Hello, my name is Coralie ZATTARA. I am 21 years old and a student from France. I came to UCT Prague for a two-month internship in the laboratory located in Kralupy nad Vltavou.

During my time here, I worked on the design and testing of a catalyst. This experience allowed me to enhance my technical laboratory skills and learn new experimental techniques. I also had the opportunity to explore the city of Prague and enjoy the Czech summer weather.

I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with everyone on the team. I appreciate their patience, kindness, and the opportunity to be part of their team. Thank you all for this enriching experience.

Hello my name is Guillaume SANJEU. I am a chemical engineering student at ESCOM in France. I did a 2 month internship at the Technopark in Kralupy nad Vltavou. This was a really good opportunity for me to learn more about chemical research while working in a team and learning all the different steps in research. I had the opportunity to apply the techniques I learned during my studies and to learn new ones.

It was both a valuable professional and personal experience, as I also had time to explore the city of Prague and discover Czech culture.

I’m grateful to the team for their warm and kind welcome.

We are delighted to announce that three of our Master’s students have successfully defended their theses and completed their studies. Each of them made significant contributions to the field of catalysis and materials science through their research projects.

• Keren focused on Cu-based catalysts, exploring how their structural properties affect the conversion of oxygenates - HMF and dimethyl adipate.
• Racheal, in collaboration with the University of Porto, investigated the use of biochar derived from shrimp shells as a sustainable support material for catalyst development.
• Peng conducted an in-depth study on CeO₂-based supports and their application in furfural hydrogenation.

We congratulate them on this important academic milestone and wish them every success in their future endeavors. Be the way, Keren and Racheal continue with us as PhD candidates.

At the International Symposium on Green Chemistry (ISGC) 2025, held in La Rochelle from May 12–16, several colleagues showcased their work. David Kubička delivered a keynote lecture on valorization of lignin-derived phenolics, underscoring his contributions to sustainable catalysis and green chemical processes. Additionally, Oleg Kikhtyanin delivered an oral lecture and Evgeniya Grechman presented a poster, both contributing to a discussion on green catalyst design and the hydrogenation of furanics.

My decision to spend 2 months at the University of Porto was first influenced by the mild winter and plenty of sunshine. However, upon arrival, I appreciated the inspiring lab environment. The department was filled with talented women leading scientific research and this was very motivating. Additionally, trying local delicacies such as Francesinha and port wine enriched this experience. My absolute favorite place was Miradouro da Serra do Pilar, because of the spectacular night view of the city. 

During my time there, I was privileged to work with Dr. Andreia Peixoto and Ms. Ines Marques, as we turned shrimp shell waste into biochar-based catalyst supports! Given the promise of nitrogen-rich materials in catalysis, our supports were doped with two nitrogen precursors. My learning journey continued through with their characterization using various techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, and BET analyses, followed by catalyst synthesis.

Now in the GreenCats lab, I am testing these catalysts for the HDO of anisole, and I am hopeful for publishable results! This collaboration between Porto and Prague has enriched my knowledge of catalysis and provided me with a deeper appreciation of Green Chemistry and Circular Economy initiatives. I am excited for the outcome of this collaboration. Hopefully, there will be many more collaborations in the future.

Racheal

On the 28th of January 2025, our three studentes attended the 8th Catalytic Seminar for PhD students hosted by the Faculty of Science at Charles University. "I got an opportunity to present my work leading to my master's thesis with the title The influence of synthesis parameters on the structure of copper-based catalysts. It was a great learning experience and introduction to the catalytic community. I interacted with various professors and students on various catalytic topics. I am grateful for the opportunity and I am looking forward to more alike in the future." described Keren her first conference experience.

The new year brings fresh opportunities in the form of new GAČR projects, while also allowing us to reflect on the past year and bring previous projects to a close. To make the most of this transition, our group embarked on a three-day meeting dedicated to thorough discussions and planning.

During this intensive meeting, we reviewed and strategized for our upcoming projects in 2025, ensuring that all aspects were carefully considered. Additionally, we took the time to discuss the progress and future direction of our PhD students' dissertations.

Despite the packed schedule filled with discussions and brainstorming sessions, we managed to find a moment to step outside and enjoy a short walk in the beautiful Průhonice Park. This brief break provided a refreshing pause, allowing us to recharge before diving back into our work.

As we move forward, we are excited about the challenges and opportunities ahead and look forward to another productive year!