This symposium honors Prof. Mercouri Kanatzidis for his transformative contributions to inorganic chemistry and materials science. As a Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University and Senior Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, he has mentored hundreds of students and fellows worldwide. Kanatzidis is recognized for pioneering breakthroughs in chalcogenide materials, thermoelectrics, and halide perovskites. His development of chemical sorbents for radioactive waste, nanostructuring strategies in thermoelectrics, and the introduction of halide perovskites in solar cells have revolutionized these fields. With over 1,500 publications, 200,000 citations, 60 patents, and numerous prestigious awards, including induction into the National Academy of Sciences and the naming of the mineral "kanatzidisite" in his honor, his work continues to shape the future of advanced materials and energy technologies.