He was the Head of the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering 'G. Natta' (1998-2000) and founded the Laboratory of Catalysis and Catalytic Processes, a leading group for interdisciplinary research on catalytic processes, where about 50 people work, including teachers, researchers and technicians.
He has carried out leading research in the fields of photo-oxygenation of olefins, selective oxidation of gas and liquid phases, chemical and natural gas conversion, energy-related catalysis, chemical engineering and environmental protection.
He has held important positions in national and international scientific bodies, such as NEMAS (Nano-Engineered Materials and Surfaces), IDECAT (Integrated DEsign of CATalytic nanomaterials for a sustainable production), Eurokin (European Network of Academia and Industry in kinetics).
He has been frequently involved in conferences, often as an organiser, and has served as an advisor or member of the scientific committee of important national and international journals in the sector.
The task of applying the results of his research in industry is highly relevant.
In 2014 he obtained the Piero Pino Medal from the Società Chimica Italiana.
He is author or co-author of 308 publications indexed in Scopus and of 26 patents, with an H index of 66, which places him in the list of Top Italian Scientists.
Extract from the 2019 nomination statement