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Prof. Idan Hod Awarded 2025 Tenne Prize

BGU chemist recognized for groundbreaking work in nano-electrochemical catalysis using Metal–Organic Frameworks.
Prof. Idan Hod | Photo: Dani Machlis/BGU

The 2025 Tenne Family Prize for a Young Scientist in Memory of Lea Tenne for Nanoscale Sciences has been awarded to Prof. Idan Hod of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for his pioneering work in nano-electrochemical catalysis using Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) confinement.

Prof. Hod, a faculty member in BGU’s Department of Chemistry, is internationally recognized for developing molecular-level strategies to manipulate heterogeneous catalysts through functional porous materials. His research focuses on electrocatalytic small-molecule activation reactions, including CO₂ and O₂ reduction, hydrogen evolution, and ammonia electrosynthesis—key processes for sustainable energy conversion.

A central theme in Hod’s research is exploring the remarkable ability of MOFs to fine-tune catalytic active sites and their surrounding chemical environments. Drawing inspiration from natural enzymes, his group aims to design new MOF-based electrocatalytic systems capable of achieving complex catalytic behavior through cooperative molecular mechanisms.

Born in Petach Tikva in 1981, Hod earned his BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees from Bar-Ilan University, where he studied molecular crystal engineering and the photoelectrochemistry of quantum dot–sensitized solar cells. He later completed a Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University, working with Prof. Joseph T. Hupp on the electrochemical properties of porous coordination polymers.

Since joining Ben-Gurion University in 2016, Hod has received numerous honors, including the ACS Physical Chemistry Division Postdoctoral Award (2015), Alon Fellowship (2018), Israel Vacuum Society Early Career Award (2020), Krill Prize for Excellence in Scientific Research (2020), ICS Excellent Young Scientist Prize (2022), Toronto Prize for Excellence in Research (2023), and a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant.

The award ceremony will take place during the 89th Israel Chemical Society (ICS) Annual Meeting on February 10, 2026, where Prof. Hod will also deliver a plenary lecture on the opening day.

Congratulations to Prof. Idan Hod on this prestigious recognition for his outstanding scientific achievements.

Prof. Idan Hod | Photo: Dani Machlis/BGU The 2025 Tenne Family Prize for a Young Scientist in Memory of Lea Tenne for Nanoscale Sciences has been awarded to Prof. Idan Hod of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for his pioneering work in nano-electrochemical catalysis using Metal–Organic Framework (MOF) confinement. Prof. Hod, a faculty member in BGU’s Department of Chemistry, is internationally recognized for developing molecular-level strategies to manipulate heterogeneous catalysts through functional porous materials. His research focuses on electrocatalytic small-molecule activation reactions, including CO₂ and O₂ reduction, hydrogen evolution, and ammonia electrosynthesis—key processes for sustainable energy conversion. A central theme in Hod’s research is exploring the remarkable ability of MOFs to fine-tune catalytic active sites and their surrounding chemical environments. Drawing inspiration from natural enzymes, his group aims to design new MOF-based electrocatalytic systems capable of achieving complex catalytic behavior through cooperative molecular mechanisms. Born in Petach Tikva in 1981, Hod earned his BSc,
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