Dr. Simon R. Bare is a distinguished scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. He earned his B.Sc. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Surface Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, UK. He was a postdoctoral fellow at both Cornell University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He then transitioned in industry and held various positions in catalyst research at The Dow Chemical Company over 10 years, and then at UOP, a Honeywell Company for 19 years. He then had a career change and joined Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in 2016.

His research is focused on in-situ/operando catalyst characterization using techniques available at synchrotrons, with a focus on X-ray absorption spectroscopy to develop structure-property relationships. He enjoys developing and applying new catalyst characterization techniques. His group, the Consortium for Operando and Advanced Catalyst Characterization via Electronic Spectroscopy and Structure (Co-ACCESS), develops methodology to allow any catalysis researcher to perform their experiments effectively, efficiently, and safely at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL). His group currently collaborates with over 30 catalysis-focused research groups in the US and globally. He has authored over 200 publications and holds 10 US patents.

He is a fellow of the AAAS and had held many leadership positions including being a member of BESAC from 2008-2017. Mentorship, encouragement, and inclusivity are high on his value system. He fully embraces the concept that collaboration is the key to drive science forward of we are to meet the climate goals of 2030 and 2050. It was a pleasure to have Simon on PodCAT!