José A. Rodriguez is Interim Chair of the Chemistry Division and a Senior Chemist at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), where he leads the Catalysis: Reactivity and Structure Group and co‑leads the Synchrotron Catalysis Consortium at NSLS‑II. A renowned expert in catalysis and surface science, he investigates molecular interactions on metals, oxides, sulfides, and carbides using advanced synchrotron techniques, including x‑ray absorption spectroscopy and photoemission. His research advances cleaner fuels, CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol, and greenhouse‑gas mitigation. Born in Venezuela, Rodriguez earned dual B.S. and M.S. degrees from Simón Bolívar University and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Indiana University, followed by postdoctoral work at Texas A&M. He has authored more than 1,300 publications, holds an h‑index of 123 with over 60,000 citations, and is a DOE Distinguished Scientist Fellow and Fellow of the American Vacuum Society.