John Blacker's Biography

John Blacker, Professor, Leeds University

Professor John Blacker is Chair of Process Chemistry and Technical Director of the Institute of Process Research and Development (www.iprd.leeds.ac.uk) appointed to both the Schools of Chemistry and of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Leeds. Prior to this he spent 18 years in the Fine Chemical industry as Technical Director working on catalysis and process development. In 2007 John transitioned to academia to help found the Institute for Process Research and Development, and was appointed a Full Professor in 2009. Blacker has 110 publications, around 40 patents, an H-index of 29 and over £15m of grant income. Research focus involves bio- and chemocatalysis in process development and includes industrial biotechnology, multi-phasic continuous flow, hydrogen transfer catalysis & manufacturability. Blacker has delivered and currently leads a number of large projects and collaborates extensively with industry. He is the recipient of several RSC and SCI Awards in Process Chemistry.