Andrea Zitolo

Andrea Zitolo OMRI (Pescina, born 1980^[1]) is an Italian French scientist (with habilitation - full professor status) and academic specialized in physical chemistry and material science.

Andrea Zitolo
Nationality	Italy France
Alma mater	Sapienza University of Rome
Scientific career
Fields	Physical Chemistry Synchrotron light source
Institutions	SOLEIL Synchrotron Paris-Saclay University

Life and career

Zitolo, who was born in the Province of L'Aquila, Abruzzo, grew up in Ladispoli, a seaside city that is currently part of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital. After his diploma at the Liceo Scientifico Sandro Pertini, he started his studies at Sapienza University of Rome. He graduated in chemistry with a specialization in physical chemistry and top marks (110 cum laude/110). At the same university, he obtained his PhD in Chemical Sciences with a thesis on “Structural investigation of lanthanoid coordination: a combined XAS and Molecular Dynamics study” and he started his career as researcher. Years after, he moved to Paris, to work at the Synchrotron Soleil, where he is currently employed as scientist. Italian press said he moved to France "in order to revolution the world of low-cost energy".^[2] On 2020 he obtained a Agence nationale de la recherche grant to start and coordinate “Spectroscope”,^[3] an operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) study of novel non-precious metal electrocatalysts.

He is part of the Supervisors habilitated to research direction at Doctoral School of University of Paris-Saclay.

On 2 June 2017 the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella nominated him Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic for his contribution to the advancement of Science and in January 2018, the French Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer nominated him Knight of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques.^[4]

He is also Editorial Board Member for the Springer Nature Group.

Recent scientific works

His pioneering research^[5] interest focuses on the application of x ray absorption spectroscopy in understanding the structure and properties of fuel cell catalysts.^[6][7][8]

Since 2020 he is external review panel member at DESY in Germany and at Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland.^[9]

Activism and Philanthropy

Known for combining scientific expertise with public engagement, he has promoted environmental awareness, supported reforms in higher education and research, and contributed to the recognition of women scientists worldwide. As part of this commitment, he joined other Italian public figures in the World Water Day campaign of Green Cross in 2016, highlighting the importance of safeguarding water resources for both environmental sustainability and scientific progress.^[10] He has also been actively engaged in debates on the transformation of higher education and research systems, particularly regarding their impact on the career development of early-stage researchers in STEM fields, calling for closer collaboration between academic institutions and the scientific community to meet the evolving needs of young scientists.^[11][12][13] In line with his efforts to promote diversity and excellence in science, he has served since 2020 as a panelist for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards.^[14]