My research seeks sustainable solutions to today’s emission control and energy production challenges by mimicking biological cell strategies. Biological cells can be seen as enhanced multifunctional reactors specifically designed to solve fundamental chemical engineering issues such as thermodynamic limitations, catalyst deactivation, and product separation. For example, cells can overcome the thermodynamic limitations because the reaction sites are enclosed within the cell membrane, which is permeable to some of the reaction products. Likewise, cyclic vs linear pathways allow a quick and economic solution to chemical problems. While these approaches are common in cells, they are only sporadically applied technologically in a purposeful manner. The aim of my research group is to design, develop and fabricate multifunctional catalytic reactors inspired by how biological cells work, which allows the integration of multi-processes in a single device. So far the difficulty of combining chemistry, materials science and engineering knowledge in a single unit has prevented the full development of this concept. In this respect, my ability to develop these reactors has been established in my previous research work. I am recognized for my knowledge in the area of gas phase heterogeneous catalysis, new materials development, membrane technology and chemical looping in the interphase between chemistry and chemical engineering.