Johan Martens

Some research professors feel most at home in their ivory tower. Not so Professor Johan Martens. He has always been attracted by real-world problems, seeking collaboration with colleagues from other disciplines and especially physics and pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences to tackle scientific challenges of high societal relevance.

His quest to be a pioneer of translational research has led to the successful implementation of fundamental knowledge into practical solutions. No fewer than 45 patent families have been granted to him. Several of these basic research inventions are being implemented in commercial applications. Topics include development of porous materials, heterogeneous catalysis, controlled release of pharmaceuticals, solar hydrogen production and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

His work has led to a raft of awards, including the biannual Exxon Chemical European Science and Engineering Award in 1995, the ESA Certificate of Merit in 2002, and the “Enterprize 2005” – a contest for innovation and entrepreneurship in Belgium.

A professor at KU Leuven since 1997, Martens became Head of the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems and then the Head of the Centre of Excellence in Catalytic Science. Since 2012 he is an active member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts.

Several breakthroughs in his laboratory have led to the establishment of spin-off companies. Discover more about them by listening to Martens at and&.