Born in 1936, Ertl studied physics in Stuttgart, Munich and Paris from 1955 until 1961. In 1965, he earned his doctorate from the Technical University of Munich, followed by his habilitation just two years later. Between 1968 and 1973, he was a professor and director at the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Technical University of Hanover (today: Leibniz University of Hanover), before moving to the University of Munich (LMU). From 1986 until his retirement in 2004, he was director of the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute (FHI) of the Max Planck Society in Berlin.

His research focuses on the field of so-called surface chemistry. His work on catalysis has made a key contribution to explaining many previously unknown processes of industrial catalysis. His findings are of major importance for many processes used in industry. For example, only his research made it possible to fully understand the processes in car catalysts.

Gerhard Ertl is the recipient of numerous awards and prizes, including eight honorary professorships. In 2007 he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

On the occasion of the Bohlmann Lecture, the Technical University of Berlin will make Gerhard Ertl an honorary member. The university thus honors an extraordinary scientist and one of the most important chemical scientists of our time.

The Schering Stiftung sponsors the lecture in order to strengthen the international networking among scientists and to make visible renowned experts as role models for young scientists. In addition, the lecture makes it possible for a broader, interested public to learn about the latest scientific findings.