Texas ChE graduated 31 Ph.D. and 124 undergraduate students. We offered the largest May Term study-abroad cohort to date. We celebrated an induction into the National Engineering Academy and myriad professional accomplishments by our faculty and alumni. Securing of national funding will ensure the continuation of cutting-edge research aimed at solving the world’s most pressing challenges.
Take a look at some of McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering’s highlights from students, faculty and alumni over the last 12 months.
ALUMS TOM + VAN TRUSKETT ON TEXAS LEADER COVER
Professor Tom Truskett and his wife, Van Truskett, both Texas ChE alums (B.S. '96), made the cover of Texas Leader magazine. They share their path to making an unrestricted planned gift to support the department and talk of their first-hand experience of how donor generosity can have a life-changing impact on research and students. Learn how you can make an impact and support Texas ChE through philanthropy. >>> Read their story.
TEXAS AIChE LAUNCHES THE CHEMMUNICATOR
Student-led Texas AIChE chapter, founded in 1941, is the hub of chemical engineering at UT Austin, providing students with resources to enhance their time at UT Austin and beyond. Eyeing a broader audience, AIChE launched podcast: The Chemmunicator – "a student’s one-stop destination for all things education and career-related." Look for faculty and industry-leaders' interviews and tips for thriving in one’s academic and professional journey.
2023 CLASS OF ACADEMY OF DISTINGUISHED CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
Texas ChE welcomed four honorees into the 2023 class of Academy of Distinguished Chemical Engineers: Tim Go, Toni Crawford, Steve Cramer and Tony Go. The highest honor bestowed by the department, inductees are respected leaders in Fortune 200 energy companies, process engineering, and academia (see banquet photos). Know of an exceptional ChE leader? Nominations are open for the class of 2024.
ESTEEMED FACULTY RECOGNITIONS
Professor Benny Freeman was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. Assistant Professor Brian Belardi received the Packard Science and Engineering Fellowship. Professor and Chair Delia Milliron received the Materials Research Society (MRS) Medal. Professor Michael Baldea was named Editor-in-Chief of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research Journal. >>> More 2023 department highlights.
STRONG TEXAS ChE PRESENCE AT AIChE ANNUAL MEETING
Professor Hal Alper received the Andreas Acrivos Award for Professional Progress, Professor Benny Freeman the Braskem Award for Excellence in Materials Engineering and Science, Professor and Chair Delia Milliron the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum (NSEF) Award, and Assistant Professor Joaquin Resasco and Alum Jovan Kamcev were both named 35 Under 35. >>> Read more AIChE Annual Meeting highlights.
NOTABLE STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Texas ChE graduated 31 Ph.D.’s from #7 Top Graduate Chemical Engineering program in the nation. Meet 5 graduates here. LatinX in ChE leaders honored with AIChE’s 2023 IDEAL Award; Fabiola Chapa Villareal, co-founder of LatinX in ChE and Ph.D. candidate with the Peppas Lab, David Alfonso Castilla-Casadeigo, postdoctoral scholar in the Rosales lab and Isabela Ramirez Velez , co-founder of LatinX in ChE and graduate research assistant. >>> More student stories.
LARGEST MAY TERM COHORT STUDIES ABROAD
With overseas travel bans lifted post-COVID, May Terms were opened to more students than ever. Engineering Global Health, led by Professor Jennifer Maynard, asked students to tackle pressing healthcare issues while in Barcelona, Spain. Professor Brian Korgel, Associate Prof. Nate Lynd and Assistant Prof. Joaquin Resasco, with the help of additional teaching assistants, welcomed 80 students to Japan for Advanced Nanotechnology + Innovation for Beginners.
THE 1ST ZERO WASTE TAILGATE AT UT AUSTIN
Texas ChE pulled off UT Austin’s first-ever Zero Waste tailgate during our much anticipated annual Alumni Weekend. With guidance from UT’s Resource Recovery team, student volunteers helped educate tailgaters at trash, recycle and compost receptacles about proper bin usage. We collectively achieved a 92% trash diversion rate from landfills and incinerators. And, special thanks to Chevron for sponsoring our tailgate. >>> See tailgate pictures!
TEXAS ChE LEADS NEW HY VELOCITY ENERGY HUB EFFORTS
A new HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub is a collaborative effort of academia, non-profit research organizations and leading energy companies, aimed at delivering clean hydrogen innovation and good-paying jobs to local communities in Texas and the Gulf Coast region. Professor Brian Korgel , and director of UT Energy Institute, offers insight into UT Austin as a founding member and long-term goals of the partnership. >>> Read more on the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub.
EMERGING FIELD OF MATERIALS RECOGNIZED
Through NSF's Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future grant program, Texas ChE Professors Tom Truskett, Delia Milliron and Adrianne Rosales, are leading research to drive the design, discovery and development of advanced materials. Separately, the Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials (CDCM), part of NSF's Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) program, will receive $18 million over six years to bring life to materials with enhanced properties and capabilities.
If you missed your McKetta Department Top 10 Highlights from 2023 email, update your contact information.
The McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering wishes you and yours a merry and safe holiday season.
