Newswise — Mercouri Kanatzidis, a professor at Northwestern University with a joint appointment as a materials scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading institutions for science and technology. This honor recognizes Kanatzidis’ extensive contributions to solid-state chemistry and materials science.
“Professor Mercouri Kanatzidis is one of the most influential solid-state chemists of our time,” said Christophe Copéret, head of the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences at ETH Zurich, in a statement. “Through his curiosity and persistence, he has discovered new types of functional materials and transformed fundamental discoveries into important technologies.”
The honorary degree was conferred on November 22, 2025, during ETH Day, an annual event at ETH Zurich that highlights the university’s achievements and recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to science and society.
“I am truly humbled by this honor,” said Kanatzidis. “I am grateful for this recognition of the impact of our work, and I share it with the many students, postdoctoral fellows and collaborators around the world whose talent and commitment have driven it forward.”
Kanatzidis is widely recognized for his pioneering research in thermoelectric materials and perovskite photovoltaics. His work on high-performance thermoelectrics has advanced the conversion of waste heat into electricity, addressing critical energy challenges. His contributions to perovskite materials have led to innovations in radiation detection and new energy technologies, with practical applications in medical imaging, environmental monitoring and beyond.
Kanatzidis’ achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He has authored more than 1,600 scientific publications, which have collectively garnered nearly 98,000 citations. He has also mentored more than 200 doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers.
Kanatzidis earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Iowa. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan and Northwestern before joining the faculty at Michigan State University, where he served as a professor for nearly two decades. In 2006, he joined Argonne and Northwestern, where he has continued to advance materials research.
ETH Zurich, established in 1855, is internationally renowned for its contributions to science and engineering. The university has been home to numerous Nobel laureates and distinguished scientists, including Albert Einstein, who studied and taught there.
Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology by conducting leading-edge basic and applied research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science.