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Åbo Akademi University Docent Sébastien Leveneur Appointed Professor in Lyon

Dr Sébastien Leveneur, Maître de conférences at the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Rouen (INSA Rouen) and docent at Åbo Akademi University, has been appointed full professor at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. He will be working at the internationally renowned research centre Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement (IRCELYON).

Leveneur’s research areas include chemical kinetics and reaction engineering, as well as process intensification and process safety. His connection to Åbo Akademi University dates back to his time as a visiting student, during which he conducted his Master’s thesis at the university and subsequently continued as a doctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry and Reaction Engineering.

In his doctoral dissertation, Leveneur developed a new, environmentally friendly process for the production of percarboxylic acids using solid catalysts—a technological breakthrough. Percarboxylic acids are important chemicals used, among other applications, as bleaching agents and as reagents in the manufacture of fine chemicals, and Finland has extensive production of these substances. The dissertation was awarded the highest grade.

After returning to his alma mater in Rouen, Leveneur initiated a close and long-standing collaboration with Åbo Akademi University. Over the years, he has been a valued guest, delivering lectures on chemical process safety and co-supervising several joint doctoral theses within the framework of double degrees (cotutelle) between Åbo Akademi University and INSA Rouen.

The new professorship in Lyon opens further opportunities for deepened collaboration between Åbo Akademi University and Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1.

“The success of my students is the finest recognition I can receive,” says Tapio Salmi, Professor of Chemical Reaction Engineering, who supervised both Leveneur’s Master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation.