I am specifically interested in probing and understanding the synergy between reactive heterogeneous catalytic centers and their surrounding chemical environment, be it solid, liquid or gas phase. We then use this knowledge to design new advanced active functional materials as heterogeneous catalysts, adsorbents and other. We apply these innovative materials towards the utilization of molecules derived from i.e. waste biomass, exhaust CO2 and biogas as building blocks to make chemical, polymers and fuels.