New director for the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen

On January 1, 2019, Prof. dr. ir. H.J. (Erik (Hero Jan)) Heeres succeeded Prof. dr. ir. J.M.A. (Jacquelien) Scherpen, who has been Scientific Director of the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen (ENTEG) from 2013 till 2019. We are grateful for all she has done for the institute.

Erik Heeres carried out his Ph.D. research at the University of Groningen on the development of novel homogeneous lanthanide catalysts and graduated in 1990. Afterwards, he performed a post-doctoral research at the University of Oxford on asymmetric catalysis. From 1991 to 1999, he was employed at Shell Research, in Amsterdam and Pernis, and worked on a range of applied catalysis topics. He joined the chemical engineering department of the University of Groningen, in 1999. Four years later, he was appointed full professor in green chemical reaction engineering.

His research interests concern the development of efficient catalytic technology for acid- and metal-based catalytic biomass conversions, with an emphasis on biofuels (catalytic pyrolysis, pyrolysis oil upgrading) and platform chemicals (levulinic acid, hydroxymethylfurfural).

Prof. dr. Heeres served as the Chair of the ENTEG Board for six years before becoming Director.

Further information and contact details: https://www.rug.nl/staff/h.j.heeres/