Yuriy Román

Yuriy Román is a Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on the interface of heterogeneous catalysis and materials design. The Román Group applies synthetic, spectroscopic, and reaction engineering tools to study chemical transformations on catalytic surfaces. The group emphasizes nanoscale fabrication of catalytic sites through structural control of materials. Research projects address challenges in alternative energy, renewable chemicals, and novel catalyst design.

Yuriy Román-Leshkov is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, specializing in heterogeneous catalysis, sustainability, and porous materials. His research focuses on developing efficient catalytic processes for the conversion of biomass-derived feedstocks into valuable chemicals and fuels. Key areas include the production of bio-based platform chemicals like dimethylfuran and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from carbohydrates, as well as the catalytic recycling and upcycling of mixed plastics waste. His work also explores the use of zeolites and other solid Lewis acids for sustainable chemical transformations, emphasizing low-energy and environmentally friendly methods. Román-Leshkov's research bridges fundamental catalytic mechanisms with practical applications in renewable energy and circular economy strategies.