WORK EXPERIENCE

2022 - now

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology, Professor

2018 - 2022

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology, associate professor (prof. UMCS)

2012 – 2018

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology, associate professor (dr hab., adiunkt)

2009 - 2012

-   University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Project manager (1/2 time) “Wzrost potencjału badawczo-rozwojowego Wydziałów Chemii i Biologii i Nauk o Ziemi UMCS w Lublinie” (Project No POPW.01.03.00-06-017/09 Operational Programme Development of Eastern Poland 2007-2013)

1998 - 2012

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology, assistant professor (dr, adiunkt)

1996 -1998

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Chemical Technology, assistant (dr, asystent)

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

2009 – 2010

Kozminski University in Warsaw, Postgraduate course in Project management

1992 – 1996  

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, PhD studies, Degree of Philosophy Doctor (PhD) in Chemistry, PhD Thesis "Investigation of surface heterogeneity on multilayer adsorption and capillary condensation in lattice systems using Monte Carlo method"

1987 - 1992

University of Maria Curie-Skłodowska in Lublin, Faculty of Chemistry, Master's thesis: “Synthesis and characterization of unsaturated unburned polyester resins”.

1982 - 1987

Technical high-school of chemistry in Lublin

PERSONAL SKILLS

Languages

English - fluent written and spoken.

Communication skills

Good communication skills gained through my experience as university teacher and scientist within the fields of material chemistry, chemical technology, applied chemistry, chemical engineering, removable energy sources.

Organisational/ managerial skills

Planning, organizing, leading, coordinating and controlling resources and processes:

-      teaching of the students and scientific research -  university teacher, Master's and Doctoral PhD thesis advisor

-      project management.

Job-related skills

Analytical techniques – gas chromatography (GC), mass spectrometry (MS, GCMS), FTIR (ATR, DRIFT, PAS, PM, VCD), Raman and UV-VIS spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG, DTA, TPD), microcatalytic activity tests, studies of acid-base properties of materials, reducibility studies (TPR, TPO, TPSR), determination of surface area and porosity, high-pressure reactors, low-pressure equipment, design and construction of laboratory microreactor installations.

Synthesis catalysts, nanomaterials, magnetic materials, adsorbents.

Experience in hydrogen technology, hydrocarbon conversion, methanol and ethanol conversion, CO and VOCs abatement, methane catalytic combustion, fuel cells, environmental protection, nanotechnology.

Computer skills

Microsoft Office tools, software for data analysis and presentation - Grapher, Origin, PeakFit, Chemcad, software for image processing – CorelDraw. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Participation in the international research projects

●2016-2019; Project Development of an Innovative Concept for Carbon Dioxide Utilization as Side Stream of Integrated Bio-refinery Concepts  (Opracowanie innowacyjnej koncepcji wykorzystania strumienia odpadowego dwutlenku węgla w biorafineriach) (ICOCAD), consortium Fraunhofer ICT-IMM (Niemcy); Konsun Sp. z o.o. (Polska); UMCS, ERA-NET Bioenergy, Integrated Biorefinery Concepts, cofinanced by NCBR, BIOENERGY/ICOCAD/04/2016. 

https://eranetbioenergy.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Eranet_bioenergy_-factsheet_ICOCAD.pdf

●2013-2016; Collaborative project  No 325358, Development of a Portable Internal Reforming Methanol High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell System, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, Seventh Framework Programme, international consortium: UMCS Lublin, Advent Technologies S.A. (Greece), University of Patras (UPAT) (Greece), Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes (FORTH/ICE-HT) (Greece), Institut fur Mikrotechnik Mainz GmBH (Germany), Zentrum für Brennstoffzellen Technik GmbH (ZBT) (Germany), Directorate General Joint Research Centre - Institute for Energy and Transport (JRC-IET) (BE), ENERFUEL, Inc. (USA), ARPEDON LTD (Greece), participant.  https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/325358/pl

● 2012 – 2014; Integrated Action Programme POLONIUM, Understanding reaction pathways of ethanol reforming over ZnO supported Co and Ni model catalysts; cooperation with Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, Strasbourg) (France), participant.

● 2010 – 2013; Collaborative project  No 245202, Development of an Internal Reforming Alcohol High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack, within FCH-JU-2008-1 Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, Seventh Framework Programme, international consortium: UMCS Lublin, Advent Technologies S.A. (Greece), NedStack Fuel Cell Technology BV (Holland), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, Strasbourg) (France), Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes (FORTH/ICE-HT) (Greece), Institut fur Mikrotechnik Mainz GmBH (Germany), participant.  https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/245202/pl

● 2009 – 2013; Research project PIRSES-GA-2008-230790, Hybrid nanocomposites and their applications (Compositum), within Seventh Framework Programme Marie Curie Actions, People, International Research Staff Exchange Scheme, with participation of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, National Technical University of Athens, University of Brighton, UMCS Lublin, participant. 

https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/230790/pl

● 2008 – 2011; Research project ACENET ERA-NET (Applied Catalysis European NETwork) No. ACE.07.009, Hydrogen from bio-alcohols: An efficient route for hydrogen production via novel reforming catalysts NUCAT4HYDROGEN  within  Innovative, sustainable catalytic processes with improved energy and carbon efficiency, cooperationofFoundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes (FORTH/ICE-HT) (Greece), University of Barcelona (Spain), Advent Technologies S.A. (Greece), UMCS Lublin, participant. 

https://www.umcs.pl/pl/nucat4hydrogen,12049.htm

● 2006 – 2007; Research project within Protocol of the Third Polish-Greek Joint Commission Meeting (Working Programme for the years 2006-2007) No 11/2006, Multicomponent catalytic nanomaterials for clean energy production, cooperation with Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering & High Temperature Chemical Processes (FORTH/ICE-HT) (Greece), participant.

● 2003; Research project KBN 022/2001-2002 (3397/R00/R02), Foam catalysts for high-temperature industrial and energetic processes, cooperation with Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes FORTH/ICE-HT) (Greece), participant.

Participation in the national research projects 

● 2009-2013 Research project, UDA-POIG.01.03.01-00-072/08-00,  Environmentally-friendly technologies of methane utilization from coal mines, financed by the European Regional Development Fund Innovative Economy Programme 2007 – 2013,  Action 1.3 - 1.3.1, realized within consortium of AGH University of Science and Technology Kraków, Wrocław University of Technology, UMCS Lublin, participant.

● 2008 – 2011; Research project No N N204 228534, Highly-selective catalysts for ethanol conversion to hydrogen, participant.

● 2007 – 2010; Research ordered project No PBZ-MEiN-2/2/2006, Chemistry of perspective processes of coal conversion. Task II.3. Catalysts of the multiple gas reforming for gas heated reformers (GHR), participant.

● 2005 – 2008 Research ordered project No PBZ-KBN-11/TO/09/2004/1C, New catalytic materials, as the base for environmental friendly processes – An application of DIM technique for dispersed metal and alloy catalysts preparation of tailored physicochemical and catalytic properties for key industrial and environmental processes, participant.

● 2005 – 2008  Research project No 3T09B12429 – Studies of new processes of synthesis gas production, participant.

● 2005 – 2008 Research project No KBN 3T09B11429, Nanostructured catalysts for oxidation of  CO and organic compounds, project leader.

● 2000 – 2003 Scientific project No PBZ/KBN/018/T09/99/2c,  C1- chemistry –  processes of methane (natural gas) transformations. Research task: Oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene, participant.

● 2000 – 2003 Scientific project No NPBZ/KBN/018/T09/99/5a, C1- chemistry –  processes of methane  (natural gas) transformations. Research task:NiO-MgO-Al₂O₃ systems as active and  coking resistant catalysts for conversion of methane with steam and carbon dioxide, participant.

● 2000 – 2003 Scientific project No NPBZ/KBN/018/T09/99/5b, C1- chemistry –  processes of methane (natural gas) transformations. Research task: New processes of synthesis gas production for ammonia and methanol synthesis and the catalysts for such processes, participant.

● 1998 – 2001 Scientific project No 3T09B00715, The influence of surface state of Ni-Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts on the kinetics and selectivity of steam reforming of hydrocarbons, participant.

Participation in the UMCS projects

● 2009; Collective grant of UMCS Vice-Rector for Science, Synthesis and studies of physicochemical, catalytic and magnetic properties of high surface area oxide materials, project leader.

● 2007; Collective grant of UMCS Vice-Rector for Science, Transient kinetic analysis of isotope labeled methane (¹²CH₄/¹³CH₄) in the reaction of oxidation of methane on the Pd/Al₂O₃ and  Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts, participant. 

● 2005; Interdisciplinary collective grant of UMCS Vice-Rector for Science and Research, Studies of Pd/metal oxide systems used for complete methane oxidation, participant. 

Educational projects

Project No FSS/2008/X/D5/W/0032  “Courses in material chemistry in English, Norway grants, participation in the application and realization.

Selected scientific  publications

1. K. Karpińska-Wlizło, W. Zawadzki, G. Słowik, W. Gac, Does the active surface area determine the activity of silica supported nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation reaction? Chem. Eng. J. 502 (2024) 157827 (doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.157827). Anyone clicking on the link below before January 13, 2025 will be taken directly to the final version of the article on ScienceDirect. No sign up, registration or fees are required. https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1k9JM4x7R2kSK1

2. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, G. Słowik, W. Grudziński, S. Dzwigaj, BEA zeolite supported Ce-promoted nickel catalysts for CO₂ methanation, Catalysis Today 437(2024) 114728, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cattod.2024.114728). 

3. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, M. Kuśmierz, G. Słowik, W. Grudziński, Neodymium promoted ceria and alumina supported nickel catalysts for CO₂ methanation reaction, Appl. Surf. Sci. 631 (2023) 157542
4. K. Kappis, J. Papavasiliou, M. Kuśmierz, G. Słowik, Y. Li, H. Li, W. Gac, G. Avgouropoulos, Steam reforming of methanol over combustion synthesized CuZnOx-based catalysts for fuel cell applications, Chem. Eng. J. 461 (2023) 142098.
5. A. Derylo-MarczewskaA. D. Sternik, A. Swiatkowski, K. Kusmierek, W. Gac, B. Buczek, Adsorption of phenol from aqueous and cyclohexane solutions on activated carbons with differentiated surface chemistry, Thermochimica Acta, 715 (2022) 2022 179299.
6. C. Papadopoulos, K. Kappis, J. Papavasiliou, J. Vakros, A. Antonelou, W. Gac, HB. Li, G. Avgouropoulos, IImpact of hydrothermally prepared support on the catalytic properties of CuCe oxide for preferential CO oxidation reaction, Catalysts, 12 (2022)  674.
7. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, M. Rotko, M. Kuśmierz, The effects of Ce and W promoters on the performance of alumina-supported nickel catalysts in CO₂ methanation reaction, Catalysts 12 (2022) 13.
8. K. Winiarczyk, W. Gac, M. Góral‑Kowalczyk, Z. Surowiec, Magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles with a DMSA-modifed surface, Hyperfine Interact. 242 (2021) 48.
9. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, G. Słowik, M. Kuśmierz, S. Dzwigaj, The state of BEA zeolite supported nickel catalysts in CO₂ methanation reaction, Appl. Surf. Sci. 564 (2021) 150421.
10. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, M. Rotko, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, H. Pennemann, S. Neuberg, R. Zapf, G. Kolb, Direct conversion of carbon dioxide to methane over ceria- and alumina-supported nickel catalysts for biogas valorization, ChemPlusChem 86 (2021) 889-903.
11. M. Greluk, W. Gac, M. Rotko, G. Słowik, S. Turczyniak-Surdacka, Co/CeO₂ and Ni/CeO₂ catalysts for ethanol steam reforming: Effect of the cobalt/nickel dispersion on catalysts properties, J. Catal. 393 (2021) 159-178.
12. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, M. Rotko, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, G. Kolb, Effects of support composition on the performance of nickel catalysts in CO₂ methanation reaction, Cat. Today 357 (2020) 468-482.
13. C. Papadopoulos, K. Kappis, Joan Papavasiliou, J. Vakros, M. Kuśmierz, W. Gac, Y. Georgiou, Y. Deligiannakis, G. Avgouropoulos, Copper-promoted ceria catalysts for CO oxidation reaction, Cat. Today 355 (2020) 647-653.
14. T. Kondratowicz, M. Drozdek, M. Michalik, W. Gac, M. Gajewska, P. Kuśtrowski, Catalytic activity of Pt species variously dispersed on hollow ZrO₂ spheres in combustion of volatile organic compounds, Appl. Surf. Sci 513 (2020) 145788.
15. A. Machocki, W. Gac, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, W. Zawadzki, UMCS, Patent Nr 234050 (B1).  Sposób otrzymywania katalizatora do reformingu parowego metanolu, Wiadomości Urzędu Patentowego RP 1/2020.
16. W. Gac,  W. Zawadzki, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, A. Machocki, J. Papavasiliou, G. Avgouropoulos, Investigation of the inhibiting role of hydrogen in the steam reforming of methanol, ChemCatChem 11 (2019) 3264-3278. 
17. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, M. Rotko, G. Słowik, M. Greluk, CO₂ Methanation in the presence of Ce-promoted alumina supported nickel catalysts: H₂S deactivation Studies, Top. Cat. 62 (2019) 524-534.
18. S. Neuberg, H. Pennemann, V. Shanmugam, R. Thiermann, R. Zapf, W. Gac, M. Greluk, W. Zawadzki, G. Kolb, CO₂ methanation in microstructured reactors – catalyst development and process design, Chem. Eng. Tech. 42 (2019) 1-10.
19. W. Gac, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, Y. Millot, L. Valentin, S. Dzwigaj, Effects of dealumination on the performance of Ni-containing BEA catalysts in bioethanol steam reforming, Appl. Catal. B 237 (2018) 94–109. 
20. W. Gac, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, S. Turczyniak-Surdacka, Structural and surface changes of cobalt modified manganese oxide during activation and ethanol steam reforming reaction, Appl. Surf. Sci. 440 (2018) 1047–1062. 
21. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, G. Słowik, A. Sienkiewicz, A. Kierys, Nickel catalysts supported on silica microspheres for CO₂ methanation, Micropor. Mesopor. Mater. 272 (2018) 79–91.
22. E. Łastawiecka, A. Flis, M. Stankevič, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, W. Gac, P-Arylation of secondary phosphine oxides catalyzed by nickel-supported nanoparticles, Org. Chem. Front., 5 (2018) 2079-2085. 
23. S. Turczyniak, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, W. Gac, S. Zafeiratos, A. Machocki, Surface state and catalytic performance of ceriasSupported cobalt catalysts in the steam reforming of ethanol, ChemCatChem, 9 (2017) 782-797.
24. W. Gac. T. Borowiecki, P. Kowalik, Nickel nanocatalysts for methane steam reforming, Nanontechnology in Catalysis (Eds. B. Sels, M. Van de Voorde), Viley-Vch, Verlag GmbH& Co KGaA, 2017. s. 401-419. 
25. W. Gac, G. Słowik, W. Zawadzki, Structural and surface changes of copper modified manganese oxides, Appl. Surf. Sci. 370 (2016) 536–544.
26. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, G. Słowik, J. Pawlonka, A. Machocki, A. Lipke, M. Majdan, The effects of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant on alumina modified zinc oxides, Mater. Res. Bull. 78 (2016) 36–45.
27. W. Gac, W. Zawadzki, G. Słowik, M. Greluk, J. Pawlonka, A. Machocki, Chromium-modified zinc oxides, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim 125 (2016) 1205–1215.
28. J. Pawlonka, W. Gac, M. Greluk, G. Słowik, Application of microemulsion method for development of methanol steam reforming Pd/ZnO catalysts, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim.  125 (2016) 1265-1272.
29. P. Borowski, W. Gac,  P. Pulay, K. Woliński, The vibrational spectrum of 1,4-dioxane in aqueous solution – theory and experiment, New J. Chem., 40 (2016) 7663-7.

Article reviews

Revision of the articles to the international journals: Applied Catalysis B, Microporous & Mesoporous Materials, Applied Surface Science, Chemical Engineering Journal, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Catalysis Today, Catalysis Letters.

Stay abroad

Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, Institute of Chemical Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Processes, Patras, Greece: 2001 – ½ month, 2003 – ½ month, 2007 – ¼ month, 2008 - ¼ month; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, Strasbourg) (France) – ¼ month, 1/2 month Drezden and Lipsk Fraunhofer/TUD, and 1/2 month Yorktown Heights (IBM), USA.

Participation in periodic short meetings in foreign research centres during realization of international research projects.

Participation in the international scientific conferences.

Awards and prizes

Individual III^o Award of the Rector of UMCS - for the achievements in the acquiring of the funds within the projects co-founded from EU - 2010.

Individual II^o Award of the Rector of UMCS - for the particularly important and creative achievements in the academic year 2004/2005.

Award of the Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry UMCS - award master's thesis in the academic year 1991/1992.