Francis Verpoort, Ph.D.

Prof. Francis Verpoort, Chair Professor, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Material Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, China Professor Joint Institute of Chemical Research (FFMiEN), Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia Prof. Francis Verpoort is a distinguished expert in organometallic chemistry and functional materials. He leads the Laboratory of Functional Hybrid Materials at Wuhan University of Technology and is the founder and CEO of SAIS Ltd, a company specializing in chemistry, materials, and engineering solutions. In addition to his research, Prof. Verpoort plays an active role in scientific publishing. He serves as the Editor of Applied Organometallic Chemistry, Editor-in-Chief of Chemistry Africa and Nanocatalysis, and is a member of the editorial boards of several other prestigious journals. His research focuses on organometallic chemistry, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), and Porous-Organic Polymers, with applications in catalysis, clean energy, and CO₂ capture. He has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Dr. Basudev Banerjee Memorial Award and the “Chime” Award from Hubei Province, China. He also holds fellowships from the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Indian Chemical Society, and the International Engineering and Technology Institute. Prof. Francis Verpoort serves as Director General of the World Industrial Technology Organization (WITO), a global non-profit platform dedicated to advancing industrial technology innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and sustainable development worldwide. In 2025, he was also elected as Jury Chair of the International Expert Council of the Palladium Global Science Award (PGSA) In recognition of his outstanding contributions to science and technology, Prof. Verpoort has been elected as a member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, and the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Additionally, he has been designated a "National Distinguished Expert" in the People’s Republic of China.