Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy at Erlangen University, Germany
Prof. Dr. Dirk Michael Guldi is a globally renowned scientist and leader in physical chemistry, specializing in photon and charge management in molecules and nanomaterials. Currently holding a permanent C4/W3 professorship at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), his career spans prestigious roles in Germany, the US, and beyond. With over three decades of interdisciplinary research, Prof. Guldi’s work focuses on advanced materials for solar energy conversion, integrating cutting-edge spectroscopy and microscopy techniques to optimize charge separation, transport, and recombination processes. He has supervised over 300 students and early-career researchers, fostering a diverse, collaborative, and internationally respected research group. Prof. Guldi serves in leadership roles across numerous scientific societies, editorial boards, and international collaborations. His extensive publication record, global impact, and numerous high-profile awards—including the Richard E. Smalley Research Award, Ziegler-Natta Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award—highlight his profound contributions to nanotechnology, photochemistry, and renewable energy research.
Professional Profile
Education
Prof. Dr. Dirk Michael Guldi’s educational journey is rooted in a strong foundation in chemistry, which began at the University of Cologne in Germany. He completed his Diploma in Chemistry in 1988, followed by a doctorate (PhD) in 1990 under the supervision of Fritz Wagestian, focusing on inorganic chemistry. This early academic training provided him with a robust understanding of chemical principles, which he later combined with expertise in physical chemistry and nanotechnology. His postdoctoral experiences further enriched his educational background, including a fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States, where he worked on chemical kinetics and thermodynamics. Prof. Guldi’s diverse academic training across multiple disciplines—ranging from inorganic chemistry to physical chemistry and materials science—laid the groundwork for his future research excellence in photochemistry, nanomaterials, and energy conversion, establishing him as a globally recognized leader in interdisciplinary science.
Professional Experience
Prof. Dr. Dirk Michael Guldi has an extensive and distinguished professional career spanning over three decades, marked by leadership roles, groundbreaking research, and international collaborations. Currently, he serves as a C4/W3 Professor and Chair of Physical Chemistry at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Germany, a position he has held since 2004. Prior to this, he spent nearly a decade at the University of Notre Dame in the United States, progressing from Assistant Professional Specialist to Associate Professional Specialist and ultimately leading research at the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory. His earlier career includes postdoctoral and research fellow positions at prestigious institutions such as the Hahn-Meitner-Institute in Berlin, the University of Syracuse, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Throughout his career, Prof. Guldi has built a reputation for pioneering interdisciplinary research in photochemistry, nanomaterials, and solar energy conversion, complemented by leadership in numerous editorial boards, scientific panels, and international research initiatives.
Research Interest
Prof. Dr. Dirk Michael Guldi’s research interests lie at the intersection of physical chemistry, nanotechnology, and renewable energy, with a primary focus on photon and charge management in advanced molecular and nanoscale materials. His work aims to design, synthesize, and characterize novel materials for applications in solar energy conversion and storage. Central to his research is understanding and optimizing processes such as charge separation, transport, and recombination at the molecular and nanoscale levels. Prof. Guldi’s interdisciplinary approach integrates organic synthesis, advanced spectroscopic techniques, and computational modeling to unravel fundamental mechanisms underlying energy conversion processes. He has a particular interest in carbon nanostructures, fullerenes, porphyrins, and molecular hybrids, which play critical roles in developing next-generation solar cells, photodetectors, and energy storage devices. His pioneering contributions to singlet fission, electron donor-acceptor interactions, and molecular electronics have earned him global recognition as a leading figure in energy materials research.
Award and Honor
Prof. Dr. Dirk Michael Guldi has received numerous prestigious awards and honors in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to physical chemistry, nanotechnology, and energy research. His accolades include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (2022) and the Masuhara Lectureship Award from the Asian Photochemistry Association (2020). He is an elected member of both the European Academy of Sciences (2020) and the EU Academy of Sciences (2016), reflecting his international scientific impact. Other notable awards include the Richard E. Smalley Research Award from the Electrochemical Society (2015), the Ziegler-Natta Award from the Italian Chemical Society (2018), and the I-APS Award in Photochemistry from the Inter-American Photochemical Society (2019). Additionally, he holds honorary positions, such as an Honorary Professorship at Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. His lifetime achievements underscore his global leadership in photochemistry and energy research.
Research skill
Prof. Dr. Dirk Michael Guldi possesses an exceptional set of research skills that span across physical chemistry, nanotechnology, and advanced materials science. His expertise lies in the design, synthesis, and comprehensive characterization of molecular and nanoscale materials, with a particular focus on their photophysical and photochemical properties. Prof. Guldi is a global leader in studying electron transfer processes, charge separation dynamics, and energy conversion mechanisms in complex molecular systems, including carbon nanostructures, fullerenes, porphyrins, and hybrid materials. His research toolbox includes state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques, such as ultrafast laser spectroscopy, time-resolved photoluminescence, and transient absorption spectroscopy, enabling him to unravel fundamental mechanisms governing photoinduced processes. Additionally, his collaborative and interdisciplinary approach fosters innovative solutions to challenges in solar energy conversion, molecular electronics, and photonic materials. Prof. Guldi’s analytical thinking, methodological rigor, and ability to integrate theory, synthesis, and characterization define his reputation as a highly skilled and innovative researcher.
Conclusion
Prof. Dirk Michael Guldi’s outstanding research record, leadership roles, mentoring contributions, and global recognition make him a highly suitable candidate for a Best Researcher Award. His influence spans basic science, applied research, academic leadership, and the mentoring of future generations of scientists.
While some enhancement in technology transfer, public engagement, and interdisciplinary policy work could further broaden his case, these are secondary to his clear strengths as a globally recognized leader in physical chemistry, nanoscience, and sustainable energy research.
Publications Top Noted
Title: Nanohoops Favour Light-Induced Energy Transfer over Charge Separation in Porphyrin/[10]CPP/Fullerene Rotaxanes
Authors: F. Schwer, S. Zank, M. Freiberger, D.M. Guldi, M. von Delius
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
Title: Improving Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation via Polycitric Acid-based Carbon Nanodots
Authors: D. Langford, Y. Reva, Y. Bo, B. Jana, D.M. Guldi
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
Title: Deciphering the Energy Transfer Mechanism Across Metal Halide Perovskite-Phthalocyanine Interfaces
Authors: A. Cortés-Villena, A. Cadranel, K. Azizi, J. Pérez-Prieto, R.E. Galian
Year: 2025
Citations: 0
Title: Inverse design workflow discovers hole-transport materials tailored for perovskite solar cells
Authors: J. Wu, L. Torresi, M. Hu, P. Friederich, C.J. Brabec
Year: 2024
Citations: 4
Title: Tuning Interactions to Control Molecular Down Conversion in [2.2]Paracyclophane Bridged Oligo-Tetracenes
Authors: M.R. Rapp, R. Weiß, A.S. Wollny, D.M. Guldi, H.F. Bettinger
Year: 2024
Citations: 0
Title: Long-Lived Charge Carrier Photogeneration in a Cooperative Supramolecular Double-Cable Polymer
Authors: J. Joseph, J.A. Berrocal, N.M. Casellas, T. Torres, M. Garcia Iglesias
Year: 2024
Citations: 0
Title: Deep-Saddle-Shaped Nanographene Induced by Four Heptagons: Efficient Synthesis and Properties
Authors: B. Borrisov, G.M. Beneventi, Y. Fu, J. Ma, X. Feng
Year: 2024
Citations: 5
Title: Designing carbon dots for enhanced photo-catalysis: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: L. Zdrazil, A. Cadranel, M. Medved‘, R. Zbořil, D.M. Guldi
Year: 2024
Citations: 7
Title: Tartaric acid-derived chiral carbon nanodots for catalytic enantioselective ring-opening reactions of styrene oxide
Authors: X. Zhao, Y. Reva, B. Jana, D.M. Guldi, X. Chen
Year: 2024
Citations: 0
Title: Laterally π-Extensed Nitrogen-Doped Molecular Nanographenes – From Anti-Kasha Emission to Ping-Pong Energy Transfer Events
Authors: G.M. Beneventi, K. Schöll, B. Platzer, N. Jux, D.M. Guldi
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
