Open Readings 2025 - DAY 4 - Prof. Dr. Rodolphe Jazzar: Carbenes Revolutionizing Material Science

Rodolphe F. Jazzar originally from Lomé Togo West Africa earned his B.S. degree from the University of Poitiers (France) in 1998. Subsequently, he pursued his M.S. degree through an Erasmus Fellowship at the University of Liverpool (UK) which he completed in 2000. In 2003, he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Bath (UK) working with Michael Whittlesey. After completing his postdoctoral work in Switzerland and the United States he joined the University Claude Bernard Lyon in 2006 where he was appointed as a Research Fellow at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in 2008. In 2014, he joined the University of California San Diego (UCSD) as part of CNRS’s commitment to international research where he was promoted to Research Director in 2020. In 2021, he became Deputy Director of the CNRS-UCSD International Research Laboratory (IRL 3555).

Through extensive mechanistic investigations, his team seeks to unravel the intricate processes underpinning fundamental chemical transformations. These efforts span a diverse range of topics, from the activation of notoriously inert carbon-hydrogen (C–H) bonds, a cornerstone challenge in catalysis, to the exploration of the unique reactivity of carbon allotropes such as carbenes. By employing a combination of experimental techniques and advanced computational modeling, the team aims to provide a deeper understanding of these transformations, ultimately enabling the development of novel catalysts and materials with transformative applications in energy, synthesis, and nanotechnology.

Dr. Jazzar has received international acclaim for his groundbreaking research. In 2023, he was honored with the prestigious J.M. Lehn Award for excellence in organic chemistry, solidifying his reputation as a leader in the field.