Wu named associate editor for Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy
Gang Wu to help advance catalysis and sustainable energy research as associate editor
Gang Wu, professor of energy, environmental & chemical engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering Washington University in St. Louis, has been appointed as an associate editor for Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, a journal in the field of catalysis for environmental and energy applications, evidenced by its impact factor of over 20 in 2024.
Wu, an electrochemical science and engineering expert, joined WashU in 2024. His research focuses on advanced electrocatalysis and catalysis for hydrogen and carbon-neutral electrochemical energy technologies, including polymer electrolyte fuel cells, water electrolysis, CO₂ reduction, electrosynthesis and carbon-free nitrogen electrochemistry. He also explores clean energy-related heterogeneous catalysis for ammonia synthesis and hydrogen storage solutions.
Wu described his appointment as associate editor of the journal as a fitting opportunity to contribute to research on advanced catalysis and electrocatalysis for energy and environmental sustainability. In this role, he aims to collaborate with reviewers and authors to enhance the journal’s impact.
He also said he values the opportunity to promote the visibility and impact of chemical engineering education and research at WashU. As an associate editor, Wu will handle the relevant manuscripts and work with the authors and reviewers in the journal, ensuring that submissions meet the journal’s high standards for novelty, impact, scientific soundness and research integrity.
Beyond his editorial responsibilities, Wu offered advice to early-career researchers, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing high-quality and influential research over solely focusing on publishing papers.
"Publication is important, but conducting high-impact research to add knowledge to fundamental understanding and applied technologies is the critical foundation. Every piece of data must be reliable, reproducible and contribute meaningfully to the field," Wu said.
Wu also encouraged young scientists to focus on developing their critical thinking and experimental design skills, which he said he sees as essential for making meaningful contributions to society.
"Carrying out research for graduate students is a comprehensive training process. It’s not only about publishing papers but also about exploring the unknown, building knowledge and designing innovative materials and technologies to address global challenges," Wu said.
Wu views his editorial role as serving the scientific community by upholding and delivering high-quality research.
"Being a scientist means giving back to society. As an associate editor, I can support the work of other researchers while also strengthening the field of catalysis," Wu said.
As a leading scientist in sustainable electrocatalysis, Wu has published more than 350 papers in prestigious journals, accumulating approximately 60,000 citations with an H-index of 132 (Google Scholar, February 2025). He has been recognized as a highly cited researcher by Clarivate Analytics since 2018. In addition to his new role at Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, Wu has served as an associate editor for the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, a flagship journal for the American Electrochemical Society founded in 1902.
