Prof. Dr. Rudivan Eldik | Bioinorganic Chemistry |Lifetime Achievement Award
Research Professor at FriedrichÁlexander University, Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.
Prof. Dr. Rudi van Eldik 
is a distinguished chemist with a career spanning over five decades. Born on August 8, 1945, in Amsterdam 
, he has held esteemed positions across South Africa, Germany, Poland, and beyond. With expertise in inorganic and bioinorganic reaction mechanisms 
, he has authored over 1,000 scientific papers 
and supervised 85 PhD students 
. Prof. van Eldik has been honored with multiple doctorates and prestigious awards, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz 
. Currently, he serves as a Research Professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland 
, continuing his impactful scientific contributions.
Prof. Dr. Rudi van Eldik is a globally respected chemist with over five decades of groundbreaking contributions in Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry . His career spans prestigious institutions across South Africa, Germany, Poland, and beyond , proving his lasting impact on international scientific advancement. His work has not only expanded theoretical understanding but also improved practical applications in reaction mechanisms, catalysis, and kinetics 
.
Education:
B.Sc. (1966) – Potchefstroom University, South Africa- M.Sc. (1968) – Potchefstroom University, South Africa
- D.Sc. (1971) – Potchefstroom University, South Africa
- Habilitation (1982) – University of Frankfurt, Germany
Experience:
1968–1970 – Lecturer, Potchefstroom University, South Africa- 1971 – Post-Doctoral Fellow, SUNY at Buffalo, USA
- 1972–1976 – Senior Lecturer, Potchefstroom University, South Africa
- 1977 – Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Frankfurt, Germany
- 1978 – Senior Research Associate, SUNY at Buffalo, USA
- 1979 – Professor of Chemistry, Potchefstroom University, South Africa
1980–1986 – Group Leader, Institute for Physical Chemistry, University of Frankfurt, Germany- 1987–1994 – Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany
1990–1995 – Honorary Professor, Potchefstroom University, South Africa- 1993–1998 – Visiting Professor, University of Utah, USA
- 1994–2010 – Professor of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
Various Visiting Professorships:
- University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- Ben Gurion University, Israel
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- Jagiellonian University, Poland
- Sun Yat-Sen University, China
- University of Canterbury, New Zealand
2010–Present – Emeritus Professor, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany- 2013–2020 – Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Poland
- 2018–2025 – Research Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland
Professional Development 
Prof. Dr. Rudi van Eldik 
has demonstrated outstanding professional development through decades of global academic excellence. Beginning his journey in South Africa 
, he advanced his expertise with postdoctoral research in the USA and Germany . His career flourished through prestigious roles as professor, researcher, and group leader , while serving at top universities worldwide . Renowned for pioneering work in inorganic and bioinorganic reaction mechanisms , he has published over 1,000 papers and guided 85 PhD students . His global recognition includes honorary doctorates and awards like the Bundesverdienstkreuz , reflecting lifelong dedication to chemistry.
Prof. Dr. Rudi van Eldik focuses his research on Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry , with a special interest in studying complex reaction mechanisms 
. His work explores how metal ions interact in biological and chemical systems 
, helping to understand important processes like enzyme functions and catalysis 
. He is also an expert in applying high-pressure techniques 
to study the thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical reactions 
. Through his innovative research, he has made significant contributions to the fields of coordination chemistry, catalysis, and reaction dynamics 
, advancing both fundamental science and practical applications 
.
Awards & Honors:- 1977 – Alexander von Humboldt Fellow
- 1979 – Raikes Medal, South African Chemical Institute
- 1997 – Honorary Doctor of Science, Potchefstroom University
- 2006 – Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Kragujevac
- 2007 – Honorary Fellow, Royal Society of South Africa
2009 – Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz), Germany - 2009 – Inorganic Mechanisms Award, Royal Society of Chemistry, London
- 2010 – Honorary Doctor of Science, Jagiellonian University
- 2010 – Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Pretoria
- 2012 – Honorary Doctor of Science, Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology
Transition metal-catalyzed oxidation of sulfur (IV) oxides – C Brandt, R Van Eldik | Cited by: 742 | Year: 1995
The chemistry of metal carbonato and carbon dioxide complexes – DA Palmer, R Van Eldik | Cited by: 683 | Year: 1983
Activation and reaction volumes in solution. 3 – A Drljaca, CD Hubbard, R Van Eldik, T Asano, MV Basilevsky, … | Cited by: 385 | Year: 1998
Characterisation of polymer fractions from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and implications for waste management – M Schlummer, L Gruber, A Mäurer, G Wolz, R Van Eldik | Cited by: 305 | Year: 2007
Inorganic high pressure chemistry: kinetics and mechanisms – R Van Eldik | Cited by: 248 | Year: 1986
Gutmann donor and acceptor numbers for ionic liquids – M Schmeisser, P Illner, R Puchta, A Zahl, R van Eldik | Cited by: 233 | Year: 2012
Kinetics and mechanism of the iron (III)-catalyzed autoxidation of sulfur (IV) oxides in aqueous solution – C Brandt, I Fabian, R van Eldik | Cited by: 232 | Year: 1994
Chemistry under extreme and non-classical conditions – R van Eldik, CD Hubbard | Cited by: 222 | Year: 1996
Spectrophotometric stopped‐flow apparatus suitable for high‐pressure experiments to 200 MPa – R Van Eldik, W Gaede, S Wieland, J Kraft, M Spitzer, DA Palmer | Cited by: 206 | Year: 1993
Kinetics of [FeII(edta)] Oxidation by Molecular Oxygen Revisited. New Evidence for a Multistep Mechanism – S Seibig, R van Eldik | Cited by: 198 | Year: 1997
Conclusion:
Prof. Dr. Rudi van Eldik’s lifelong dedication, exceptional research output, and global influence make him a perfect candidate for a Lifetime Achievement Award . His legacy is not only visible in his scientific discoveries but also through the generations of researchers he has mentored and inspired worldwide .
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