Researchers at DTU Chemistry find solutions to some of the biggest challenges we are facing, including: Development of pharmaceuticals to ensure a healthier population. Alternatives to environmentally harmful materials we would like to replace. Ways to make us independent of fossil fuels and capture CO2.
“In light of the societal challenges we face, we needed to clearly signal where our expertise lies in addressing society’s major issues,” says Head of Department Erling Stenby.
As part of this effort, the institute has undergone a reorganization and a generational management handover. With the restructuring the institute has gone from two to three sections, making it more visible to the outside world where they should turn when collaborating with researchers at DTU Chemistry.
The sections are:
- Organic Chemistry, which contributes to the development of new chemical synthesis methods, pharmaceutical chemistry, and the chemistry-biology interface. The Head of Section is Associate Professor Sophie Beeren, who is both a researcher studying the use of enzymes in chemical synthesis and a pharmaceutical chemistry lecturer.
- Inorganic Chemistry, which focuses particularly on green transition and catalysis. The Head of Section is Professor Søren Kegnæs, whose research aims to develop materials and catalysts that can produce green chemicals and fuels and exploit CO2.
- Physical Chemistry, which is particularly engaged in calculation and measurement of the properties of molecules in mixtures and products. The Head of Section is Professor Esben Thormann, who conducts research into advanced materials for, for example, sensors and medico-technology.
More people to shoulder the task
One of the reasons for the reorganization is quite simply to distribute the load of the steadily increasing research activities across more people.
“Those who have been Heads of Section so far have also been Heads of Studies, which means that the responsibility for research and teaching has been concentrated among very few people. These are major tasks, so it’s good to get more people involved in heading and developing the department,” says Erling Stenby about the decision.
He describes the three researchers who have been put in charge of the new sections as both highly talented researchers and competent research managers.
The outgoing Head of Section for the Section for Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, Professor Klaus Braagaard Møller, will continue in his role as Head of Studies. The role shift will also free up time for his work with development of both nuclear energy technologies and methods for using quantum mechanics in the chemical field. The other former Head of Section for Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Professor Jens Øllgaard Duus, became Associate Dean for Education at DTU on 1 February.
A dynamic department
In recent years, the approximately 160 employees at DTU Chemistry have attracted an ever-increasing amount of research funds, earmarked for projects in fields such as climate change and green transition, the development of polymers and pharmaceuticals, as well as ways of transporting medicine to the sites in the body where it does most benefit.
In 2023, DTU Chemistry was among the leading departments at DTU regarding new inventions and innovation based on the departments’ research. In addition, the department contributes to a large part of the chemistry teaching at DTU and is responsible for the BSc programme in Chemistry and Technology as well as the MSc programme in Applied Chemistry.
“We live in a dynamic world in which chemistry plays a crucial role—and we must therefore be both competent and adaptable in order to deliver top-notch teaching and research results,” says Erling Stenby.
