Materials-Envi Lab Strengthens Its Team with Experts from Top German Institutions
Two outstanding scientists, already involved in the REFRESH project, have joined the Materials-Envi Lab at the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) of VSB–Technical University of Ostrava. Indrajit Ghosh, a chemist and one of the pioneers of photoredox catalysis — with several papers published in Science — has joined the team from the University of Regensburg. Yazhou Zhou, a renowned expert in electrocatalysis, energy research, and sustainable chemistry, arrived from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. In their new roles, both scientists particularly value the opportunity to collaborate with exceptional colleagues on innovations with practical relevance, as well as the lab’s collaborative and supportive environment.
Yazhou Zhou earned his PhD from Washington State University in the U.S. and later worked for several years in Mainz, Germany, in the world-renowned group of Klaus Müllen, one of the most cited scientists globally. At VSB-TUO, he will focus on developing atomic catalysts and their application in key areas such as energy storage, CO₂ conversion, and environmental technologies. His team will explore the precise synthesis of atomic catalysts and investigate the relationship between their structure and catalytic performance. The goal is to discover innovative technologies for hydrogen energy production and the conversion of CO₂ into high-value-added chemicals, including ethanol, acetylene, and propanol.
The mission of REFRESH, MEL, and VSB-TUO — to support a sustainable future — strongly resonates with Zhou’s professional values. “I was looking for a place where I could not only do high-quality science but also contribute to something meaningful. Ostrava’s transformation from a mining city to a green innovation hub is both ambitious and inspiring—an opportunity I am excited to contribute to with my expertise in advanced catalyst materials,” said Zhou.
He also spoke highly of the MEL team, calling it intellectually stimulating. “I’m thoroughly enjoying being part of the team. The environment is both professional and friendly, and I feel truly supported — scientifically and personally. The management is excellent, and the research infrastructure is
top-class, giving me the confidence to pursue high-impact research,” added Zhou, who relocated to Ostrava with his wife and two children. He appreciates the city’s comfortable lifestyle, quality education, and proximity to many beautiful places in the Czech Republic.
Indrajit Ghosh, who earned his PhD at Jacobs University in Bremen, is a pioneer in visible-light photoredox catalysis, which enables the transformation of less reactive chemical bonds in organic synthesis. His groundbreaking papers published in Science in 2014 and 2019 opened up entirely new avenues in organic chemistry. At CEET, he will continue this research while drawing on MEL’s expertise in materials chemistry to develop new heterogeneous catalysts. These are expected to boost the yield of certain photochemical processes and facilitate their transition to industrial applications.
Several factors led Ghosh to join MEL: “Above all, I felt a strong alignment with the institute’s scientific philosophy, shaped by the leadership of Radek Zbořil, which emphasizes innovative, high-impact research. Additionally, MELab’s state-of-the-art infrastructure for both fundamental and applied research, combined with excellent support from the management team, creates an environment where research ideas can be executed with remarkable efficiency. What I find most remarkable is the shared philosophy of growing together–whether through collaborative problem-solving, interdisciplinary exchange, or joint efforts to secure research funding. In my view, this spirit of cooperation is what truly sets MEL apart,” Ghosh said. MEL consists of seven independent research groups.
Like Zhou, Ghosh also has a positive impression of Ostrava. “In my opinion, Ostrava is a vibrant and welcoming city that offers a great balance between a stimulating research environment and a high quality of life,” he added.
With the arrival of these two scientists, the Materials-Envi Lab has now filled its final senior positions. “We had previously succeeded in attracting leading scientists such as Jagadeesh Rajenahally, who joined us from the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock and has also published extensively in Science and Nature family journals. These new colleagues from other strong German institutions complement the team perfectly. Their research is highly synergistic, and we’re already launching the first joint projects at the interface of heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrochemistry. Many of these initiatives hold enormous potential — not only for high-impact publications but also for commercial applications. They advance key areas in chemistry, energy, and environmental technologies, helping us realize the mission of the REFRESH project,” said Radek Zbořil, head of the Materials-Envi Lab.