Original article and photo composite by Kelly Walker
New Leadership for the Center for Catalytic Science & Technology
Dongxia Liu named director of historic hub for catalysis science and reaction engineering
The Center for Catalytic Science and Technology (CCST) is pleased to welcome Dongxia Liu as its new director effective September 1, 2025. Liu, UD’s Robert K. Grasselli Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, succeeds previous directors Dion Vlachos (2007-2012 and 2023-2025) and Raul Lobo (2012-2020), both of whom helped strengthen CCST’s 50-year legacy as a pioneer in catalysis research and education.
For Liu, stepping into this role is both an honor and a natural progression. “CCST has an incredible history and a reputation that extends across the world,” she said. “It’s a place where faculty and students have access to outstanding resources and where collaboration fuels discovery.”
Liu’s path to this position was guided by deep curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Shandong University, her M.S. from the Institute of Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester.
Early in her career, Liu’s research centered on electrochemistry and fuel cells. Upon completing her Ph.D., she faced a choice. Several opportunities awaited her in industry, but her passion for research and the dynamic exchange of ideas that come with academia led her instead to a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota. There, her characteristic eagerness to expand her knowledge, explore new scientific territory, and lay the foundation for the academic career she envisioned ushered her into the field of catalysis and materials synthesis.
Liu then spent more than a decade at the University of Maryland – College Park, achieving successive promotions from assistant professor to full professor. In January 2023, Liu joined the University of Delaware—drawn, in what now feels serendipitous, to CCST’s collaborative, interdisciplinary culture, state-of-the-art facilities, and exceptional students.
At UD, the Liu Research Group designs and synthesizes advanced materials for catalysis, membranes, and reaction engineering. Their work addresses a broad spectrum of applications, including renewable energy, sustainable chemical production, environmental remediation, and clean water technologies. The group’s projects aim to develop scientifically innovative, industrially impactful advancements and span U.S. Department of Energy initiatives, National Science Foundation-supported studies, and collaborative industry partnerships.
As CCST Director, Liu plans to build on the center’s strengths while expanding its reach and influence. She envisions creating new educational workshops, summer courses, and interdisciplinary research initiatives that unite faculty across departments and strengthen ties with industry. Central to her vision is preserving CCST’s culture of community and ensuring it remains a place where collaboration drives discovery.
Liu is approaching her new role with respect for the center’s legacy and optimism for its future. “CCST has always brought people together to tackle complex challenges,” Liu reflected. “We’re building on decades of excellence. I’m excited to continue that tradition while creating new pathways for innovation, collaboration, and training of the next generation of leaders in catalysis.”
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