Gábor A. Somorjai

Gábor A. Somorjai was a renowned American chemist of Hungarian origin, born in 1935 and passing away in 2025. He held a distinguished position as a professor of chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, where he made significant contributions to the field of chemistry. Somorjai's research expertise lay in surface chemistry and catalysis, with a particular focus on the catalytic properties of metal surfaces in gas-phase reactions.

Throughout his illustrious career, Somorjai received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of his groundbreaking work. Notable accolades include the Wolf Prize in Chemistry, the Linus Pauling Award, the National Medal of Science, the Priestley Medal, the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award, and the NAS Award in Chemical Sciences. Additionally, he was honored with the American Chemical Society's William H. Nichols Medal in 2015. These awards underscore Somorjai's profound impact on the field of chemistry, cementing his legacy as a leading researcher in surface chemistry and catalysis.