Jose Zagal Moya, a Professor Emeritus of Santiago de Chile University, the 2024 winner of The National Chile Prize in Natural Sciences, was awarded an Honorary Diploma of the Global Energy Association for the outstanding contribution into the development of Latin America energy sector.
The official ceremony took place in the honorary conference-room of Santiago University. Professor Zagal is currently in Germany; hence, his niece Alexandra Zagal received the diploma for him. The award was delivered by Sergey Brilev, the Chairman of the Global Energy Association.
Professor Zagal holds one of the leading positions in global science thanks to his research in electrochemistry and energy engineering. He graduated from Chilean University in 1973, then he defended his Doctoral thesis in chemistry in Case Western Reserve University (Ohio, USA), completed his post-doctoral studies in Brookhaven National Laboratory (New York), worked as a visiting researcher in the universities of Argentine, Brazil, Mexico, the USA, France and Italy.
In 1996, Zagal was appointed President of the Natural Sciences Department of Chilean University by the decision of the Commission chaired by the Noble Prize winner нобелевского лауреата Rudolph Marcus. In 2011, the President of Chile issued a Decree appointing him a member of the High Council of Science of Chile; Zagal also headed the Chilean Section of Electrochemical Society (ECS).
In 2025, Jose Zagal was included into the short list of the Global Energy Prize for his fundamental research in rational design of new inexpensive electro-catalytical materials for oxygen recovery in fuel cells and in other electrochemical processes. He was the fourth representative of Latin America in history honored in this way.
In his video communication the professor emphasized:
“It is a great honor for me to receive this award at the current stage of my life and my professional career. The prize is especially meaningful for Chile, where resumable energy and green hydrogen projects are progressing. Our university has already received four National Prizes, which confirms the quality of our research. During our study we looked at electrodes for fuel cells and clean energy conversion systems. We have patents and publications strongly demanded at the international level. Chile is becoming an electrified nation: e-vehicles are becoming part of our everyday life; green hydrogen opens up new perspectives. I am grateful to Santiago University for being my home during 52 years, to my students and colleagues. An I want to call on the younger generation: fight for your cause even when it looks like Utopia — this is what takes us forward”.
Vidal Rojas, the Rector of Santiago University, noted that Professor Zagal’s award had a deep symbolic meaning:
“The world is undergoing the times, when climate challenges require strong action. Being a government university, we are proud of the fact that Professor Zagal devoted his research to electrochemistry and to developing the clean energy mechanisms, which are extremely needed today to assure sustainable future for our planet and for the new generations. We thank him for his contribution to science and for the international recognition of our university due to his studies”.
Zagal’s former students also spoke with special gratitude. Dafne Pino Riffo, the Regional Secretary of Energy for Region of Antofagasta remarked:
“Professor Zagal explained to us that science should not be contained in the labs, it should be channeled to the public. This approach coincides with the current course of the Chilean Government towards fair energy transition — meaning not only substituting coal-fired CHPPs with RES, but also a deep transformation of the model for the sake of environmental balance and social equity”.
Sergey Brilev, the President of the Global Energy Association stated:
“Jose Zagal dedicated his entire experience to science and is rightfully considered one of the most prominent researchers in the world. His inclusion into the short list of the Global Energy Prize is the best confirmation of this. He is the fourth Latin American in the history of the Prize. We would like to thank Professor Zagal for his outstanding contribution into development of energy science, and we are proud of the fact that he is now the holder of the Honorary Diploma of the Association. We hope our cooperation with Santiago University continues”.
The leaders of Chilean academic community were present at the ceremony: Servet Martinez, the winner of the 1993 National Prize in STEM disciplines; Fabian Jaksic, the winner of 2024 National Prize in natural sciences; Monica Rubio, the winner of 2024 National Prize in STEM disciplines, Cesar Ross, the winner of 2024 National Prize in history.
