Dr Rosa Arrigo
School of Science, Engineering & Environment
Current positions
Associate Professor/Reader
Biography
I am an Associate Professor in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Salford, UK, with a distinguished academic and research background in materials chemistry and catalysis. I earned my PhD in Natural Science with highest honors from the Technical University of Berlin and the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, following a Laurea in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Messina, Italy.
My career spans leading roles in both academia and large-scale research facilities, including a group leader position at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion and a beamline scientist role at Diamond Light Source, where I continue to serve as a visiting scientist. My research focuses on in situ and operando studies of functional materials, contributing significantly to the understanding of heterogeneous reactions and energy materials.
I have received several accolades, including the Max Planck Society’s Research Prize and several prestigious fellowships. My work bridges fundamental science and applied research, fostering innovation in sustainable chemistry and advanced materials characterization.
I contribute to institutional governance as Chair of the Ethics Research and Enterprise Committee and as the School representative on the Senate Research Governance at the University of Salford.
I am an elected member of the RSC Dalton Division Community , I serve on peer review panels for Diamond Light Source and the UK-XMaS beamline at ESRF, where I currently chair the panel. I represent the user community in surface and structure science at DLS and sit on the Scientific Advisory Board for the VerSoX Beamline upgrade and DLS II. I am a member of the Journal of Energy Chemistry editorial board.
Areas of Research
At the University of Salford, I lead the "Sustainable Energy and Catalysis Laboratory" group. Our research addresses global challenges in sustainable energy and materials innovation, with a focus on developing carbon-neutral fuels and hydrogen through advanced electrocatalysis. I investigate the fundamental chemistry at solid/liquid and solid/gas interfaces to design more efficient and stable catalytic materials. Central to my approach is the use of operando soft X-ray spectroscopy techniques—such as XAFS and APXPS—to monitor interfacial processes in real time under realistic conditions.
I specialize in soft X-ray methods for mapping chemical speciation and have applied these techniques to key reactions including CO₂ electroreduction, oxygen evolution, and ammonia electrosynthesis. My work also explores unconventional electrocatalysis by coupling plasma chemistry.
In parallel, we study the use of waste biomass as a sustainable source for carbon materials in energy and catalysis applications. This includes investigating surface chemistry and developing controlled nanoparticle synthesis strategies to establish robust structure–activity relationships that guide material design.
Another key area of my research focuses on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), where we explore host–guest chemistry using advanced characterization techniques. This work aims to optimize the atomic-level structure of MOFs for targeted applications such as catalysis, selective adsorption and nanotechnology.
My teaching philosophy is rooted in fostering deep learning, critical thinking, and inclusivity across all levels of higher education. As a module coordinator, I lead and co-teach undergraduate courses in Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Work-Based Research Projects, as well as contribute to MSc Drug Design modules. I supervise BSc and MSc research projects, integrating students into my research group and providing opportunities for real-world experience, including collaborations with Diamond Light Source and the UK Catalysis Hub.
I emphasize active learning through tutorial-style lectures, scaffolded assessments, and problem-based learning. I introduced the “Live Project” at the master’s level, enabling students to work on industry-relevant challenges, and I am currently developing digital approaches to chemistry education. My teaching consistently receives excellent student feedback (average >4/5), with high pass rates and strong graduate outcomes.
Committed to educational leadership, I chair the Ethics Research and Enterprise Committee and engage with national conversations on curriculum reform through my role in the RSC Dalton Division. My work aligns with institutional priorities on sustainability and employability, ensuring students are equipped with the skills needed for a rapidly evolving job market.
Qualifications
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PgCAP
2019 - 2020 -
Dr. Rer. Nat.
2006 - 2009