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.
Suitability for the Achievement Award
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

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 

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
.