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Prof.dr. Harry Bitter

Board Member

Prof. Dr. Harry Bitter

Harry Bitter studied chemistry at Radboud University Nijmegen (now Radboud University), majoring in organic chemistry (Prof. Zwanenburg's group) and minoring in organometallic chemistry (Prof. Steggerda/Dr. Heck's group). After graduating in 1993, he began his PhD research at the University of Twente in the Catalytic Processes and Materials group (Prof. Lercher/Prof. Seshan). His thesis focused on heterogeneous Pt/ZrO2 catalysts for the conversion of methane with carbon dioxide to synthesis gas.

After receiving his PhD in 1997, Harry joined Utrecht University as a junior lecturer/researcher in the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group (Prof. Koningsberger's group). One of his core activities was providing support to Dutch users who wanted to use X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in their research.

From 1999 to 2013, Harry worked as a university lecturer/researcher in the Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis group at Utrecht University (Prof. de Jong's group). His research focused primarily on the use of carbon-based catalysts, with the focus shifting in later years from fossil-based feedstocks to renewable (bio-based) feedstocks.

Since 2013, Harry has been a professor of biobased chemistry and technology at Wageningen University. His teaching remit focuses on sustainable catalytic conversions and processes using renewable feedstocks, utilizing (wet) chemical techniques and multi-scale modeling.
Harry is involved in various courses at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. He is also a member of the Board of Education at Wageningen University and chair of the NIOK (Netherlands Institute for Catalysis Research) Education Committee.