Members

Paolo Samorì awarded the 2025 Amedeo Avogadro Medal

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Paolo Samorì awarded the 2025 Amedeo Avogadro Medal

The European Academy of Sciences warmly congratulates Prof. Paolo Samorì, Officer of the Materials Science Division of EurASc, on receiving the prestigious 2025 Amedeo Avogadro Medal.

The award, conferred jointly by the Italian Chemical Society (SCI), the CNR Department of Chemical Sciences and Materials Technologies, and the Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL, honours Prof. Samorì’s outstanding contributions to nanoscience and functional nanomaterials. His research spans graphene, two-dimensional materials, and supramolecular systems with applications in optoelectronics, energy, and sensing.

Prof. Samorì is Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the Université de Strasbourg, Director of the Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS), and Head of the Nanochemistry Laboratory. He is internationally recognised as a leading scientist, with over 510 publications, 27,800 citations, and an h-index of 84.

The award ceremony will take place on 27 November 2025 in Rome during the 6th edition of the Avogadro Colloquia, dedicated this year to the theme “Chemistry for a Better Life: Solutions to Health Challenges.”

Prof. Samorì’s career is marked by numerous international distinctions, including the CNRS Silver Medal (2012), the RSC Surfaces and Interfaces Award (2018), the Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Science (2018), and the IUMRS-ICEM Mid-career Researcher Award (2024), among others.

We are proud to celebrate this new recognition of one of EurASc’s Fellows and Officers, whose work continues to advance scientific excellence and innovation worldwide.

🔗 More information – Società Chimica Italiana

Maria Leptin re-appointed President of the European Research Council (ERC)

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Maria Leptin re-appointed President of the European Research Council (ERC)

 

The European Academy of Sciences is proud to announce that Prof. Maria Leptin, Fellow of EurASc, has been re-appointed by the European Commission as President of the European Research Council (ERC) for another two years. Her new mandate began on 1 October 2025, and will run until the end of September 2027.

Prof. Leptin has been leading the ERC since November 2021, steering the organisation with vision and commitment during a critical period for European research and innovation. Under her leadership, the ERC has reached new heights in supporting excellence in frontier research, providing over €16 billion in funding through Horizon Europe (2021–2027)to the most creative researchers across Europe.

In a statement, the three ERC Vice-Presidents – Professors Gerd Gigerenzer, Eystein Jansen, and Jesper Q. Svejstrup– underlined the importance of this reappointment:

“This reappointment is excellent news and ensures continuity at a critical moment ahead of the next EU framework programme for R&I. On behalf of the ERC Scientific Council, our governing body, we would like to thank Maria Leptin for her leadership and strong commitment over the past four years, which has taken our organisation to new heights. She has our full trust to continue the ERC mission for science and for Europe.”

Prof. Leptin is internationally recognised not only for her scientific contributions but also for her leadership in strengthening Europe’s global position in research and innovation.

Her reappointment is a major recognition of her work and a moment of pride for the European Academy of Sciences.

🔗 More information: ERC website

Fellow Prof. Mohan Edirisinghe delivers UCL Lunch Hour Lecture

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Fellow Prof. Mohan Edirisinghe delivers UCL Lunch Hour Lecture

The University College London (UCL) Lunch Hour Lecture series, established in 1942, is one of the university’s most popular public outreach initiatives. The series showcases the exceptional research conducted across UCL and is free and open to all. Since 2020, the lectures have also been made accessible online, reaching a wide international audience.

It was a great honour for Prof. Mohan Edirisinghe, Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, to be invited to deliver one of these prestigious lectures.

📅 Lecture Title: Waste to Wonder –  Can Nature’s Leftovers Shape the Future of Green Manufacturing?

25 November 2025, 1:00 pm–2:00 pm

🔗 Watch the lecture here

Prof. Edirisinghe’s participation in this historic lecture series highlights his outstanding contributions to research and innovation, as well as his continued commitment to sharing science with society.

Federico Rosei elected Fellow of ATSE

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Federico Rosei elected Fellow of ATSE

The European Academy of Sciences is delighted to announce that Prof. Federico Rosei, Head of the Materials Science Division of EurASc, has been elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).

The election of Prof. Rosei recognises his pioneering contributions in the field of nanomaterials and his international leadership in advancing research and innovation. ATSE’s Class of 2025 brings together 35 outstanding scientists and engineers, representing the forefront of technological advancement and applied science worldwide.

This distinction further highlights Prof. Rosei’s achievements as a leading scientist of global reputation, and we are proud to celebrate this recognition with him.

🔗 The official announcement by ATSE  can be accessed here: ATSE Fellows 2025 Announcement 

EurASc Elections – Governing Bodies 2025

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EurASc Elections – Governing Bodies 2025

15. Sep.2025

The Election Committee convened and examined all candidacy dossiers in accordance with the Statutes and Bylaws (eligibility, active-member status, and term-limit rules). The Committee unanimously validates all candidacies for President, Vice-President, and Presidium Members (13 candidates for 5 seats) for submission to the Academy’s vote.

 

List of Candidates 

The following candidates have been validated and confirmed for this election cycle.
We kindly encourage all members to carefully review each candidate’s profile and motivation statement in order to make an informed and thoughtful decision that best serves the future of our Academy.

President

Rodrigo Martins

Candidate for Re-Election

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Vice-President

Alain Tressaud

Candidate for Re-Election

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Presidium Members

Armando Pombeiro

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Chuanyi Wang

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Costas Galiotis

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Ehrenfried Zschech

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Evamarie Hey-Hawkins

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Giuseppe Lacidogna

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Junwang Tang

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Martin Malmsten

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Natividad Santamaria

Candidate for Re-Election

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Patrick Couvreur

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Paul Lecoq

Candidate for Re-Election

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Paul Tréguer

Candidate for Re-Election

View Candidature and Statement HERE

Richard Durst

Candidate for Re-Election

View Candidature and Statement HERE

The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is pleased to announce the opening of the Elections for the Governing Bodies, in accordance with its revised Statutes and Bylaws (2024).

These elections will define the leadership of the Academy for the coming years. All Active Members are encouraged to participate by submitting their candidacy and voting in accordance with the electoral timeline.

🧾 Open Positions and Duration of Mandates

  • President: 3 years | renewable up to 2 times (maximum 9 years)

  • Vice-President: 3 years | renewable up to 2 times (maximum 9 years)

  • Presidium Members: 4 years | renewable up to 2 times (maximum 12 years)

📝 The governing bodies operate under the rules set out in the EurASc Statutes and Bylaws.

🗂 Eligibility Criteria

Only Active Members of the Academy may submit their candidatures or be elected to the Presidium. Each candidate must comply with the limits on mandate renewals.

To be eligible, candidates must:

  • Hold active status within the Academy.

  • Not exceed the number of terms allowed by the Statutes.

  • Submit a complete candidature using the official form.

📅 Electoral Timeline

  • Call for Candidacies Opens: 9 July 2025

  • Deadline for Submission: 29 August 2025

  • Validation Period (Election Committee): 1 – 12 September 2025

  • Announcement of Candidates: 15 September 2025

  • Voting Period: 19 September – 8 October 2025

  • Announcement of Results: 13 October 2025

  • New Mandates Take Office: 1 November 2025

🧾 Submission of Candidatures

Candidates must complete the Official Candidature Form and submit it by email to the EurASc Secretariat at contact@eurasc.eu by 29 August 2025.

Candidature Form

👥 Election Committee

The Election Committee appointed by the Executive Committee for this process includes:

  • Prof. Antonio Camacho
  • Prof. Carl K. Chang
  • Prof. Ernst Wagner
  • Prof. Quan Wang

This Committee is responsible for the validation of all candidatures in compliance with the Academy’s rules.

 

🔗 Need More Information?

For more information, consult our official documents:

📘 EurASc Statutes – 2024 Edition
📘 EurASc Bylaws – 2024 Edition

 

For further enquiries, please contact the EurASc Secretariat: contact@eurasc.eu

Gary J. Schrobilgen Awarded 2025 ACS M. Frederick Hawthorne Award in Main Group Inorganic Chemistry

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Gary J. Schrobilgen Awarded 2025 ACS M. Frederick Hawthorne Award in Main Group Inorganic Chemistry

The European Academy of Sciences is proud to share that Prof. Gary J. Schrobilgen, Fellow of the Academy and Professor at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada), has received the prestigious 2025 M. Frederick Hawthorne Award in Main Group Inorganic Chemistry from the American Chemical Society (ACS).

The award was presented during the Spring ACS National Meeting, held on 25 March 2025 in San Diego, California. Prof. Schrobilgen was honoured for his outstanding contributions to the field, specifically:

Advances in the syntheses of Group 13-18 compounds that encompass strong oxidizers; hypervalent, high-oxidation-state species; and ring, cage, and cluster polyatomic anions.”

The award was formally presented by Dr. Dorothy J. Phillips, President of the ACS, and Prof. Silvia S. Jurisson, ACS Board of Directors.

In further recognition of his achievements, a two-day joint symposium, co-organised by the ACS Divisions of Fluorine Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, along with a celebratory banquet, will be held during the Fall ACS National Meeting in Washington, D.C., on 18–19 August 2025.

📸 Photo Caption:
Prof. Gary J. Schrobilgen (centre) receiving the 2025 ACS M. Frederick Hawthorne Award in Main Group Inorganic Chemistry from Dr. Dorothy J. Phillips, ACS President (left), and Prof. Silvia S. Jurisson, ACS Board of Directors (right).
Photo Credit: EPNAC.com

Claudia Felser Wins 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO International Award for Women in Science

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Claudia Felser Wins 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO International Award for Women in Science

The European Academy of Sciences proudly celebrates Prof. Claudia Felser, Fellow of the Materials Science Division and former member of its Scientific Committee, on being named the European laureate of the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.

Announced on 16 May 2025, this prestigious award honours five exceptional researchers, each representing a major world region, for their groundbreaking contributions to science and their commitment to fostering inclusivity within the scientific community.

Pioneering Contributions to Quantum Materials

Prof. Felser, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden, Germany, is recognised for her innovative work at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and materials science. Her research has led to the discovery and development of new magnetic materials with significant potential for future green energy technologies. Notably, her visionary approach has established the field of “topological quantum chemistry,” bridging fundamental science with practical applications in data storage and sustainable energy. UNESCO+1Vanguard News+1

In an interview featured in the official press kit, Prof. Felser reflects on her scientific journey:

“I was always fascinated by how the properties of materials can be tailored by their composition and structure. This curiosity drove me to explore the quantum mechanical aspects of materials, leading to the discovery of novel phases with unique electronic properties.”

She also emphasises the importance of mentorship and diversity in science:

“Mentoring young scientists, especially women, has been a rewarding part of my career. Diversity brings different perspectives, which are crucial for innovation and progress in research.”UNESCO

 

Honoured by EurASc with the Blaise Pascal Medal

Prof. Claudia Felser was awarded the Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Science by the European Academy of Sciences in 2022, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to the design and realisation of novel quantum materials, with significant impact on quantum and energy conversion technologies.

Her work has driven fundamental breakthroughs in condensed matter and materials science, through a comprehensive research programme that spans from theoretical prediction of topological phenomena, to the synthesis of new materials, and their experimental validation. This integrated approach has placed her at the forefront of innovation in the field.

 

 

🔗 Access the official press kit and full announcement:


UNESCO Press Kit – Women in Science International Awards 2025

UNESCO Official Announcement

 

 

📸 This article includes text and image content based on the official press kit provided by UNESCO and the L’Oréal Foundation, 2025.

Luisa Torsi Conferred Honorary Doctorate by Åbo Akademi University

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Luisa Torsi Conferred Honorary Doctorate by Åbo Akademi University

The European Academy of Sciences is proud to announce that Prof. Luisa Torsi, Fellow of the Materials Science Division, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Åbo Akademi University, Finland. The distinction was conferred during the university’s prestigious Doctoral Conferral Ceremony held on 23 May 2025, in recognition of her pioneering contributions to biosensor technology and her lasting engagement with the Finnish scientific community.

Prof. Torsi, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Bari (Italy), was a Visiting Professor at Åbo Akademi University from 2017 to 2022, where she significantly advanced biosensor research. She is internationally recognised for her innovative work on organic electrolyte-gated transistors as biosensors, which has opened new avenues in biomedical diagnostics.

Her scientific achievements include:

  • Over 280 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals such as Science and Nature Materials

  • More than 18,200 citations and an h-index of 67

  • 14 patents and dozens of invited lectures worldwide

  • Leadership roles as Vice Chair of the Scientific Committee of the National Research Council of Italy and member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei

Beyond the lab, Prof. Torsi has also been featured as a comic book character in Topolino (the Italian version of Disney’s Donald Duck) to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science.

Her election as Honorary Doctor celebrates not only her scientific excellence but also her commitment to mentoring and science communication.

This year, Åbo Akademi conferred 14 Honorary Doctorates across all faculties and celebrated eight Jubilee Doctors who earned their doctorates 50 years ago. The event is the university’s most prestigious academic celebration, honouring both scholarly merit and societal impact.

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Prof. Luisa Torsi during the Doctoral Conferral Ceremony at Åbo Akademi University, wearing the traditional doctoral hat and holding the ceremonial sword.
The doctoral hat, adorned with a lyre emblem, symbolises academic freedom and the dignity of scholarship. The doctoral sword, represents the defence of truth, knowledge, and academic integrity. Both are formal insignia of the honorary degree awarded by the university.

📸 Photo courtesy of Prof. Luisa Torsi, via her official Twitter account.

 
 
 

📍 More details: Åbo Akademi University Official Announcement

EurASc Members Honoured as 2024 Honorary Fellows of the Chinese Chemical Society

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EurASc Members Honoured as 2024 Honorary Fellows of the Chinese Chemical Society

The European Academy of Sciences is pleased to share the news that two of its distinguished Fellows, Prof. Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus and Prof. Jonathan L. Sessler, have been elected Honorary Fellows of the Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) — the highest distinction awarded by the CCS to eminent international chemists.

The announcement was made in April 2024 following a formal election by the CCS Standing Board, composed of over 40 members. Prof. Kohse-Höinghaus and Prof. Sessler are among the eleven scientists selected globally as part of the 2024 class of Honorary Fellows. The CCS currently counts only 103 Honorary Fellows worldwide, a testament to the selectivity and prestige of the honour.

Founded in 1932 in Nanjing, the Chinese Chemical Society today represents more than 120,000 individual members and over 180 institutional members, playing a major role in advancing chemical sciences both nationally and internationally.

🔗 Chinese Chemical Society website
📄 Full Honorary Fellows list (2009–2024)

 

Prof. Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus

Prof. Kohse-Höinghaus is internationally recognised for her pioneering work in combustion diagnostics, using advanced techniques such as laser-induced fluorescence, cavity ring-down spectroscopy, and emission spectroscopy. Her research on biofuel combustion mechanisms and pollutant formation has significantly contributed to the development of low-temperature, cleaner combustion processes.

She is a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a member of the German Academy of Sciences and the German National Academy of Engineering. She has maintained long-standing collaborations with Chinese institutions, trained generations of Chinese researchers, and contributed to shaping China’s innovation policy landscape. In 2024, Prof. Kohse-Höinghaus is also the only woman among the CCS Honorary Fellows, further highlighting her exceptional achievements and leadership.

 

Prof. Jonathan L. Sessler

Prof. Sessler is celebrated for his innovative work in functional molecular design, particularly in the fields of calixphyrins and molecular recognition with applications in cancer therapy, drug delivery, and environmental sensing. His synthetic methodologies for porphyrins and related compounds have had widespread impact in biomedical and supramolecular chemistry.

Prof. Sessler is a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Inventors, and the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc). His active engagement with the Chinese scientific community has been instrumental in strengthening China–US cooperation through academic platforms, joint research initiatives, and researcher training programs.

 

This distinction follows a growing recognition of EurASc members by the CCS: in 2021, Prof. Bao-Lian Su, was also elected CCS Honorary Fellow for his pioneering contributions to inorganic material chemistry and his role in fostering scientific collaboration between China and Europe.

EurASc congratulates Prof. Kohse-Höinghaus and Prof. Sessler on this prestigious distinction and celebrates the continued international impact of its Fellows in advancing chemical sciences worldwide.

📸 News and citations courtesy of the Chinese Chemical Society and institutional sources.
🔗 Full 2024 Honorary Fellows Announcement

Gerhard Alfred Holzapfel Receives Laurea Magistrale ad Honorem in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Parma

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Gerhard Alfred Holzapfel Receives Laurea Magistrale ad Honorem in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Parma

The European Academy of Sciences is proud to announce that Prof. Gerhard Alfred Holzapfel, Fellow of the Engineering Division, has been awarded a Laurea Magistrale ad Honorem in Mechanical Engineering by the University of Parma, in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements and global impact in the field of biomechanics.

The degree was conferred on 20 May 2025 in Parma, Italy, as a tribute to what the university described as “the research and career of one of the greatest contemporary scholars in biomechanics.” Prof. Holzapfel is currently Professor of Biomechanics and Director of the Institute of Biomechanics at Graz University of Technology, and Adjunct Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

A prolific and influential researcher, Prof. Holzapfel is the author of 9 monographs, over 30 textbook chapters, and more than 370 scientific publications, which have collectively garnered over 26,000 citations. He is especially renowned for his contributions to the development of the GOH model—a constitutive model for the mechanical behaviour of human arteries, developed with collaborators Gasser and Ogden. This model has become a cornerstone in arterial biomechanics, with transformative applications in diagnostics, pathology research, and the design of next-generation vascular prosthetics.

In their formal remarks, Prof. Rinaldo Garziera, Director of the Department of Systems Engineering and Industrial Technologies, and Prof. Luca Collini, President of the Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, praised Prof. Holzapfel’s scientific depth, academic leadership, and the societal impact of his research. Particular attention was given to the implications of his work in patient-specific modelling and the integration of vascular dynamics with cardiocirculatory systems.

The university’s Rector, Prof. Paolo Martelli, stated:

“Prof. Holzapfel is one of the most authoritative and influential minds in his field. Scientific research, as embodied by his work, is a value not only for academia but for society. This recognition is our tribute to a career of extraordinary contributions.”

In his lectio magistralis, titled “The Power of Interdisciplinary Research: Biomechanics as an Example”, Prof. Holzapfel reflected on the evolution of biomechanics—from Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical studies to today’s mechanobiological challenges—highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary integration:

“Today, biomechanics is the development, extension and application of mechanics to answer weighty questions in biology and medicine. The future lies in interdisciplinary research.”

Before the ceremony, Prof. Holzapfel signed the Book of Honour of the University of Parma, leaving a message of gratitude and humility for this academic distinction.

EurASc warmly congratulates Prof. Holzapfel on this prestigious recognition, which celebrates not only his scientific excellence but also his lifelong commitment to improving human health through engineering and applied research.

📸 News and photos courtesy of the Università degli Studi di Parma.
🔗 Official Announcement