Umeå chemists receive outstanding evaluations of an international panel
NEWS
During 2008 an international expert panel evaluated Swedish research in the area of Inorganic Chemistry. In their evaluation the panel considered the research of the Umeå chemists Per Persson and Staffan Sjöberg to be excellent.
- Per Persson and I complement each other in our research and that is why we have become a very strong combination, states Staffan Sjöberg, professor in Inorganic Chemistry. Together we have developed Inorganic Chemistry in the direction of Geochemistry and Biogeochemistry and thereby created a unique Umeå profile. This is something that the panel emphasised in its report, where they also pointed out that the research is highly relevant to current environmental issues, as well as being an important future arena. The purpose of the Umeå professors’ research is to characterise the processes that affect the cycles of chemical substances in the environment at the molecular level, especially reactions on different types of surfaces.
Per Persson works with characterising these processes by applying advanced spectroscopic techniques. Staffan Sjöberg has concentrated on the development of models in his research that describe the processes.
The panel strongly recommended that Per Persson, who is praised for his high productivity of frequently quoted works, will continue to receive funding from the Swedish Research Council. Although Staffan Sjöberg will retire soon, the panel is of the opinion that it is essential that a similar project receive financial support so that his successor can continue to develop the research field.
Although Inorganic Chemistry spans numerous subject areas, at its heart is research which seeks a basic understanding of structures and bonding of molecules and materials.
The panel has evaluated 29 research groups than have been financed by the Swedish Research Council from 2003 through 2007. The summarising opinion is that the research in the field of Inorganic Chemistry that is financed by the Swedish Research Council is sound and of outstanding quality in several subtopics.
The report can be found in its entirely at: www.cm.se/webbshop_vr/pdfer/2008_15.pdf
