Dr. Michael Rauch

In the Department of Organic Chemistry at Weizmann, Dr. Rauch will be working in the area of green catalysis, developing methods towards environmentally benign synthetic methodology, such as catalytic utilization of carbon dioxide. For example, using metal-ligand cooperation (MLC), catalysts will be developed aiming to convert aromatics to alcohols via CO₂ and H₂, hopefully resulting in a completely new mode of catalytically utilizing CO₂ and opening new pathways for green chemistry. The lab at Weizmann where Dr. Rauch will be is one of the leading research groups that develops environmentally benign synthetic processes.

Dr. Rauch’s PhD in Chemistry is from Columbia University in New York. As a graduate student, he synthesized main group metal hydride, alkyl and fluoride complexes with various catalytic applications. As an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis, he worked with his mentor in the field of chemical education to investigate why students migrate out of STEM fields, and developed active learning techniques to improve results and retention.

Outside of the lab, Dr. Rauch co-founded ScholarBridge, an online resource for helping undergraduates find research mentors across college campuses. Eventually the tool was sold and integrated into a platform operated by another company.