Research Leader Laura Gagliardi receives Eni Energy Frontiers Award

One of the globe’s top honors for groundbreaking energy research has gone to one of the University of Chicago’s brightest minds.

On Thursday, Richard and Kathy Leventhal Prof. Laura Gagliardi of the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and Chemistry Department received the Eni Energy Frontiers Award at a ceremony in Rome. The award, granted by Italian energy company Eni S.p.A., recognizes “research with the potential to transform the future energy landscape.” 

Italian President Sergio Mattarella, alongside Chairwoman of the Eni Board of Directors Giuseppina Di Foggia and Eni Chief Executive Officer Claudio Descalzi, presented the award at Palazzo del Quirinale, the president’s official residence.

“It is an extraordinary palace, where you can feel the history of Rome and Italy all around you.” said Gagliardi, who was born, raised and educated in Italy. “Receiving the award from President Mattarella, whom I greatly admire and respect, was a deeply moving experience. Having spent much of my professional life outside Italy, it was particularly meaningful to return to my home country for such an important recognition. It was a moment of great pride and emotion that I will always remember.”

Gagliardi thanked collaborators, colleagues and the University of Chicago, but gave special credit to two groups.

“This recognition would not have been possible without the exceptional students and postdoctoral researchers I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career,” she said. “Their creativity, dedication, and enthusiasm have been essential to everything we have accomplished.”

Gagliardi was recognized for the development of advanced mathematical models based on quantum mechanics that can predict the properties of materials before they are synthesized in the laboratory, helping to accelerate experimentation.

“Her work focuses on designing innovative materials for energy and environmental applications, including porous frameworks that act as molecular sponges, capable of capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air and harvesting water from atmospheric humidity,” an Eni press statement reads. “Her research also contributes to improving the efficiency of catalytic processes, creating new opportunities for the development of more sustainable energy technologies.”

Gagliardi’s research lives at the intersection between the theoretical and the practical. Through the Gagliardi Group’s interdisciplinary research and her leadership roles in the UChicago Energy Transition Network and the Center for Advanced Materials for Environmental Solutions, she spearheads innovative partnerships that streamline the transition from lab insight to real-world impact.

“Much of my career has been devoted to developing theoretical and computational methods to understand the behavior of molecules and materials,” she said. “It is especially rewarding to see how these fundamental advances can contribute to addressing important societal challenges, including climate change, energy sustainability, and access to clean water.”

For the past 18 years, the Energy Frontiers Award has been one of the three main prizes Eni grants to honor researchers whose work is helping advance climate solutions. This year’s Energy Transition Award went to Oxford University Prof. Véronique Gouverneur and the Advanced Environmental Solutions Award went to John F. Hartwig of UC-Berkeley. 

The ceremony also recognizes climate leaders in other categories, including promising startups, young researchers, young talent from Africa and innovators from within Eni itself.

Gagliardi said the Eni honors reflect the importance of fundamental research, work motivated by curiosity without knowing where the answers will lead. 

“Research is full of challenges and uncertainties,” she said. “Sometimes ideas do not work, and we spend years pursuing directions that do not lead to the results we expected. But this is part of doing science. We need to have the courage to try new ideas, accept that we may fail, and not give up. Some of the most important discoveries come from taking risks and being persistent.”