UTOLEDO CHEMICAL ENGINEERING NEWS - 2013
Three Students Recognized at College Commencement
December 2013: Three ChemE students were recognized for their accomplishments at the
fall 2013 commencement: 1) Madison Herman received the Outstanding Student Leader
Award, 2) Joanne Beckwith received the Outstanding Senior for College Contributions
Award, and 3) Jordan Keefe received the Outstanding Senior for Campus and Community
Contributions Award. Congratulations to all.
Kazem Ardakani Recipient of Phi Kappa Phi Award
December 2013: Doctoral student Kazem Ardakani received Phi Kappa Phi's Award of Excellence in recognition
of superior academic achievement.
Joanne Beckwith Named 2013-14 Tau Beta Pi Scholar
October 2013: This past summer, Joanne Beckwith was named a Tau Beta Pi Scholar for
2013-14. Joanne is a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Omega Chi
Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society, and UT ballroom dance society. She plans
on pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry after graduation. The complete list of scholars is
availablehere.
CHEE Student Speaks with President about Tutoring
October 2013: CHEE student Meri Mullins speaks with President Jacobs about her experiences
as a tutor in the Learning Enhancement Center in the October 11 edition of The President's
Message. The video is available here.
Professor Escobar Interviewed by AIChE
September 2013: Professor Escobar was interviewed for AIChE's Women in Chemical Technology
series. You may hear her interview and that of the other women in the serieshere.
Asapu Wins Poster Competition
September 2013: Congratulations to Sunitha Asapu, PhD candidate in Chemical Environmental
Engineering, who won the Ohio Section American Water Works Association 2013 Annual
Student Poster Competition. Pictured with Sunitha are organizers of the student poster
competition.
Zalesak and Rice Receive AIChE Awards
September 2013: Congratulations to Cory Zalesak for receipt of the 2012-13 AIChE Outstanding
Freshman Award and Clayton Rice for receipt of the 2012-13 AIChE Sophomore Academic
Excellence Award. Both awards cover the registration cost of the 2013 Annual Student
Conference and provide a $50 travel allowance.
Professor Varanasi Receives Patent
August 2013: Congratulations to Professor Varanasi for receipt of US Patent 8,507,232
entitled "Methods for Fermentation of Xylose and Hexose Sugars". Co-inventors include
former CHEE graduate student Kripa Rao, current BIOE Professor Relue, and former BIOE
graduate student Dawei Yuan.
Student Collects Shoes for Haiti
August 2013: CHEE senior, Jordan Keefe, has collected more than 1,000 shoes for his
non-profit, Save the Feet to distribute in Haiti. Way to go Jordan! Read more here.
Professor Escobar Named Editor of IDA Journal
July 2013: Professor Escobar has been appointed editor-in-chief of the International
Desalination Association (IDA) Journal of Desalination & Water Reuse. Read more about
the Journal and Professor Escobar's appointment here.
CHEE Students Featured in hiVelocity
July 2013: CHEE alum, Joe Trimble, and current CHEE student, Elyssa Knotts were featured
in a recent article on Ohio co-ops and interns published by hiVelocity. Both Joe and
Elyssa co-oped at ABB in Wickliffe, OH. The article is availablehere.
Professors Kim and Lapitsky Awarded Research Funding
June 2013: Congratulations to Professor Kim for receiving two awards and to Professor
Lapitsky for receiving one award from the 2013 Ohio Third Frontier Technology Validation
and Start-Up Fund! The press release is availablehere.
Professor Escobar Hosts STEM Panels
May 2013: Dr. Escobar moderated two panel discussions with UT professors and students on opportunities
and careers related to STEM. The discussion were streamlined live to local K-12 schools
and are archived at knowledgestream.org.
Professor Lipscomb Receives University Outstanding Teacher Award
April 2013: Congratulations to Dr. Glenn Lipscomb who was the recipient of a 2013
University of Toledo Outstanding Teacher Award! He was presented the award on April
22nd in a ceremony held in the Student Union.
Chanda Raine Receives College Outstanding Staff Award
April 2013: On Friday, March 22, 2013 the College of Engineering presented Chanda
Raine the 2013 College of Engineering Outstanding Staff Award during its annual Spring
Honors Convocation. Congratulations Chanda!
Professor Dismukes Recognized for Service
April 2013: Dr. John Dismukes was recognized at the Spring Honors Convocation for
his years of service and dedication to the Chemical Engineering Department. Dr. Dismukes
will be retiring at the end of the spring 2013 semester. Thank you and best wishes,
Dr. Dismukes!
Omega Chi Epsilon Initiates 17 New Members
April 2013: Congratulations to the new initiates of Omega Chi Epsilon: Abdullah al
Albalushi, Joanne Beckwith, Erick Danyi, Kelsey Dudics, Patrik Eskandari, Timothy
Frederici, Elyssa Knotts, Anthony Paul, Paxton Pickrell, Hannah Placzek, Jessica Roggenbuck,
Alexander Rossi, Michael Sekerak, Troy Thompson, Adam Wierwille, Brittany Wilkewitz,
Tom Wilkins. The Department is fortunate to have so many scholars who freely give
their time to help others be successful.
AIChE Student Chapter Wins Car Competition
March 2013: Congratulations to the AIChE Student Chapter for taking first place in
the Chem-E Car Competition held March 23, 2013 during the AIChE North Central Student
Regional Conference at the University of Cincinnati. The team will travel to San Francisco
in November to represent the North Central Region at the AIChE National Student Conference
as part of the 2013 AIChE Annual Meeting.
Prof. Coleman and OI Collaborate
February 2013: Owens-Illinois Inc. and The University of Toledo College of Engineering
have signed a three-year agreement that will enhance research at the company's new
R&D Collaboration Center. UT will contribute state-of-the-art equipment to the effort
as well as graduate student support under the supervison of Professor Maria Coleman.
Clickhere to access the UT News article.
Prof. Escobar Visits Abu Dhabi
February 2013: As part of a team from UT, Professor Isabel Escobar attended the World
Future Energy Summit and discussed her research with governmental representatives
in Abu Dhabi. Click on the image to access the UT News article.
Algae Research Reported in Columbus Dispatch
February 2013: The work of Professors Viamajala and Varanasi to develop bioproducts
from algae was highlighted in the Columbus Dispatch. Please clickhere to read more.
Biomass Research in the News
February 2013: Read more about the the efforts of Professors Schall, Viamajala, and
Varanasi to "Unwrap Biomass" on the The University of Toledo Research Enterpriseweb site.
URS Seeks Process Engineer
January 2013: URS Corporation is seeking a Process Engineer to be based in Oregon,
OH. Interested Candidates may apply towww.bestworkofyourlife.com to EC75507. Minimum Requirements: BS ChE, Less than 12 months experience, US Citizen
or Permanent Resident. Preferred Qualifications: FE, Familiar with Aspen, Hysis, Arrow,
and/or Fathom, Previous internship with URS Corporation