The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) presented awards to 15 leaders and innovators in chemical engineering, at a ceremony on November 13 held in connection with the 2022 AIChE Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, November 13–18.
AIChE’s highest honor, the Founders Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Chemical Engineering, was presented to Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut.
Laurencin, who is also Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, is known internationally for his research in biomaterials science, nanotechnology, and drug delivery systems. He pioneered the development of polymer-ceramic composite materials and nanofiber technologies for tissue regeneration. In the process, he has integrated his research with biology, engineering, and medicine to establish the new field of regenerative engineering. His work has provided the foundation for new directions in the production of medical devices for musculoskeletal applications.
Dr. Laurencin is the first surgeon to be elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Inventors. He has also contributed to mentoring and fostering diversity in the workforce, and has inspiring a generation of underrepresented engineers and scientists.
In addition, AIChE honored these exemplary chemical engineers:
Dr. Christine B. Seymour, a former AIChE President and Senior Director of Oncology and Rare Disease Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control at Pfizer Inc., received the F. J. and Dorothy Van Antwerpen Award for Service to AIChE. The award is sponsored by The Dow Chemical Company.
Dr. Fikile Brushett, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received the Allan P. Colburn Award for Excellence in Publications by a Young Member of the Institute. The award is sponsored by DuPont.
Dr. Patrick Doyle, the Robert T. Haslam (1911) Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, received the Alpha Chi Sigma Award for Chemical Engineering Research. The award is sponsored by the Alpha Chi Sigma Educational Foundation and the Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity.
Dr. Rachel Segalman, the Warren K. Schlinger Department Chair in Chemical Engineering and the Edward Noble Kramer Chair of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara, received the Andreas Acrivos Award for Professional Progress in Chemical Engineering. The award is endowed by The AIChE Foundation.
Timothy J. Hebrink, Senior Staff Scientist at the 3M Company, received the Energy and Sustainability Award. The Award is sponsored by Air Products.
Dr. Paul A. Larsen, Associate Laureate at Corteva Agriscience, received the Industrial Progress Award.
Dr. Jose E. Tabora, Senior Scientific Director at Bristol Myers Squibb, received the Industrial Research and Development Award. The Award is sponsored by AbbVie.
Dr. Christopher J. Pope, an independent chemical engineering researcher and consultant, received the Award for Service to Society.
Dr. Hans Wijmans, President of Membrane Technology and Research, Inc., received the Institute Award for Excellence in Industrial Gases Technology. The award is sponsored by Linde.
Dr. Paul M. Witt, Technical Leader at the Dow Chemical Company, received the Lawrence B. Evans Award in Chemical Engineering Practice. The award is endowed by The AIChE Foundation.
Dr. Rena Bizios, the Lutcher Brown Endowed Chair Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio, received the Margaret Hutchinson Rousseau Pioneer Award for Lifetime Achievement by a Woman Chemical Engineer. The award is sponsored by Pfizer.
Dr. Phillip E. Savage, Professor of Chemical Engineering and the Walter L. Robb Family Chair and Department Head at Pennsylvania State University, received the R. H. Wilhelm Award in Chemical Reaction Engineering. The award is sponsored by ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company.
Dr. Liang-Shih Fan, Distinguished University Professor, John Easton Professor of Engineering, and Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The Ohio State University, received the Warren K. Lewis Award for Chemical Engineering Education. The award is sponsored by ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company.
Dr. Eleftherios (Terry) Papoutsakis, the Unidel Eugene duPont Professor at the University of Delaware, received the William H. Walker Award for Excellence in Contributions to Chemical Engineering Literature. The award is sponsored by John Wiley & Sons.
“The chemical engineers that we honor this evening are contributing to our profession’s legacy,” said Christine S. Grant, President of AIChE. “Their achievements are of lasting value to our profession and the world — and an inspiration to the next generation.”
Profiles of all the award recipients are posted at AIChE's ChEnected blog. For more information about AIChE awards, visit www.aiche.org/awards.