exemplifies excellence in both pedagogy and peer contribution.

🔍 Research Interests On Chemistry and Materials Science

Dr. Freire’s research delves into semiempirical methods and computational modeling of lanthanide complexes, with notable contributions to the RM1 and Sparkle methods. He leads the LUMPAC (Luminescence Package) project, enabling accurate predictions of photophysical properties. His interdisciplinary work spans materials science, bioinorganic chemistry, and quantum mechanics, collaborating globally with teams from the US, India, Russia, Portugal, and more.

🏆 Awards

Dr. Freire has received numerous accolades including the Latin America Top 10,000 Scientist (2021, 2023), BRICS Top 10,000 Scientist (2021), and recognitions from prestigious institutions like the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Brazilian Chemical Society. He was honored with cover features in journals, mentoring awards, and commendations from academic and government bodies, solidifying his reputation as a leading scientific voice in Latin America.

📄 Publications

  • RM1: A reparameterization of AM1 for H, C, N, O, P, S, F, Cl, Br, and I
    Authors: GB Rocha, RO Freire, AM Simas, JJP Stewart
    Year: 2006
    Cited by: 936

  • Cytotoxicity and slow release of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin from ZIF-8
    Authors: IB Vasconcelos, TG da Silva, GCG Militão, TA Soares, NM Rodrigues, …
    Year: 2012
    Cited by: 330

  • LUMPAC lanthanide luminescence software: Efficient and user friendly
    Authors: JDL Dutra, TD Bispo, RO Freire
    Year: 2014
    Cited by: 277

  • Sparkle model for the calculation of lanthanide complexes: AM1 parameters for Eu(III), Gd(III), and Tb(III)
    Authors: RO Freire, GB Rocha, AM Simas
    Year: 2005
    Cited by: 195

  • Spectroscopic Study of a UV‐Photostable Organic–Inorganic Hybrids Incorporating an Eu³⁺ β‐Diketonate Complex
    Authors: PP Lima, RA Sá Ferreira, RO Freire, FA Almeida Paz, L Fu, S Alves Jr, …
    Year: 2006
    Cited by: 151

  • 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolonate Complex of Eu³⁺ with Tri-n-octylphosphine Oxide as a Promising Light-conversion Molecular Device
    Authors: R Pavithran, NS Saleesh Kumar, S Biju, MLP Reddy, SA Junior, RO Freire
    Year: 2006
    Cited by: 133

  • Sparkle/PM7 Lanthanide Parameters for the Modeling of Complexes and Materials
    Authors: JDL Dutra, MAM Filho, GB Rocha, RO Freire, AM Simas, JJP Stewart
    Year: 2013
    Cited by: 130

  • Sparkle/PM6 Parameters for all Lanthanide Trications from La(III) to Lu(III)
    Authors: RO Freire, AM Simas
    Year: 2010
    Cited by: 124

  • Tb³⁺ → Eu³⁺ Energy Transfer in Mixed-Lanthanide-Organic Frameworks
    Authors: MO Rodrigues, JDL Dutra, LAO Nunes, GF de Sá, WM de Azevedo, …
    Year: 2012
    Cited by: 123

  • Energy transfer mechanisms in organic-inorganic hybrids incorporating europium (III): a quantitative assessment by light emission spectroscopy
    Authors: PP Lima, SS Nobre, RO Freire, SA Junior, RA Sá Ferreira, U Pischel, …
    Year: 2007
    Cited by: 101

  • Sparkle model for AM1 calculation of lanthanide complexes: Improved parameters for europium
    Authors: GB Rocha, RO Freire, NB da Costa Jr, GF de Sá, AM Simas
    Year: 2004
    Cited by: 100

  • Tuning of the excitation wavelength from UV to visible region in Eu³⁺-β-diketonate complexes: Comparison of theoretical and experimental photophysical properties
    Authors: V Divya, RO Freire, MLP Reddy
    Year: 2011
    Cited by: 97

✅ Conclusion

With an illustrious career marked by innovative research, international impact, and unwavering academic leadership, Dr. Ricardo Oliveira Freire exemplifies the qualities of a “Best Researcher Award” recipient. His dedication to advancing theoretical chemistry, mentoring future scientists, and fostering global collaboration positions him as a pillar in the scientific community. This nomination not only honors his achievements but inspires continued excellence in chemical sciences.

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

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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.