Chemistry Professor Recognized for Research on Sustainable Synthesis

McMicken Department of Chemistry Professor Hairong Guan received the 2015 Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award, which is sponsored by the UC Sigma Xi Chapter and the Office of the Vice President for Research.

 The Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award is given to a junior faculty member each year in recognition of their early career distinguished research accomplishments in a field of science or engineering appropriate to Sigma Xi. 

“I was very excited to learn that I was selected to receive this award,” Guan said. “Looking at the impressive list of previous UC Sigma Xi Young Investigators, I feel so honored and flattered.”

Guan began his career at the time when the high demand for limited energy resources became a pressing issue. Guan initiated his research program at UC focusing on the development of highly efficient catalytic processes for energy, pharmaceutical and chemical applications. 

“In particular, I have placed the emphasis of my research projects on utilizing earth abundant metals such as nickel and iron for homogeneous catalysis,” Guan said.

These earth abundant metals are appealing because they are relatively inexpensive and more readily available than the precious metals that are widely used in catalysis today. Guan’s research team has made progress in a number of research areas such as the conversion of CO2 to liquid fuels and the hydrogenation of fatty esters and natural oils to detergent alcohols. 

Guan will give a presentation on his research and will officially receive the Sigma Xi Young Investigator Award at the UC Chapter of Sigma Xi Spring Mixer in early April.