Petra de Jongh

Petra de Jongh (born February 20, 1971, in Utrecht, Netherlands) is a Dutch materials chemist, currently working as a professor of Catalysts and Energy Materials at the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science at Utrecht University. Her research spans many fields, tackling issues like converting and storing renewable sources of energy, developing lighter, sustainable batteries, reducing energy consumption, and designing catalysts for chemical conversions.

Education De Jongh completed her master's degree at Utrecht University in the Netherlands on August 28, 1995, in Physical Chemistry and Condensed Matter. She then graduated cum laude from the same university with a PhD in photoelectrochemistry on September 27, 1999. De Jongh is also heavily involved in the development and advancement of batteries without fluid, which are lighter, safer, and more sustainable than fluid batteries. She created 3D models of catalyzing agents involved in the conversion of simple molecules (from solar resources and biomass) to more complex organic compounds and oxygenates.

De Jongh co-wrote the editorial "Women of Catalysis" as part of an initiative to highlight the research and scientific accomplishments of the leading female minds in the field of catalysis. De Jongh has a spotlight description in the article as well.

Awards and titles De Jongh has received the following awards: NWO-ECHO Grant (2016) Gilles Holst Medal, awarded for her contributions to sustainable energy. She is the first female winner of this award. USA: American Chemical Society, Materials Research Society

She currently serves on the following Boards and Committees:

Board of the Department of Chemistry at Utrecht University Academic Member group Sustainable Industry Lab Member of the Board of the Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science Chairman of the UU ERC grant proposal support committee for the faculties of Natural Science and Geosciences Electron Microscopy Steering Board