It is our great pleasure to announce that the Editorial Board have selected the 2025 PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship Award recipient. This award recognises and supports emerging scientists working in physical chemistry, chemical physics or biophysical chemistry, who are making outstanding contributions to their field, at an early stage of their careers.
The 2025 PCCP Emerging Investigator Lectureship is awarded to Prof. Kai S. Exner!
In 2024, nominations were open to all and were submitted by leading researchers from around the world. After careful deliberation, Prof. Kai S. Exner (University of Duisburg-Essen) was selected as the 2025 recipient by the PCCP Editorial Board. In addition, a number of the outstanding shortlisted nominees were selected and have been invited to contribute to an Emerging Investigators themed collection, which will be published in 2025/26.
About Prof. Kai S. Exner
Kai S. Exner received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. He conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Ulm, Germany and Sofia University, Bulgaria before he was appointed Professor for Theoretical Catalysis and Electrochemistry at University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed research articles, most of them as corresponding author.
Exner’s group is working on the theoretical description of electrified solid/ liquid interfaces with a particular focus on catalytic processes in electrolyzers, fuel cells, or batteries. He is applying density functional theory calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, microkinetic approaches, or descriptor-based analyses to model proton-coupled electron transfer steps with application in energy conversion and storage. His work has advanced the scientific discipline of electrocatalysis by developing new concepts and approaches with a focus on the atomic level.
For more information about the Exner Group, please visit: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/RuqhC71BXFZZn3oH8fkhoCvRB?domain=exner-group.com.
Many congratulations to Prof. Kai S. Exner on this exciting achievement!
Follow the latest news on the PCCP blog, on BlueSky @pccp.rsc.org and on LinkedIn Physical Chemistry Showcase and browse the latest HOT research in our 2025 PCCP HOT articles collection
