UTOLEDO CHEMICAL ENGINEERING NEWS - 2015
Seniors Receive College Awards
December 2015: Four seniors were honored at the Fall 2015 Commencement with awards
given in recognition of their accomplishments. From top to bottom they are: Scott
Grekowicz, Senior Scholar; Jared Dupes, Outstanding Student Leader Award; Lucy Hosenfeld,
Outstanding Senior for Campus and Community Contributions; Erin Gordon, College of
Engineering Pride Award.
Seniors Display Musical Talent;
December 2015: Our 2015-16 senior class possesses some serious musical talent. Watch
this very cool video that they put together about their time at UT and the friends
and memories that were made!
CHEE Welcome Three New Faculty
September 2015: Please help us welcome three new faculty members (from left to right):
Ana Alba-Rubio, Matthew Liberatore, and Thihal Ponnaiyan.
Prof. Alba-Rubio joins us from the University of Wisconsin at Madison where she was a Post-doctoral fellow. She possesses a PhD in Heterogeneous Catalysis from the University of Madrid (Spain) and BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Malaga (Spain).
Prof. Liberatore joins from Colorado School of Mines where he was an Associate Professor. He possesses a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois and was a Post-doctoral fellow at the University of Delaware.
Prof. Ponnaiyan worked with Profs. Varanasi and Schall on his doctoral dissertation. He possesses a BTech in Chemical Engineering from Anna University (India), an MBA from Cardiff University (UK) and an MS in Advanced Chemical Engineering from Imperial College (UK).
Jacob Beakas Receives AIChE Freshman Recognition Award
September 2015: Congratulations to Jake Beakas for receiving the Freshman Recognition
award given in recognition of being the most active freshman in the UT AIChE student
chapter. The award includes free registration to the Annual Student Conference, partial
reimbursement of travel expenses to the Annual Student Conference, and a Certificate
of Recognition as well as recognition on the AIChE web site.
Zachary Holtzapple Receives AIChE Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence Award
September 2015: Congratulations to Zach Holtzapple for receiving the Othmer Sophomore
Academic Excellence Award given in recognition of attaining the highest scholastic
grade-point average during the freshman and sophomore years. The award includes free
registration to the Annual Student Conference, partial reimbursement of travel expenses
to the Annual Student Conference, and a Certificate of Recognition as well as recognition
on the AIChE web site.
Dr. Schall Named Graduate Council Vice Chair
May 2015: Professor Connie Schall was elected Vice Chair of the Graduate Council for
2016. She will ascend to the Chair position in 2017. Congratulations Dr. Schall.
Alessandra Krusciel Named ISA VP
May 2015: Alessandra Krusciel was elected Vice President (VP) of the UT International
Student Association (ISA) for 2015-16. She joined our department in fall 2014 as part
of an exchange program with Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Rio Grande do Sul.
Congratulations Alessandra.
AIChE Helps Students to Walk on Water
April 2015: The UT AIChE student chapter assisted with the Non-Newtonian Fluid Walk.
The event was sponsored by Marathon Petroleum Company and held in the Engineering
courtyard. Students also had the opportunity to talk with Marathon representatives
about co-op positions.
Dr. Seo Sigma Xi Young Investigator Recipient
April 2015: Dr. Youngwoo Seo, professor in The University of Toledo Chemical & Environmental
Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments, is the recipient of the Eleni and Evangelos
Theodosious Sigma Xi Young Investigator Research Award. Congrats, Dr. Seo!
AIChE Walks Away with Honors at Water Event
April 2015: Congratulations to UT's American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
chapter for taking home the trophy yesterday at the UT Walk for Water event! AIChE
received the top honor for "Most Water Carried" and "Most Money Raised". Walkers carried
jugs filled with water during the 5K to simulate the work women and children in developing
countries do every day to obtain water. AIChE members also raised over $2,000 which
will assist the group, Clean Water for the World, in their efforts to provide water
purification units at no cost to local communities in developing countries.
Professor Lipscomb University of Bologna Senior Visiting Fellowship Recipient
April 2015: Professor Glenn Lipscomb has received a Senior Visiting Fellowship from
the Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of Bologna, the oldest university
in Europe. The Fellowship will allow him to pursue collaborative research opportunities
with University faculty this summer. Congratulations Professor Lipscomb!
Professor Varanasi Receives University of Toledo Outstanding Faculty Research Award
April 2015: Professor Sasidhar Varanasi is a recipient of the 2015 University of Toledo
Outstanding Faculty Research Award. The highest award given by the University for
research, it recognizes his work on the conversion of biomass to fuels and other products
as well as his exemplary record of service and mentorship for students and faculty.Congratulations
Professor Varanasi.
Professor Viamajala Receives Grant for Algae Research
April 2015: Congratulations to Professor Viamajala for receipt of a grant to improve
the production of fuels and products from algae. See the article in theToledo Blade.
Professor Escobar Receives Rathun Outreach and Engagement Award
March 2015: Congratulations to Professor Escobar for receipt of the 2015 Edith Rathbun
Outreach and Engagement Excellence Award!
Professor Viamajala Receives College Excellence in Research Award
March 2015: Congratulations to Professor Viamajala for receipt of the 2015 College
of Engineering Excellence in Research Award!
Professor Lapitsky Receives College Excellence in Supervision of UG Research Award
March 2015: Congratulations to Professor Lapitsky for receipt of the 2015 College
of Engineering Excellence in Supervision of Undergraduate Research Award!
AIChE ChemE Car Team Qualifies for Nationals
March 2015: Congratulations to our AIChE Student Chapter ChemE Car Team for taking
fourth place at the North Central Student Regional Conference held on the campus of
the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign Feb 27 - Mar 1, 2015. The team qualifies
for participation in the national competition for the third straight year. Next stop
Salt Lake City!
AIChE Award Received by Professor Kim
January 2015: AIChE has awarded Professor Dong Shik Kim a Project Connect Award to
support activities of the Toledo AIChE Section. Congratulations!
Professor Escobar Elected NAMS VP
January 2015: Professor Isabel Escobar was elected incoming Vice President of the
North American Membrane Society. After her service as VP for one year, she will become
President in the subseqent year. Congratulations!