Donald L. Katz Lectureship
A Celebration of 38 Years of Achievement
April 3-4, 2008

Katz Lectureship 2008 Recipient
James A. Dumesic

James A. Dumesic earned his BS degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and his MS and PhD degrees from Stanford University. Dumesic joined the faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin in 1976, where he is currently the Steenbock Chair. Throughout his career, Dumesic has used spectroscopic, microcalorimetric, and kinetic techniques to study the surface and dynamic properties of heterogeneous catalysts. Dumesic pioneered the field of microkinetic analysis, in which diverse information from experimental and theoretical studies is combined to elucidate the essential surface chemistry that controls catalyst performance. He has developed microcalorimetric techniques to measure surface chemical bond strengths for adsorbates on metal, oxide, and acidic catalysts. He is actively involved in the use of electronic structure calculations to study the structures and reactivities of adsorbed species on metal and metal oxide surfaces.

Dumesic’s research group is currently studying the fundamental and applied aspects of his most recent discovery dealing with the generation of hydrogen and liquid alkanes by aqueous-phase reforming of oxygenated hydrocarbons derived from biomass, as well as the production of intermediates for the chemical industry.

Dumesic has been recognized for his excellence in teaching at the University of Wisconsin with a Polygon Award and the 1995 Benjamin Smith Reynolds Award.  He has also received a variety of awards and honors in the field of catalysis and chemical engineering. He has been recognized with the Colburn Award and Wilhelm Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Emmett Award from the North American Catalysis Society. He was named one of the Top 50 Technology Leaders of 2003 by Scientific American, and most recently, was awarded the Burwell National Lectureship by the North American Catalysis Society. In 1998, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Dumesic has published more than 300 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Schedule of Events and Reservations for the 2008 Lecture

Abstract for April 3 Lecture
Abstract for April 4 Lecture

Donald L. Katz Bio and Past Katz Lecturers