Vladimir Galvita is an associate professor at the LCT. His main research interests have focused on the understanding of the fundamental relationships between the structure and composition of heterogeneous catalysts and their performance. Vladimir Galvita studies reaction mechanisms in order to identify factors limiting the activity and selectivity of catalysts. The objectives of his research are pursued through a combination of experimental methods. Spectroscopic techniques, including IR, Raman, UV-Visible, and EXAFS, are used to characterize catalyst structure and adsorbed species under actual conditions of catalysis. Transient kinetics, isotopic tracers and temperature-programmed desorption and reaction techniques are used to elucidate the pathways via which catalyzed reactions occur. Vladimir Galvita has been involved in studies of heterogeneous catalysts for the conversion of methane, light alkenes and alcohols to higher hydrocarbons, dehydrogenation of light alkanes to alkenes and aromatics, catalytic reforming and cracking processes, and combustion reactions. His research interests also include the areas of chemical looping and energy storage processes.