Rens Ham

PhD candidate
University of Amsterdam

Department

Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis

Contact information

Room
E1.12, Science Park 904, Amsterdam

Email address
r.ham@uva.nl

Key expertises

Homogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, supramolecular assemblies

About me

I was raised in Vessem, a small village surrounded by the woods near Eindhoven. I went to Amsterdam to study Chemistry where I received my BSc and MSc degrees as joint degree between VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam. In January 2022, I started a PhD at the University of Amsterdam in the group of prof. Joost Reek within the ARC CBBC program. Besides chemical research, I enjoy indoor football, running, board games and spending time with friends and family.

About my research

My research focuses on developing new photochemical reactions using supramolecular approaches to induce selectivity and overcome diffusion limitations. Using light as reagent allows for reactive intermediates while being environmentally more friendly than existing methods. In particular, I am interested in the effects of pre-organization on photochemically induced electron transfer and the selectivity thereof. Understanding this process allows for the rational design of photocatalysts based on more abundant materials with increased efficiency and selectivity.

Academic career

MSc Chemistry – Molecular Sciences (HRSMC Excellence Program) Okt–Nov 2021: Research project in the Catalysis and Surface Chemistry group at the Leiden University, under supervision of prof. M.T.M. Koper. MSc Chemistry – Molecular Sciences (HRSMC Excellence Program) Feb–Sept 2021: Master degree in the Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis group at the University of Amsterdam, under supervision of prof. J.N.H. Reek. MSc Chemistry – Molecular Sciences (HRSMC Excellence Program) Sept–Nov 2020: Research project in the Synthetic and Bio-Organic Chemistry group at the VU Amsterdam, under supervision of prof. E. Ruijter. BSc Chemistry Apr–July 2019: Bachelor degree in the Homogeneous, Supramolecular and Bio-Inspired Catalysis group at the University of Amsterdam, under supervision of prof. J.N.H. Reek.

ARC CBBC publications

Supramolecular Coordination Cages for Artificial Photosynthesis and Synthetic Photocatalysis

R. Ham, C.J. Nielsen, S. Pullen, and J.N.H. Reek