Pengfei Li | Theoretical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award -1929

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Prof. Pengfei Li | Theoretical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Prof. Pengfei Li’s journey in scientific research has been deeply rooted in environmental physics and remote sensing. His passion for atmospheric studies and hyperspectral technologies developed during his formative academic years, where he excelled in blending physical science with environmental applications. His academic path ultimately led him to become a key researcher at the prestigious State Key Laboratory of Infrared Physics under the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

🧑‍💼 Professional Endeavors

Currently, as a Research Fellow, Prof. Li is a leading figure in satellite-based atmospheric monitoring. His role includes spearheading research on weak gas emissions detection, a crucial area for tackling global issues like climate change and environmental pollution. His leadership in the lab is marked by interdisciplinary integration, where hyperspectral satellite technology, data assimilation, atmospheric modeling, and artificial intelligence (AI) converge to address modern environmental challenges.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Prof. Li’s research is at the intersection of hyperspectral remote sensing and AI-driven environmental monitoring. His team is developing next-generation techniques for satellite-based detection of weak gas emissions, aimed at pushing the detection limits in extreme environments. This work also involves defining payload specifications for future hyperspectral satellites. The outcomes of his research hold significant relevance for addressing atmospheric pollution, climate change, and homeland security threats, providing critical insights into satellite system design and operational strategies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 50 SCI-indexed publications, including 20+ first-author or corresponding-author papers in leading journals such as PNAS and One Earth, Prof. Li has made a global impact. His research has informed both the academic community and policymakers, particularly in the realms of climate change mitigation, environmental monitoring, and satellite payload engineering. His work is frequently showcased at international conferences like the United Nations Climate Change Conference, AMS Annual Meeting, and the Goldschmidt Conference, where he has delivered numerous invited talks.

🏆 Honors and Leadership Roles

Prof. Li was selected for the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences “Hundred Talents Program” (Category B), recognizing his innovative research and leadership potential. Beyond research, he plays a pivotal role as a review expert for China’s National Key R&D Program and serves on scientific committees, including as the Deputy Secretary-General of the Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology and Application Professional Committee under the China Association for Remote Sensing Applications.

📚 Academic Citations

Prof. Li’s publications are highly cited within the fields of environmental monitoring, satellite remote sensing, and atmospheric sciences, reflecting the value and influence of his contributions on an international scale. His research continues to shape the discourse around climate resilience, pollution tracking, and advanced remote sensing methods.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise includes:  Hyperspectral satellite data processing, Atmospheric modeling and data assimilation, AI and machine learning for environmental monitoring, Payload design and specification for next-generation satellites, Quantitative remote sensing and geospatial analysis.

👨‍🏫 Teaching & Mentoring

In addition to research, Prof. Li is actively involved in mentoring graduate students and early-career scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration in hyperspectral remote sensing. His guidance has produced a growing cadre of young scientists contributing to China’s leadership in satellite-based environmental science.

🚀 Vision and Future Contributions

Prof. Li’s future goals include expanding the applications of hyperspectral technologies to global-scale monitoring of greenhouse gases and pollutants, developing real-time AI-driven detection frameworks, and enhancing China’s position in next-gen satellite missions. His work is set to continue making a transformative impact on how we monitor and respond to environmental and security-related atmospheric events.

📖Notable Publications

The effectiveness of solar radiation management using fine sea spray across multiple climatic regions
Authors: Z Song, S Yu, P Li, N Yao, L Chen, Y Sun, B Jiang, D Rosenfeld
Journal: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Year: 2025

Photostationary state assumption seriously underestimates NOx emissions near large point sources at 10 to 60 m pixel resolution
Authors: L Chen, Z Song, N Yao, H Xi, J Li, P Gao, Y Chen, H Su, Y Sun, B Jiang, …
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Year: 2025

Multi-task deep learning for quantifying methane emissions from 2-D plume imagery with Low Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Authors: Q Xu, X Gu, P Li, X Gu
Journal: International Journal of Remote Sensing
Year: 2024

Less anthropogenic aerosol indirect effects are a potential cause for Northeast Pacific warm blob events
Authors: N Yao, Z Song, L Chen, Y Sun, B Jiang, P Li, J Chen, S Yu
Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Year: 2024

Different contributions of meteorological conditions and emission reductions to the ozone pollution during Shanghai’s COVID-19 lockdowns in winter and spring
Authors: X Dou, M Li, Y Jiang, Z Song, P Li, S Yu
Journal: Atmospheric Pollution Research
Year: 2024

Jeremie Zaffran | Theoretical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Jeremie Zaffran | Theoretical Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Professor at CNRS- (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique),  France

Profile

🌟 Early Academic Pursuits

Jeremie Zaffran’s academic journey began with distinction, marked by a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Université Paris Diderot-Paris 7, where he graduated cum laude and ranked among the top of his class. He continued his studies with a Master of Science in Materials Science, specializing in Nanosciences, where his exceptional performance earned him a summa cum laude distinction. His doctoral studies at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon solidified his expertise, culminating in a PhD in Chemistry awarded with the highest distinction. His thesis laid the groundwork for fast predictions of catalytic reactivity in biomass valorization, merging quantum calculations with statistical analysis.

🧑‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

Jeremie’s professional path reflects a global and multidisciplinary perspective. Starting with his postdoctoral fellowship at the Technion in Israel, he delved into computational design for solar water-splitting catalysts, forging collaborations with experimentalists worldwide. As a Research Assistant Professor at ShanghaiTech University, he expanded his expertise in computational catalysis, designing electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications. Currently, as a tenured research fellow at CNRS and part of the E2P2L lab in Shanghai, he focuses on integrating machine learning with computational chemistry to accelerate catalyst design for sustainable industrial processes.

🏗️ Contributions and Research Focus

Jeremie’s contributions span heterogeneous catalysis modeling, renewable energy applications, and advanced computational techniques like DFT and microkinetic simulations. His projects address critical challenges in biomass transformation, solar water splitting, and CO₂ valorization. He has developed machine learning models to predict catalytic activity and mechanisms, reducing the need for exhaustive computational resources. Jeremie’s interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical insights and practical applications, resulting in innovative solutions for green chemistry.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Jeremie’s work has been recognized through numerous awards and honors, such as the prestigious Lady Davis Fellowship and the Grand Technion Energy Program Fellowship. His academic excellence is underscored by distinctions at every level of his education. Furthermore, his leadership in securing competitive grants has brought substantial funding to projects focused on sustainable chemistry, totaling millions in financial support.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Through collaborations with experimental and theoretical groups, Jeremie has shaped the landscape of computational catalysis. His research has influenced industrial partners, such as Solvay, and academic communities alike. With a robust portfolio of high-impact publications, he has contributed to fields ranging from photocatalytic hydrogen production to CO₂ utilization. His leadership in combining artificial intelligence with chemical research positions him as a pioneer in the digital transformation of catalysis.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

Jeremie’s work continues to inspire innovation in green chemistry. By mentoring the next generation of scientists and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, he is laying the groundwork for a sustainable future. His legacy includes not only his scientific advancements but also his commitment to bridging academic and industrial research, ensuring that his contributions endure for decades to come.

Publication Top Notes

  • “Unveiling the phenol direct carboxylation reaction mechanism at ZrO2 surface”

    • Authors: Kaihua Zhang, Changru Ma, Sebastien Paul, Jeremie Zaffran*
    • Journal: Molecular Catalysis
    • Year: 2024

  • “Photocatalytic dihydroxylation of light olefins to glycols by water”

    • Authors: Chunyang Dong, Yinghao Wang, Ziqi Deng, et al., Jeremie Zaffran, Andrei Y. Khodakov*, Vitaly V. Ordomsky*
    • Journal: Nature Communications
    • Year: 2024

  • “Upgrading the density functional theory with machine learning for the fast prediction of polyaromatic reactivity at bimetallic catalysts”

    • Authors: Jérémie Zaffran*, Minyang Jiao, Raphaël Wischert, Stéphane Streiff, Sébastien Paul
    • Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
    • Year: 2024

  • “Deoxydehydration of glycerol to allyl alcohol catalyzed by ceria-supported rhenium oxide”

    • Authors: Karen Silva Vargas, Marcia Araque, Jeremie Zaffran, Benjamin Katryniok*, Masahiro Sadakane*
    • Journal: Molecular Catalysis
    • Year: 2023

  • “Direct Photocatalytic Synthesis of Acetic Acid from Methane and CO at Ambient Temperature using Water as Oxidant”

    • Authors: Chunyang Dong, Maya Marinova, Karima Ben Tayeb, et al., Jeremie Zaffran, Andrei Y. Khodakov*, Vitaly V. Ordomsky*
    • Journal: The Journal of the American Chemical Society
    • Year: 2023

  • “Identifying Metal-Halogen bonding for Hydrogen Induced Acid Generation in Bifunctional Catalysis”

    • Authors: Yong Zhou, Martine Trentesaux, Jean-Charles Morin, et al., Jérémie Zaffran*, Vitaly Ordomsky*
    • Journal: ACS Catalysis
    • Year: 2023

  • “Catalytic selective oxidation of isobutane in a decoupled redox-process”

    • Authors: Li Zhang, Jeremie Zaffran, Franck Dumeignil, Sébastien Paul*, Axel Lofberg, Benjamin Katryniok*
    • Journal: Applied Catalysis A: General
    • Year: 2022

  • “Theoretical Insights into the Formation Mechanism of Methane, Ethylene, and Methanol in Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis at Co2C Surfaces”

    • Authors: Jeremie Zaffran*, Bo Yang*
    • Journal: ChemCatChem
    • Year: 2021

  • “First-Principles-Based Microkinetic Simulations of CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over Intermetallic GaPd2”

    • Authors: Panpan Wu, Jeremie Zaffran, Bo Yang*
    • Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
    • Year: 2020

  • “Fast Prediction of Oxygen Reduction Reaction Activity on Carbon Nanotubes with a Localized Geometric Descriptor”

    • Authors: Kunran Yang†, Jeremie Zaffran†, Bo Yang*
    • Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
    • Year: 2020