Dr. Gabor Somorjai

Biography

Gabor Somorjai was a leading researcher in surface science and catalysis. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he earned his B.S. degree from the University of Technical Sciences in 1956 and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 1960. Somorjai received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, including the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1969, the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 1998, and the National Medal of Science in 2002. He was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His research focused on developing a fundamental understanding of surface phenomena at the atomic and molecular levels, facilitating advancements in heterogeneous catalysis and biocompatibility. Somorjai's work involved innovative instrumentation for nanoscale characterization of surfaces, including surface vibrational spectroscopy and high-pressure scanning tunneling microscopy. He played a pivotal role in educating the next generation of scientists, having supervised over 130 Ph.D. students and 200 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to hold faculty positions in academia.

Research Interests