Dr. Javier Ruiz-Martinez joined KAUST in 2019 as an assistant professor of chemical engineering, bringing expertise in solid catalysts and chemical reactions using advanced spectroscopic techniques and the design of novel catalytic materials. Since 2019, he served as the head of the Catalysis, Nanomaterials and Spectroscopy Laboratory within KAUST’s (Former) Catalysis Center. Prior to KAUST, Professor Ruiz-Martinez was assistant professor at Utrecht University, Netherlands, and worked for AkzoNobel as a heterogeneous catalysis specialist. Dr. Ruiz-Martinez is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry and Spanish Catalysis Society, and has several accolades to his name in recognition of his professional and scientific accomplishments to the field.​

Professor Ruiz-Martinez's research interests lie at the interface of heterogeneous catalysis, material science and spectroscopy. A strong emphasis is placed on unravelling the chemistry and kinetics behind chemical processes, such as catalyst synthesis, catalytic reactions and catalyst deactivation. His goal is to understand the structural properties of catalysts during synthesis and when working under real conditions, establishing relationships between material structure and catalytic performance/deactivation. The applied methodology is the development of novel spectroscopic tools and their application in industrially-relevant and model catalysts with well-defined porosity and reactive centers. His research projects involve the study of chemical reactions, such as C1 chemistry and NOx reduction. Professor Ruiz-Martinez is committed to the study of next-generation catalysts that can produce non-toxic, sustainable materials, from rubber tires to sneaker soles.​