Inaugural Lecture: Professor Bao Nguyen, School of Chemistry
- Date: Wednesday 12 February 2025, 15:45 – 18:00
- Location: Chemistry LT A (2.15)
- Type: Inaugural Lecture
- Cost: Free
Join us on 12 February for the upcoming Inaugural Lecture of Bao Nguyen, Professor of Physical Organic Chemistry in the School of Chemistry.
An inaugural lecture is a significant milestone in any academic’s career, recognising their promotion to Professor. It also offers an opportunity for our new professorial colleagues to showcase their work and innovative research with a broad audience, including members of the public, family, friends, and colleagues.
This lecture is part of a Faculty-wide series that celebrates those who have joined the University to offer ever greater teaching, research, and expertise across our eight Schools.
About this lecture
In his inaugural lecture, “Green Chemistry: Navigating Catalysis, Solvents and AI”, Professor Nguyen will explore how green chemistry is an essential pillar of modern chemical research, addressing the sustainability challenges inherent in chemical manufacturing and human activities.
His journey in green chemistry began when exploring and enhancing base-metal catalysis and the catalytic conversion of CO₂ into high-value products. While his efforts yielded promising results, Professor Nguyen realised that achieving true sustainability requires a holistic evaluation of the entire process, from cradle to grave.
He will propose how a more significant environmental impact can be achieved by replacing hazardous and volatile organic solvents with greener alternatives. He has developed a rational, data-driven approach to conducting organic reactions in water, resulting in processes with significantly improved green metrics.
The use of cutting-edge techniques, including the incorporation of AI tools, including large language models, can open new and exciting pathways to integrate green solvents into modern chemical manufacturing, without compromising reaction performance.
About our speaker
Professor Bao Nguyen is a Professor in Physical Organic Chemistry. He completed his PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Oxford, under the supervision of John M Brown FRS. He then moved to Michael C Willis’ group, where he developed the first Pd-catalysed coupling reaction employing sulphur dioxide by suppressing catalyst deactivation.
He then joined Imperial College London, working in King Kuok Hii's group to delineate the nature of the palladium species in different catalytic reactions and developing separation methods for these species. He was awarded his first independent position as a Ramsay Memorial Fellow at Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London.
Professor Nguyen then joined the University of Leeds in September 2012. He actively collaborates with colleagues from both the School of Chemistry and School of Chemical and Process Engineering to address challenges in green chemistry, process chemistry, and AI and machine learning. He is a core member of the Institute of Process Research and Development (iPRD), a flagship institute set up by the Leeds Transformation Fund.
Book your place
The lecture will take place in the Chemistry at the University of Leeds, with arrival and registration from 3:45pm, and the lecture commencing at 4pm in Chemistry Lecture Theatre A (2.15). This will be followed by a drinks reception in the Bragg Atrium at 5pm.
Booking is required to attend this event – you can do so at our dedicated ticket portal. Please book by Monday 10 February.