Dr Alberto Roldan Martinez

Biography

Dr Alberto Roldan is Reader in Computational Chemistry and Catalysis at Cardiff University and a member of the management team of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI). A computational materials scientist, his research explores the dynamic behaviour of catalysts at the atomic scale, with applications to sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and the circular economy. His vision is to drive innovation in the chemical sector towards cleaner, more efficient, and circular technologies.

He leads a research group developing advanced simulations to link atomic structure with catalytic reactivity and stability. He has pioneered methodologies such as RAMSCat for modelling supported catalysts and IPSA for particle symmetry analysis. These advances support innovations in ammonia cracking for hydrogen production, plastics recycling, and CO₂ reduction, bridging fundamental science and industrial application. Dr Roldan was the Institutional Leader and Co-Investigator of the EPSRC National Interdisciplinary Centre for Circular Chemical Economy (NIC3E), awarded the IChemE Global Sustainability Award (2023) and the RSC Horizon Prize (2025). He also serves as theme lead in catalysis at the Net Zero Innovation Institute. 

Internationally recognised, he serves on the Scientific Committee of the Ammonia Energy Group, the EPSRC Peer Review College, and the Scottish Carnegie Trust, and holds editorial roles with Discover Catalysis and the Journal of Ammonia Energy. He has reviewed extensively for leading journals and international funding bodies. Dedicated to teaching and mentoring, he has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students and examined more than 25 theses worldwide. His career is defined by bridging theory and practice, academia and industry, and research and policy to advance technologies essential for net zero and a sustainable future.