Johan A. Martens was born in Brussels, Belgium, on January 22, 1958.

He obtained his Master of Science degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering in 1981, and a Ph.D. in Applied Biological Sciences, 1985, both at K.U. Leuven, Belgium.

Currently, he is full professor at the K.U. Leuven and affiliated with the Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis. Since 2005, Johan A. Martens is head of the department of Microbial and Molecular Systems. He is also the spokesman of the Centre of Excellence in Catalytic Science at K.U. Leuven.

His teaching assignments are in the area of physical chemistry, surface and solid state chemistry, adsorption and air pollution abatement technology.

Johan A. Martens is author of 1 book on zeolite synthesis, over 250 scientific papers and book chapters, editor of 4 books and inventor of 25 patents. He was granted the Educational Grant Award of the International Precious Metals Institute, 1986, for ‘Shape selective metal catalysis in zeolites’, the Exxon Chemical Biannual European Science and Engineering Award, 1995, for ‘pioneering research in heterogeneous catalysis for hydrocarbon and natural feedstocks’ and held the Seghers Better Technology Chair in Environmental Catalysis at K.U.Leuven (2000-2001). He was Council member of the International Zeolite Association (1998-2004) and Vice-president of this association in the period 2001-2004. His main research interest is on surface chemistry, sol-gel processes, synthesis of microporous and mesoporous oxides and hierarchical materials, zeolites, nanomaterials, environmental catalysis, adsorption and separation processes, petroleum refining processes, environmental catalysis, high throughput experimentation and microgravity research.

Johan A. Martens initiated the foundation of two spin off companies of K.U. Leuven University: M4E N.V. and ZISCOAT N.V.