News

Maryam Mohebi Wins Departmental and People’s Choice Awards at the Annual College of Engineering Poster Competition

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A woman stands beside a research poster at a UConn engineering poster session, holding two certificates, including a People’s Choice Award. Additional posters and display boards are visible in the background of the indoor academic setting.Congratulations to Maryam Mohebi on being named the departmental winner at the 12th Annual UConn College of Engineering Poster Competition.

This event brought together graduate students from across the College of Engineering to showcase their research, highlighting the depth, innovation, and impact of their work. Maryam was also selected for the People’s Choice Award, reflecting both the quality of her research and her ability to communicate it effectively. Her work on Porous Liquid Crystalline Polymer Scaffolds for 3D Cell Culture, conducted under the guidance of Prof. Kelly Burke, was a standout among the presentations.

Organized by the College of Engineering Graduate Programs Office, the competition provides a valuable platform for students to present complex ideas in an accessible format while strengthening their professional communication skills. Participants shared their work with judges and attendees from academia and industry.

We congratulate Maryam on this recognition and look forward to seeing where her future research leads.

Read more on UConn Today.

Laurencin Ranked Number One in Orthopaedic Surgery in the U.S. by ScholarGPS

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Portrait of a man wearing a blue suit jacket, white shirt, and patterned bow tie, standing with arms crossed against a neutral gray background. He is smiling slightly and wearing several lapel pins and a pocket square.Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D., K.C.S.L., has been ranked number 1 in the U.S. in the Orthopaedic Surgery category for 2025 by ScholarGPS over the past 5 years! ScholarGPS ranks scholars based upon a rigorous quantitative assessment of contributions across multiple scientific layers. He is also ranked number 8 in the world.

Dr. Laurencin is the first to receive 4 of the principal honors in orthopaedic surgery in the U.S. He received the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA) Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedics Award with induction into the AOA Awards Hall of Fame, the Nicolas Andry Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, the Kappa Delta Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Marshall Urist Award from the Orthopaedic Research Society. He is also the first surgeon in history elected to all four of the U.S. national academies. He is also the first surgeon elected to all four U.S. national academies—the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors.

We congratulate Dr. Laurencin on this remarkable recognition and celebrate the continued impact of his work.

Read more on UConn Today.

McCutcheon Awarded $3M from DOE ARPA-E RECOVER Program for Wastewater Research

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A man in a suit and safety glasses stands near a window, holding small mechanical components while speaking to a small group of people. The audience, also wearing safety glasses, is seen from behind and appears to be listening attentively. The setting resembles a laboratory or demonstration space with a countertop and equipment visible in the background.We’re thrilled to announce that Professor Jeffrey McCutcheon will receive $3M in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)‘s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) RECOVER program to lead a groundbreaking project to recover critical minerals from wastewater—addressing both national security and sustainability challenges!

Together with Professor George Bollas from our department and Professor Baikun Li from UConn School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the team will develop the Intensified Anaerobic Digestion with Resource Recovery (IADRR) process. This innovative system will combine ceramic vacuum membrane distillation to extract ammonia and bipolar membrane electrodialysis to capture phosphorus as phosphoric acid.

Congratulations to Professor McCutcheon and the entire team on this achievement!

Read more on UConn Today.

Azeem Sarwar and Faheem Hassan Wins the Clean Energy and Sustainability Innovation Program Award

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Three people stand at a wooden podium labeled “UCONN EVERSOURCE” during a presentation. A woman in a blue dress holds a microphone and looks toward two men beside her. One man stands behind the podium, and the other, wearing glasses and a dark jacket, speaks into a microphone while gesturing with his hand. A table with water bottles is visible to the side against a plain beige conference room wall.Congratulations to our PhD students, Azeem Sarwar and Muhammad Faheem Hassan, for receiving the Clean Energy and Sustainability Innovation Program (CESIP) Award presented by University of Connecticut and Eversource Energy!

Together with their teammate Maham Liaqat from the UConn Chemistry Department, the team presented “Wastewater to Bioenergy: Integrated Chlorella Cultivation and Pyrolysis” at the North American Power Symposium (NAPS) this past fall. Their project integrates wastewater treatment with microalgae cultivation and thermochemical conversion, demonstrating a systems-level approach to bioenergy production. The CESIP challenge brings together interdisciplinary student teams to address urgent energy and environmental challenges, and this recognition reflects both the technical rigor and collaborative strength of their work. We are proud of their accomplishment and looking forward to seeing this work continue to evolve.

Read more on UConn Today.

NIH Awards $2.7M to Kelly Burke to Advance Implantable Films for Post Surgical Pain Relief

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Professional headshot of a woman with shoulder-length light brown to dark blonde hair, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black blazer over a light-colored top and small stud earrings. The background is plain and neutral, and the lighting is even and studio-style.Warmest congratulations to Professor Kelly Burke on receiving a $2.7M R18 award from the National Institutes of Health to develop implantable drug‑delivery films designed to relieve pain after surgery. The project is funded under the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long‑term) Initiative, which backs technologies and strategies that help prevent opioid misuse—in this case by reducing the need to prescribe opioids following common surgical procedures.

The award supports a multidisciplinary team spanning engineering, pharmacy, and medicine, including Bin Feng (Biomedical Engineering), Xiuling Lu (Pharmacy), and Courtney Rowe (UConn Health/Connecticut Children’s). Together, the team will design, fabricate, and evaluate thin, biocompatible films that deliver non‑opioid therapeutics directly at the surgical site, targeting the source of pain while minimizing systemic exposure.

Opioids remain a standard option for managing acute post‑operative pain, but they also carry well‑documented risks, including misuse and dependence. By bringing pain relief to the point of need, implantable films could cut the number and strength of opioid prescriptions required after surgery—offering clinicians a practical tool to improve recovery and help protect patients and families from downstream harm.

R18 awards are intended to develop, test, and evaluate health service activities, and to foster the application of existing knowledge to improve health outcomes across defined conditions. Backed by this mechanism, the UConn‑led team will integrate materials science, drug‑delivery expertise, and clinical perspectives to optimize the films’ performance and assess their potential to translate into routine surgical care.

We are looking forward to seeing the impact of this work on safer post-operative care.

Smart Water Sensors Help Preserve Clean Water Supplies

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Three researchers wearing lab coats stand together in a laboratory, examining a small sensor or sample held by the researcher in the center. Laboratory equipment, bottles, and instruments are visible in the background, indicating an active research setting.Sharing exciting new research advancing smart sensor technologies to improve long-term monitoring of water and soil systems!

Prof. Baikun Li from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering leads this effort, working with Prof. Yu Lei from our department and Dr. Xingyu Wang to develop smart sensors for nitrogen species in municipal wastewater with improved accuracy and stability. By leveraging components and technologies that eliminate the need for tedious calibration, this work targets calibration-free, long-term monitoring in wastewater systems—a significant step forward for reliable water quality management.

In parallel, the team is expanding these sensor technologies to agricultural and soil monitoring applications, including the development of hydrogel-coated soil sensors designed to improve monitoring accuracy while helping minimize fertilizer use and reduce environmental impacts in agriculture.

Read more on UConn Today.

Laurencin Named 2025 Wallace H. Coulter Lecturer at Pittcon

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Dr Laurencin speaks at a podium with a microphone, gazing at a projected presentation displaying diagrams. The setting is professional and well-lit.Celebrating an outstanding achievement by Prof. Sir Cato Laurencin, who served as the 2025 Wallace H. Coulter Lecturer at Pittcon, one of the world’s leading conferences in laboratory science and analytical innovation.

In his Coulter Lecture, “Regenerative Engineering: The Frontier is Here,” Dr. Laurencin highlighted how convergence across materials science, biology, engineering, and clinical translation is enabling transformative advances in tissue and organ regeneration. His work exemplifies how chemical engineering principles and cross-disciplinary collaboration can drive impactful solutions at the intersection of science, medicine, and technology.

Congratulations to Dr. Laurencin on this well-deserved recognition and for continuing to advance the frontiers of regenerative engineering.

Read more on UConn Today.

Guilherme Bertola Receives 2025 New England Rubber & Plastics Group Scholarship

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Guilherme BertolaWarmest congratulations to our fourth-year Ph.D. candidate Guilherme Pereira de Souza Del Rio Bertola on receiving one of two 2025 NERPG; New England Rubber & Plastics Group Scholarships! 

The NERPG, a division of the American Chemical Society, supports knowledge exchange among chemists, engineers, and professionals working in rubber and plastics chemistry and engineering. This prestigious scholarship recognizes Guilherme’s innovative research, conducted under the supervision of Professor Anson Ma, on simulating the microwave curing of fully compounded 3D-printed elastomers—advancing rapid prototyping and scalable manufacturing of customized, stretchable components used in medical devices, automotive systems, and consumer products.

We are excited to see the future achievements that await him.

Laurencin Receives Bioactive Materials Lifetime Achievement Award

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Cato LaurencinCongratulations to Sir Dr. Cato Laurencin on receiving the Bioactive Materials Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his pioneering contributions to biomaterials, regenerative engineering, and translational medicine.

Established in 2020, the Bioactive Materials Lifetime Achievement Award honors excellence in research and development while serving as a catalyst for advancing the field, fostering international collaboration, and inspiring innovation.

Dr. Laurencin’s visionary work has defined the field of regenerative engineering, bridging engineering, biology, and medicine to create transformative clinical solutions. At UConn, he holds joint appointments in Orthopedic Surgery, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering.

Widely recognized as the founder and pioneer of regenerative engineering, Dr. Laurencin is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology, and nanotechnology, and was named one of the 100 Engineers of the Modern Era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Read more about this well-deserved recognition on UConn Today.

Caitlin Noonan Transforms Campus Food Waste into Carbon Capture Material

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Caitlin NoonanCheck out this UConn Today article featuring our senior, Caitlin Noonan—from scraps to solutions, she’s turning campus food waste into carbon-capture material. 

Caitlin’s project, “Converting the University of Connecticut’s Food Waste into Activated Carbon for Carbon Capture, Sequestration, and Usage,” conducted under the guidance of Professor Julia Valla, explores a clever way to repurpose discarded food scraps into biochar that can trap CO₂ and be reused or returned safely to soil.


Here’s what makes her work so exciting:

  • She sourced food waste from South Dining Hall, dried and powdered it using a FoodCycler Eco 5, then transformed it into biochar via slow pyrolysis.
  • By steam-activating the biochar at 900 °C, she created a porous, reusable material adept at adsorbing CO₂—without relying on chemical activation methods that can generate harmful byproducts.
  • Unlike conventional adsorbents, Caitlin’s biochars can ultimately be used as a soil amendment, improving soil health and storing carbon long-term with minimal environmental risk.

Caitlin is a recipient of the highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship and a Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) Award winner from the Office of Undergraduate Research at UConn, underscoring both her academic excellence and research potential. Caitlin’s work further illustrates how everyday waste can become part of the solution—and highlights the impact chemical engineers can make in sustainability and carbon removal.

Congratulations, Caitlin! We’re proud to see your outstanding achievements recognized and can’t wait to see where you take them next.

Read more on UConn Today.

Burkey and Crowl Awarded an NSF Grant to Study Engineering Ethics

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Dan Burkey and Monika CrowlCongratulations to Dan Burkey and Monika Crowl on being awarded a $750K NSF grant through the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program!

Dan Burkey, Castleman Term Professor of Engineering Innovation and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, will lead this multi-institutional project. He is joined by Monika Crowl, Assistant Professor-in-Residence from our department, along with Mike Young, Associate Professor Emeritus from Neag School of Education, and partners from the University of Pittsburgh and Rowan University.

The team aims to create a fun and engaging way for engineering students to learn about professional ethical decision making, preparing the next generation of engineers for the challenges of modern practice.

We are proud to celebrate Dan and Monika’s leadership and contributions to this transformative initiative!

Read more on UConn Today.

Azeem Sarwar and Muhammad Hassan Selected as a Finalist for the UConn–Eversource Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Program

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Azeem Sarwar and Muhammad HassanWarmest congratulations to our graduate students, Azeem Sarwar and Muhammad Faheem Hassan, on being selected as one of the five finalist teams for the UConn–Eversource Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Program!

Over the summer, they have been working diligently on their project, “UConn’s Wastewater to Bioenergy: Integrated Chlorella Cultivation and Pyrolysis.” Their work will be showcased at the 2025 Sustainable Clean Energy Summit in October, where the winning team will receive additional funding to continue their efforts throughout the academic year.

Read more on UConn Today.

Laurencin Represents the United States at the U.S.–Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium

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Cato Laurencin US-Africa-SymposiumCongratulations to Prof. Cato Laurencin on representing the United States at the 3rd U.S.–Africa Frontiers of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Symposium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the symposium brought together more than 100 scientists, engineers, and medical professionals from 16 African nations and the U.S. to explore advances in biotechnology, decarbonization, space research, smart cities, and precision agriculture.

Dr. Laurencin’s ongoing collaborations with the African scientific community and his groundbreaking work in regenerative engineering continue to inspire on a global stage.

Read more on UConn Today.

Beykal Granted Eversource Energy Professorship Position

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Warmest congratulations to Professor Burcu Beykal for being awarded one of only two Eversource Energy Professorships in Environmental and Sustainability Education at University of Connecticut!

This prestigious professorship recognizes outstanding scholarly achievements of early-career faculty who exemplify research excellence in their fields. The two recipients were recently selected and honored by UConn College of Engineering Dean JC Zhao and UConn Tech Park Director, Eversource Energy Endowed Chair in Environmental Engineering, Emmanouil Anagnostou.

As a process systems engineer, Prof. Beykal’s research integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mathematical optimization to develop solutions for global water and critical mineral shortages. Her impressive track record includes 30 peer-reviewed publications—18 of which were published at UConn—11 invited talks, and over $2.5M in federal research funding.

Congratulations, Prof. Beykal! This recognition is well deserved!

Read more on UConn Today.

Laurencin Recognized as Springer Nature Editor of Distinction

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Congratulations to Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, KCSL, on receiving the 2025 Springer Nature Editor of Distinction Award!

This prestigious honor recognizes editors who embody scientific excellence, integrity, and leadership in advancing discovery. Prof. Sir Cato’s dedication to rigorous scholarship and impactful science continues to inspire our community.

Read more on UConn Today.

 

Sun Named Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor

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luyi-sunWarmest congratulations to Professor Luyi Sun on being named a 2025 Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor—one of the highest honors UConn confers in recognition of sustained excellence in research, teaching, and service!

Prof. Sun leads an internationally recognized research program in nanostructured hybrid materials for functional, environmental, and energy-related applications. With over 310 peer-reviewed journal articles, his contributions to materials science have been widely impactful. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Society of Plastics Engineers. His work has also been recognized with prestigious honors including the Morand Lambla Award from the Polymer Processing Society and election to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

This award is a testament to Prof. Sun’s continued leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing science and education. Read more on Prof. Sun’s achievements on UConn Today.

Laurencin Honored by the West Indian Foundation

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Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin, MD, PhD, KCSL, was recently honored by the West Indian Foundation at their Board of Directors Reception for his outstanding contributions to the community!

A University Professor at UConn and internationally recognized leader in regenerative engineering, Professor Sir Laurencin continues to inspire through his groundbreaking research, commitment to equity, and unwavering dedication to mentorship and public service.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of a truly impactful scholar and community leader.

Read more on UConn Today.

Celebrating the 2025 Travel Awards

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Congratulations to our graduate students who received the 2025 Travel Awards:

   Nicole Beauregard
   Marina Dabaghian
   Dimitri Alston
   Hasan Nikkhah
   Adrian Irhamna
   Kayla Smith
   Maryam Mohebbi
   Deniz Ipekci
   Salman Ahmadipouya
   Amir Shahbazi

These awards support student travel to present research, attend conferences, and engage with the broader scientific community. We look forward to seeing the impact of your work at national and international venues!

Celebrating the 2025 Research Excellence Awards

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Congratulations to our outstanding graduate students who received the 2025 Research Excellence Awards:

    Zahir Aghayev
    Nicole Beauregard
    Adrian Irhamna

This award recognizes exceptional research contributions—including impactful publications, conference presentations, patent applications, and entrepreneurial activities.

As part of the honor, recipients will present their work in our departmental seminar series this fall. We look forward to learning more about the exciting research driving their success!

Celebrating Graduate Student Service Awards

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Well-deserved congratulations to our incredible graduate students who received the CBE Service Awards last year:

        Adaeze Maduako
        Nicole Beauregard
        Alanna Gado

From organizing Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association events and running highly competitive department-wide March Madness bracket competitions, to preparing first-year students with mock qualifiers and serving on the board of the John Lof Leadership Academy, these students exemplify leadership, collaboration, and community-building in our department.

Thank you for your outstanding service and for making CBE a stronger, more connected place!

President Radenka Maric Named a Fellow of The Electrochemical Society

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Congratulations to President Radenka Maric on being named a Fellow of The Electrochemical Society (ECS)—one of the highest honors in the field of electrochemistry and solid-state science!

Established in 1989, the ECS Fellowship recognizes individuals for their exceptional scientific contributions and active engagement in advancing the Society’s mission. Each year, no more than 15 distinguished members are selected worldwide for this prestigious title. President Maric is being recognized for her groundbreaking work in electrochemistry at surfaces and interfaces, and her leadership in developing nanomaterials for renewable energy and sensor technologies. She will be formally inducted at the 248th ECS Meeting in Chicago this October.

Read more on President Maric’s Journey on UConn Today.

Zhou Elected to Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

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Congratulations to Professor Xiao-Dong Zhou on his election to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE)—a well-deserved honor recognizing his exceptional contributions to sustainable energy research!

As Director of UConn’s Center for Clean Energy Engineering, Dr. Zhou’s pioneering work continues to drive innovation in clean energy technologies, tackling some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges. He joins four other distinguished faculty members from the UConn College of Engineering in this prestigious recognition. We’re proud to see his impactful leadership celebrated at the state level and look forward to the continued influence of his work.

Read more on UConn Today.

Anson Ma Promoted to Full Professor

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Anson MaWe are thrilled to share that Dr. Anson Ma has been promoted to Full Professor effective this Fall! Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ma on this well-earned recognition of his impactful contributions to research, teaching, and service. This milestone reflects years of innovation, leadership, and excellence in the field.

Check out the extensive list of all faculty members who have earned promotion and/or tenure on UConn Today.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia

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Sir Cato LaurencinWe’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. Cato T. Laurencin’s appointment as Knight Commander of the Order of St. Lucia — earning him the title Sir Cato Laurencin.

This is one of the highest honors of St. Lucia and it’s a fitting tribute to a remarkable leader whose work in regenerative engineering and medicine has transformed lives around the world. From scientific innovation to mentoring the next generation, Sir Cato continues to inspire and uplift communities across disciplines and continents.

Read more about this extraordinary achievement on  UConn Today.

Katelynn Horvath ’25, College of Engineering

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Yongku Cho & Katelynn HorvathWe are excited to highlight yet another outstanding recent graduate of our department, Katelynn Horvath!

Katelynn conducted research with Professor Yongku Cho where she engineered proteins that bind to modified RNA molecules—critical tools for studying RNA modifications associated with human disease. Her passion for research led her to prestigious national opportunities: she was selected as a 2024 Amgen Scholar, spending a transformative summer at Caltech, and previously expanded her research experience as a 2023 REU participant at the University of Florida.

At UConn, Katelynn graduated as an Honors Scholar with a perfect GPA and served as one of the 2025 Engineering Commencement Banner Carriers — a distinction awarded to top-performing students who exemplify academic excellence and leadership. This fall, she will begin her PhD at MIT Chemical Engineering. We are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in the world. Congratulations, Katelynn!

Jacob Crow ’25, College of Engineering

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Jacob CrowAs we continue to reflect on the commencement weekend, we’re thrilled to highlight the achievements of another outstanding graduate from our department, Jacob Crow!

Engineering runs deep in Jacob’s roots. With a proud Husky legacy—his grandmother, great aunt, parents, uncle, and siblings all UConn grads—Jacob continued the family tradition with excellence in College of Engineering. During his time at UConn, he actively participated in several professional and academic organizations, including the UConn Chapters of AIChE, ISPE, and Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society), as well as the Badminton, Chess, and Quantum Computing Clubs.

This fall, Jacob is headed to Duke University to pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and materials science with Dr. Miaofang Chi.

Congratulations, Jacob – we are proud of your achievements and can’t wait to see what you will accomplish next!

Read Jacob’s story on UConn Today.

Camila Connolly ’25, College of Engineering

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Camila ConnollyAs Commencement Weekend comes to a close, we’re proud to share the incredible journey of one of our outstanding graduates, Camila Connolly!

Camila’s path through UConn is a powerful story of growth, leadership, and service. A Chemical Engineering major and Air Force ROTC cadet, she’s held numerous leadership roles across campus—including as a Weekend of Welcome captain, undergraduate TA for Engineering 1166: Foundations of Engineering, and an event manager/ambassador at the Student Union. She also held leadership roles with Phi Sigma Rho, Major General Joseph Ward Silver Wings Chapter, and the Towers Residence Hall Association.

Originally planning to attend medical school, Camila discovered her passion for engineering after joining ROTC and interning at Pratt & Whitney. That pivotal experience reshaped her goals—and now, she’s preparing to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. She’ll begin her career as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer at Kadena Air Base in Japan before transitioning into acquisitions and, eventually, project management in the aerospace defense industry.

Congratulations, Camila — we are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and excited for all that’s ahead!

Read Camilla’s story on UConn Today.

Caitlin Noonan Named Goldwater Scholar

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We are extremely proud of our junior, Caitlin Noonan ’26, for being named a Goldwater Scholar!

The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the most prestigious national scholarships for undergraduates in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Established by Congress to honor the late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, the scholarship recognizes students with exceptional promise and encourages them to pursue research careers.

This year, Caitlin is one of only 441 students selected nationwide from a pool of over 5,000 applicants—a remarkable achievement!

Caitlin works with Prof. Julia Valla on converting UConn’s food waste into activated carbon adsorbents for carbon capture, sequestration, and use. This summer, she will continue her impactful work as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) awardee through UConn’s Office of Undergraduate Research. We can’t wait to see the incredible impact she’ll make in the future of science and engineering.

Read more on UConn Today.

Burkey Recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Higher Education Professional by the UConn Neag School of Education and its Alumni Board

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Congratulations to Professor Daniel Burkey on being recognized as the 2025 Outstanding Higher Education Professional by the UConn Neag School of Education and its Alumni Board!

Prof. Burkey currently serves as the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education at the College of Engineering. With a background in chemical engineering and educational psychology, his work focuses on research methods and innovation in engineering education. He co-developed the College’s new Ph.D. program in Engineering Education and has led the way in introducing game-based teaching approaches at the undergraduate level.

Prof. Burkey holds a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University, an M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and an M.A. in Educational Psychology from UConn. His outstanding contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the 2024 Provost’s Award for Excellence in Community Engaged Scholarship, the 2018 University Teaching Fellowship, and multiple honors as AIChE Chemical Engineering Educator of the Year (2011–2014, 2019).

Read more on UConn Today.

Deniz Ipekci and Akanksha Majumder Rise to the Top at the College of Engineering Poster Competition

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Warmest congratulations to our graduate student, Deniz Ipekci, winning the 1st place in the department competition and 3rd place overall at the 11th Annual UConn College of Engineering Poster Competition! A special congratulations also goes to Akanksha Majumder, who won the People’s Choice Award!

Both students are advised by Prof. Jeffrey McCutcheon, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. It was a fantastic event and wonderful to see our graduate students come together to present their exciting research. Their hard work and dedication continue to strengthen our department and the broader UConn engineering community.

Celebrating Excellence: Chemical Engineering Faculty Honored as NAI Fellows for Transformative Innovation

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We are extremely proud of our faculty who have been recognized as National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellows over the years for their groundbreaking contributions to science, technology, and innovation. Their research spans clean energy, sustainable materials, regenerative medicine, and nanotechnology, driving real-world impact through discovery and entrepreneurship.

President Radenka Maric (NAI Fellow, 2019) – A leader in sustainable energy, her pioneering work in materials and catalysts has advanced fuel cell technologies, energy storage, and electrochemical sensors, enabling high-performance clean energy solutions.

 

 

 

Cato LaurencinProf. Cato Laurencin (NAI Fellow, 2013) – The first UConn faculty member to become an NAI Fellow and a trailblazer in regenerative engineering. His breakthroughs in nanotechnology, polymer chemistry, and tissue regeneration have earned him national honors, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

 

 

Prof. Luyi Sun (NAI Fellow, 2021) – An expert in polymeric materials, ceramics, and composites, his research is driving innovation in packaging, energy, and catalysis, shaping next-generation materials for diverse applications.

 

 

 

 

These distinguished faculty members exemplify UConn’s commitment to cutting-edge research and transformative innovation. Congratulations to all!

Read more about all UConn College of Engineering NAI Fellows on UConn Today.

Hasan Nikkhah Wins Best Poster Award at the Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Design Conference

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We are thrilled to share that our graduate student, Hasan Nikkhah, has received the Best Poster Award at the 2024 Foundations of Computer-Aided Process Design (FOCAPD) Conference for his work on seawater desalination. In collaboration with our undergraduate student Dev Barochia and under the guidance of Professor Burcu Beykal, Hasan presented their research, “Design and Optimization of a Multipurpose Zero Liquid Discharge Desalination Plant,” which introduces a novel approach to multicomponent seawater desalination with zero liquid discharge.

This work leverages mathematical optimization to determine the best operating conditions for minimizing energy consumption, addressing the environmental challenges of traditional desalination methods. By improving efficiency and sustainability, this work has the potential to make clean water production more accessible and environmentally friendly.

We are incredibly proud of Hasan’s achievement and look forward to seeing how this work contributes to the future of desalination!

Read more on this work in the FOCAPD 2024 Proceedings.

Welcoming Dr. Génesis Quiles-Galarza as Assistant Professor in Residence to Our Department

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We are excited to welcome Dr. Génesis Quiles-Galarza as an Assistant Professor in Residence in our department starting Fall 2025. Prof. Quiles-Galarza joins us with a strong background in machine learning for materials discovery, first-principles methods, and engineering education, bringing valuable experience in research and undergraduate teaching.

Prof. Quiles-Galarza, an alumnus from our very own program, obtained her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in 2024, with her Doctoral Thesis titled, “Identifying Material Fingerprints of Relevance to Understand Adsorbate-Surface Interactions Using First Principles Modeling and Machine Learning.” She has since joined as a Visiting Professor, making valuable contributions to educating the chemical engineering students in the UConn community and upholding high standards of academic excellence. Prior to obtaining her PhD, she served as a Secondary Science teacher at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, CT through Teach For America, which set the foundation for her journey as an educator.

Prof. Quiles-Galarza will be contributing to our MEng Program by teaching Chemical Engineering graduate courses, as well as focusing on computational chemical engineering approaches, enhancing our Department’s and UConn College of Engineering’s commitment to student success and top-quality, cutting-edge education. We look forward to seeing the impact her work will have on our students and the broader academic community.

 

Laurencin Receives the 2025 Terasaki Innovation Award

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Warmest congratulations to Professor Cato Laurencin, recipient of the 2025 Paul Terasaki Innovation Award! The Paul Terasaki Innovation Award honors individuals who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to biomedical innovation, recognizing those who not only advance research but also translate their discoveries into real-world medical solutions. Dr. Laurencin embodies this mission through his pioneering work in regenerative engineering, polymer science, and musculoskeletal repair and regeneration. His groundbreaking contributions include the invention of the Laurencin-Cooper ligament for regenerating the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the development of engineered grafts for rotator cuff tendon repair and regeneration. His research has bridged fundamental science with transformative medical applications, impacting countless lives.

Dr. Laurencin’s recognition with the Paul Terasaki Innovation Award is a well-deserved honor, celebrating a legacy inspires the next generation of biomedical pioneers. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine, as well as an elected fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. He is the first surgeon in history to be elected to all four of these prestigious academies.

Read more on UConn Today.

Faculty & Students Celebrated in the College of Engineering Growth & Momentum Publication

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We proudly celebrate our faculty and students who have been recognized in the inaugural Growth & Momentum publication by the UConn College of Engineering. This special issue highlights the groundbreaking research and achievements of our community in materials science, renewable energy, biomedical engineering, and more, showcasing the tremendous impact of our department’s work across the College.

Many of our faculty are recognized among the top 2% of scientists worldwide. Their contributions, along with the remarkable efforts of our students, continue to drive innovation and address critical global challenges. We are especially proud to recognize the following members of our department featured in this issue:

🔹 President Radenka Maric
🔹 Professors Cato Laurencin, C. Barry Carter, Yu Lei, Jeffrey McCutcheon, Montgomery Shaw, Luyi Sun, Robert Weiss, Xiao-Dong Zhou
🔹 Graduate student Usama Sheikh (Advisor: Jeffrey McCutcheon)

Their achievements reflect the strength of our department and the excellence of our faculty and students.

Read the full issue here.

McCutcheon Receives FRI/Neil Yeoman Innovation Award from the AIChE Separations Division

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We are proud to share that Professor Jeffrey McCutcheon has been awarded the AIChE FRI/Neil Yeoman Innovation Award by the AIChE Separations Division! This prestigious award recognizes Dr. McCutcheon’s pioneering research in additive manufacturing of thin film composite membranes, a significant advancement in membrane technology that has broad implications for separations science and industry. Dr. McCutcheon presented his groundbreaking work at the AIChE Annual Meeting Separations Division Plenary session last fall.

The FRI/Neil Yeoman Innovation Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to separations technologies, with selection criteria including the development of transformative discoveries, creative research, or new processes/products that provide measurable commercial, environmental, or societal value.

We congratulate Dr. McCutcheon on this well-deserved recognition! His dedication and innovative research continue to shape the future of membrane separations while inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Wagstrom Keeping Air in Connecticut Classrooms Safe with $11.5M in Funding from the State

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WagstromUniversity of Connecticut‘s Indoor Air Quality Initiative, where Professor Kristina Wagstrom is a co-collaborator, just secured $11.5M from the state to bring DIY “Corsi-Rosenthal” air purifiers to all Connecticut public school classrooms. Developed from $60 worth of materials, these purifiers can reduce airborne viruses by over 99% in just an hour—improving health, attendance, and even academic performance. Also, recently published collaborative research findings by UConn and Arizona State University also show that DIY air purifiers work better than commercial HEPA air cleaners for a fraction of the cost.

On October 22 the State Bond Commission in Connecticut approved funding for the UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative to administer and implement the purchase of equipment and materials for the construction and installation of individual classroom air purifiers. The state funding awarded to UConn will be part of SAFE-CT: Supplemental Air Filtration for Education Supplemental under the Clean Air Equity Response Program.

This initiative brings together UConn Neag School of Education, UConn College of Engineering, UConn School of Nursing, UConn School of Medicine, and UConn Health to connect communities with low-cost and accessible public health solutions. We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Wagstrom and the UConn Team for their support in public health and environmental safety.

Read more on UConn Today.

Laurencin Receives Sigma Xi’s Highest Honor Gold Key Award at International Forum on Research Excellence

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Congratulations to Professor Cato T. Laurencin on receiving Sigma Xi’s highest honor, the Gold Key Award, at the International Forum on Research Excellence! 

The Gold Key Award is Sigma Xi’s highest distinction, presented to a member who has made extraordinary contributions to their profession and fostered critical innovations to enhance the health of the research enterprise, cultivate integrity in research, or promote public understanding of science—all with the goal of improving the human condition.

Dr. Laurencin’s pioneering work in regenerative engineering, biomaterials, and medicine has not only pushed scientific boundaries but also led to transformative advancements in healthcare. His leadership continues to inspire the next generation of researchers.

Read more on UConn Today.

Undergraduate Researchers Shine at the AIChE Annual Student Conference

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We are proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of our undergraduate students at this year’s American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Student Conference. 

Joseph Choi
🥈2nd Place – Computing, Simulation, and Process Control III
Advisor: Prof. Matthew Stuber, PhD
Poster Title: “Automatic Generation of Reduced-Space Models for Faster Global Optimization in Julia”

Nathaniel Rodney
🥉3rd Place – Food, Pharmaceutical, and Biotechnology II
Advisor: Wendy W.K. Mok (UConn Health)
Poster Title: “Riboswitch Engineering: Tracking Levofloxacin Accumulation and Oxidative Damage in Single Cells Using Biosensors”

Mehr Chhatre
🥉3rd Place – Environmental Science and Engineering I
Advisor: Prof. Leslie Shor
Poster Title: “Modulation of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminant Toxicity to Soil Protists via Co-Exposure with Microplastics”

Special Recognition to All Our Student Presenters:
Aislin Robb
Advisor: Prof. Yongku Cho
Poster Title: “Protein 14-3-3 Expression on Yeast Surface Display”

Sanjana Srinivas
Advisor: Prof. Kelly Burke
Poster Title: “Thiol-Functionalized Silk Biomaterials, a Study of Two Different Synthetic Routes”

Katelynn Horvath
Advisor: Prof. Yongku Cho
Poster Title: “Engineering Binding Affinity of Yth to m6A-RNA Leveraging Yeast Surface Display and Next-Generation Sequencing for Comprehensive Mutant Library Analysis”

Their hard work and commitment to research excellence continue to inspire us. Congratulations to all our students on their outstanding accomplishments! 

Erik Ammermann Wins the AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical, and Bioengineering Division Student Oral Presentation Award

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Congratulations to our graduate student Erik Ammermann for winning the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Bioengineering Division Student Oral Presentation Award at the 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting!

Erik is a PhD student in our department working with Professor Yongku Cho to advance the understanding of tau phosphorylation in Alzheimer’s disease. Elevated levels of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) are linked to disease progression, but current methods to study these modifications are insufficient. Erik is tackling this challenge by developing a groundbreaking method to produce full-length human tau with genetically defined phosphoserine sites in engineered E. coli.

Well done, Erik! We’re excited to see what’s next. 

Read more on Erik’s work in the Technical Program.

Water Research Foundation Awards Top Honor to McCutcheon

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The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has honored Professor Jeff McCutcheon with its top recognition: the Paul L. Busch Award. Dr. McCutcheon and his lab have developed a groundbreaking additive manufacturing approach to produce thin-film water treatment membranes. This method, based on electrohydrodynamic spray processing, enables customization of membrane chemistry and performance—capabilities that traditional manufacturing techniques cannot achieve.

The Paul L. Busch Award celebrates individuals conducting innovative research in water quality and the water environment, focusing on those who transform discoveries into practical solutions. Dr. McCutcheon’s work represents a bold step forward in addressing complex water contamination challenges through tailored, next-generation membrane technology.

Read more on UConn Today and the Water Research Foundation Press Release.

Laurencin Presents at Dreyfus Foundation’s 2024 Teacher-Scholar Symposium

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We are thrilled to celebrate Professor Cato Laurencin, who presented a lecture on regenerative engineering at the Dreyfus Foundation’s 2024 Teacher-Scholar Symposium. As a pioneer of this field, Dr. Laurencin holds the unique distinction of being the first surgeon-scientist elected to all four National Academies: Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Inventors.

He is an expert in biomaterials science, stem cell technology and nanotechnology and was named one of the 100 Engineers of the Modern Era by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He received the Founder’s Award (highest award) from the Society for Biomaterials, the Von Hippel Award (highest award) from the Materials Research Society and the James Bailey Award (highest award) from the Society for Biological Engineering. He received the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, NIH’s highest and most prestigious research award, for his new field of Regenerative Engineering and the National Science Foundation’s Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Grant Award. Dr. Laurencin is the Editor-in-Chief of Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine and is the Founder of the Regenerative Engineering Society. He is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society, a Fellow of the Materials Research Society and a AAAS Fellow. The American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded Dr. Laurencin the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize given ‘for signal contributions to the advancement of science in the United States’.

Read more about Dr. Laurencin’s talk on UConn Today.

Burkey Elected as American Institute of Chemical Engineers Fellow

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Congratulations to Professor Dan Burkey on being elected as an American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Fellow — AIChE’s highest grade of membership, achieved only through election by the AIChE Board of Directors. This prestigious recognition highlights Dr. Burkey’s long-term excellence in chemical engineering, impactful service to the profession, and dedication to advancing education and diversity.

Over the years, Dr. Burkey has made remarkable contributions, including:

  • Research: Innovating in game-based education for process safety and engineering ethics, with 50+ publications and numerous awards, including the 2020 AIChE Education Division Innovation Award, the 2022 William H. Corcoran Award from the Chemical Engineering Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), and the 2023 David Himmelblau Award for Innovations in Computer-Based Chemical Engineering Education of the AIChE Computing & Systems Technology Division.
  • Education Leadership: Growing UConn College of Engineering enrollment to nearly 4,000 students, tripling female enrollment, and developing transformative programs like the Undergraduate Teaching, Mentoring, and Leadership Program and a new Ph.D. in Engineering Education. 
  • Service: Spearheading the AIChE Education Division’s Future Faculty Mentoring Program, which has supported 200+ mentees and placed alumni in faculty roles at over 50 institutions worldwide.

Dr. Burkey’s leadership and commitment to engineering education have made a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the chemical engineering profession. We are honored to celebrate this incredible achievement and thanking Dr. Burkey for his continued efforts to inspire and elevate the next generation of engineers.

Read more on UConn Today.

Burke Appointed Head of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department

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Kelly Burke '05 (ENG)Congratulations to Professor Kelly Burke on their appointment as our new Head of the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department!

Prof. Burke brings a wealth of experience and vision to this role, aiming to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and continue advancing our department’s legacy of excellence in research and education.

We look forward to seeing how her leadership shapes the future of our field and inspires the next generation of chemical engineers.

Read more about Prof. Burke’s journey at UConn Today.

Alumni Michael Jones Receives the 2024 Scientific Achievement Award by the International System Safety Society

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Our alumni Michael Jones, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Scientific Achievement Award by the International System Safety Society (ISSS). This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to system safety through research and development.

Mike has been recognized for his work on the design and development of novel passive propagation resistant (PPR) lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, the integration of PPR Li-ion batteries with Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUVs), and integration of PPR Li-ion powered UUVs with U.S. submarine platforms. This award underscores the global impact of Mike’s work. Last year, the award went to a team of engineers at the Large Hadron Collider in Europe. This year, Mike is being honored as an individual, reflecting his substantial contributions to advancing system safety.

Mike is currently pursuing a PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Rhode Island (URI) while working as an Engineering Task Lead at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport (NUWC). His research is supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and is part of the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT), a collaborative effort involving URI, University of Connecticut, the Navy, and other partners.

We are incredibly proud of Mike and the contributions he continues to make in this field. His work is a powerful reminder of how knowledge and innovation can drive real-world impact.

Assistant Professor in Residence Opportunity

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We Are Hiring! The Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering invites applications for a non-tenure track position of Assistant Professor in Residence at the Storrs campus. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact by teaching in both undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as contributing to departmental initiatives.

We are looking for candidates with:

  • Established record of accomplishment in teaching
  • Expertise in core courses such as thermodynamics, kinetics, and/or transport phenomena
  • Familiarity with computation and theory within chemical engineering
  • A strong commitment to professional service and outreach

If you’re passionate about fostering a dynamic, inclusive learning environment and advancing chemical engineering education, we encourage you to apply!

To learn more and apply, visit: https://careers.pageuppeople.com/967/cw/en-us/job/498708/assistant-professor-in-residence 

Cho Awarded $500,000 for Groundbreaking Neurodegenerative Disease Research at Tauopathy Challenge Workshop

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Young ChoWe’re thrilled to announce that Dr. Yongku Cho and his collaborator Dr. Jesse Rinehart from Yale University School of Medicine have been awarded $500,000 at the Tauopathy Challenge Workshop to investigate post-translational modifications in tau protein aggregates. These chemical changes, found in patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Frontotemporal Dementias (FTDs), may increase tau aggregation and toxicity, both of which are critical contributors to these neurodegenerative diseases.

Funded by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, CurePSP, Alzheimer’s Association, and the Aging Mind Foundation, the workshop took place in Chicago, bringing together leading neuroscience researchers from around the world to address critical knowledge gaps in tau pathology and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. With no current treatments available for PSP and FTDs—both of which severely impact quality of life—collaborative research like this is essential in advancing our understanding and treatment of these conditions.

Dr. Cho and Dr. Rinehart’s research will explore whether specific chemical changes in tau proteins make them more prone to aggregation and toxicity, a hypothesis that has yet to be conclusively tested. If successful, their findings could open new avenues for treatments, offering hope to those affected by these debilitating diseases.

Read more on the Rainwater Charitable Foundation.

Adjunct Faculty Opportunity Spring 2025 – Heat and Mass Transfer Course

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We Are Hiring! The Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at University of Connecticut is seeking a qualified instructor to join us as Adjunct Faculty for Spring 2025! We are looking for an instructor to teach CHEG 3124: Heat and Mass Transfer (3 credits) at our Storrs campus. This is a great opportunity to share your expertise with our undergraduate students. If you’re passionate about teaching and fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment, we encourage you to apply!

To apply and learn more, visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/adjunct-faculty-opportunities/

Nicole Beauregard Awarded the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Graduate Student Fellowship

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We are thrilled to announce that our graduate student, Nicole Beauregard, has been awarded the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Graduate Student Fellowship. She will be working on integrating machine learning with evolutionary algorithms for the rapid discovery of high-performing metal-organic frameworks for gas adsorption.

Nicole also recently won the Faculty Choice Award for Best Student Talk at the 4th Women in STEM Frontiers in Research Expo (WiSFiRE) at University of Connecticut.

We are incredibly proud of Nicole’s achievements and look forward to seeing the impact of her work.

Read more on the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium.

2024 Teaching Fellow Announced

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We are proud to announce Britney Russell as the 2024 Teaching Fellow of our Department! She will have the exciting opportunity to develop innovative teaching materials and course formats that will enhance our undergraduate core curriculum.

We are confident that her accomplishment marks the beginning of a journey filled with even greater achievements ahead.

 

 

2024 Research Excellence Awards Announced

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We are proud to announce Hasan Nikkhah, Laron Burrows, and Henry Sokol as the winners of the 2024 Research Excellence Awards! Their pioneering research and unwavering commitment to scientific advancement have earned them this well-deserved recognition.

Well done to our graduate students, whose accomplishments mark the beginning of a journey filled with even greater achievements ahead.

 

 

Valla Accepts Two New Positions with UConn and the USDA

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Ioulia A. VallaCongratulations to Professor Julia Valla on accepting two new positions!

Prof. Valla has joined USDA-NIFA as a Special Advisor Panel Manager and UConn College of Engineering as the Director of Graduate Studies Programs. In her new roles, she will facilitate the review panels for Partnership, SEED, and Standard proposals and enhance graduate student recruitment and engagement. We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will bring to these roles.

Read more on UConn Center for Clean Energy Engineering News.

Bollas Appointed as the New Associate Dean of Research for the College of Engineering

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Warmest congratulations to Professor George Bollas on his appointment as the next Associate Dean of Research for the College of Engineering. Dr. Bollas currently serves as the Pratt & Whitney Endowed Chair Professor in Advanced Systems Engineering and the Director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering at UConn.

Dr. Bollas earned his BS and PhD in Chemical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT. His research spans energy technology, process systems engineering, and model-based systems engineering, focusing on optimizing cyber-physical systems crucial for the energy, chemical, and aerospace industries.

Under his leadership, the Pratt & Whitney Institute secured over $60M in research funding and doubled industry partner participation, enhancing educational programs that blend academic rigor with practical applications. His accolades include the NSF CAREER Award and the ACS PRF Doctoral New Investigator Award, and he was elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering in 2020.

We are confident that Dr. Bollas’s forward-thinking approach and established leadership will significantly boost our research capabilities and academic achievements.

Shor Appointed as the New Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education

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Warmest congratulations to Professor Leslie Shor on her appointment as the next Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education at the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Shor, a Centennial Term Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, has been a valued member of the UConn community for nearly 15 years. She will be joining the Provost’s Office from the College of Engineering, where she has served for five years as Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education. In this role, Dr. Shor has significantly increased PhD applications and external research funding while expanding professional development opportunities and support for graduate students and faculty.

Dr. Shor earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University and a B.A. in Environmental Science and Chemistry from the University of Virginia. Her leadership has been pivotal in creating initiatives that bridge various disciplines, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances both educational quality and research innovation.

We look forward to the continued growth and success of our graduate programs under Dr. Shor’s leadership.

Read the Official Announcement from the Office of the Provost.

Laurencin Inducted at the Plastics Hall of Fame Ceremony

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Warmest congratulations to Professor Cato Laurencin on his remarkable achievement of being inducted into the prestigious Plastics Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes his pioneering contributions to the field of regenerative engineering, where he has revolutionized the use of polymeric materials in developing cutting-edge medical devices, biologics, and pharmaceuticals. Prof. Laurencin’s groundbreaking work has transcended traditional boundaries, improving the lives of countless individuals worldwide.

Prof. Laurencin’s remarkable achievements have garnered significant acclaim, including the prestigious National Institute of Health Director’s Pioneer Research Grant Award and the National Science Foundation’s Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation Award. His innovative use of polymeric materials for tissue regeneration, drug delivery systems, and other medical applications has established him as a leader in the field. Prof. Laurencin is also the first engineer-scientist-surgeon to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors.

Read more on UConn Today.

2024 Outstanding Graduate TA Awards Announced

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Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Graduate TA Awards!

Amir Shahbazi, Heejeong Ryu, and Nicole Beauregard have shown exemplary commitment, innovation, and passion in their roles as Teaching Assistants. Their contributions have significantly enriched the learning experience for students and inspired their peers.

Well done to our graduate students, whose accomplishments mark the beginning of a journey filled with even greater achievements ahead.

Engineering Students Share Yearlong Research Projects During Senior Design Demo Day

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With the semester coming to a close, our senior design teams presented their projects to judges. The final day of the semester was a celebration, and it's with great pride that we announce the top-placing teams from judging on Senior Design Demonstration Day!

Four individuals in business attire stand side by side in front of a UConn School of Engineering backdrop, smiling for a formal group photo.

🥇 1st Place
Team 4: "Spirit of Sobriety: Engineering the Essence of Non-Alcoholic Brews"
👥 Members: Kanisha Desai, Cameron Hubbard, Ethan Krouskup, Hailey Tam
🎓 Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Pascal
🔗Watch the video presentation on College of Engineering Senior Design Website.

🥈 2nd Place
Team 2: "Design and Optimization of a Multi-Effect Desalination Unit Integrated with a Gas Turbine Plant"
👥 Members: David Gan, Katelyn Honegger, Alanna Smith, Wasif Zaman
🎓 Faculty Mentor: Dr. Burcu Beykal
🔗Watch the video presentation on College of Engineering Senior Design Website.

Four individuals stand side by side in formal attire in front of a UConn School of Engineering backdrop, posing for a group photo.
Four individuals stand side by side in front of a UConn School of Engineering backdrop, smiling and posing for a group photo.

🥉 3rd Place
Team 5: "Redefining How to Process a Body Wash: Creating a More Efficient and Agile Supply Chain"
👥 Members: Samantha Miel, Aadil Shahzad, Megan Shiring, Matthew Silver
🏢 Sponsor: Unilever
🎓 Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anson Ma
🔗Watch the video presentation on College of Engineering Senior Design Website.

Read more on UConn Today.

McCutcheon Awarded the Inaugural North American Membrane Society Permeance Prize

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Headshot of a middle-aged man with glasses and a beard, wearing a suit and tie against a gray background.Warmest congratulations to Professor Jeffrey McCutcheon for being selected as the recipient of the inaugural North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Permeance Prize! This prestigious award recognizes mid-career faculty for their exceptional contributions to the field of membrane science and technology. 

Read more on Professor McCutcheon’s journey on UConn Today.

UConn Brewing Innovation Teams Up with Two Roads Brewing for Exclusive Brew Release

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Jennifer Pascal

Following the resounding success of the first can release with Kinsmen Brewing Co, our two senior design teams, guided by the expertise of Professor Jenn Pascal, are gearing up for another unforgettable collaboration. This time, they are joining forces with Two Roads Brewing, one of Connecticut’s most esteemed breweries, for an exclusive launch event that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. This is a moment to celebrate the spirit of innovation and community, where the art of brewing meets the science of chemical engineering.

📆 Mark your calendar: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
🕒 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
📍 Location: Two Roads Brewing Company, 1700 Stratford Ave, Stratford, CT 06615

Join us at the 1881 Series: UConn Brewing Innovation and Can Release at Two Roads Brewing (Registration link on UConn Foundation Website).

American Chemical Society Holds Symposium in Honor of Professor Laurencin

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Dr. Cato LaurencinThe American Chemical Society held the Kathryn C. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success Symposium on March 19th in honor of Dr. Cato T. Laurencin for his transformative work in regenerative engineering. The Hach Award acknowledges remarkable entrepreneurs who innovate and introduce novel products, services, companies, or industries using chemistry’s transformative potential to enhance lives and bolster economic growth.

Recognized as one of the top engineers also by AIChE, Dr. Laurencin’s contributions to bone regeneration and bioceramic implants have earned him prestigious awards, including the William Grimes Award and the Priestly Medal.

Read more on UConn Today

Willis is Harvesting Parts of Sunshine to Expand the Use of Sunlight

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Using nanoscale antennas, Professor Brian Willis is harvesting parts of sunshine not currently being used, expanding the use of sunlight for energy and making clean – and climate friendly – energy more affordable.

At the heart of Prof. Willis’ research lies the utilization of nanoscale antennas, tiny structures capable of capturing and manipulating light at the smallest scales imaginable. These antennas act as miniature powerhouses, harvesting parts of sunlight that have traditionally gone unused. This unprecedented approach not only expands the efficiency of solar energy collection but also significantly enhances the affordability of clean energy solutions.

Check out this cool video highlighting his research and read more on UConn Today.

Bollas Selected for the Prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award

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Man standing with arms crossed in a modern building with glass and structural beams.Warmest congratulations to Prof. George Bollas who has been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award for 2024-2025. The Fulbright Program is devoted to increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Association is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. The presidentially appointed 12-member Board of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar program is responsible for supervising the Fulbright Program worldwide and approving the selection of all Fulbright recipients.

In this Program, Prof. Bollas will investigate the end-to-end feasibility of ammonia as a fuel for the difficult-to-decarbonize transportation sectors, from the production energy and carbon footprint to its conversion and utilization. A key focus of his work will be to promote a novel method, invented recently with his Ph.D. student Laron Burrows, that leverages chemical loops of metal nitrides, hydrides, and imides for ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure in separate steps. A second focus area of Prof. Bollas’ work will be on ammonia cracking and power generation in fuel cells.

This scholarship will support a research partnership with the Chemical Process and Energy Resources Institute (CPERI) of the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH).

Wei Ruan Wins 3rd Place in the 10th Annual Graduate Poster Competition

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Person standing next to a research poster display at an academic event, with charts and diagrams visible on the board.Warmest congratulations to Wei Ruan who won the 1st place Award in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and the 3rd place award at the College of Engineering with her work on “High Throughput Fabrication of Thin Electrocaloric Materials Films Enabled by Additive Manufacturing” at the 10th Annual College of Engineering Poster Competition.

Alanna Gado Awarded the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Graduate Student Fellowship

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Two people standing beside laboratory equipment, smiling and posing in a research lab setting.Warmest congratulations to Alanna Gado for being awarded the Graduate Research Fellowship sponsored by the NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium. Her work focuses on developing advanced catalyst-coated membranes for achieving high efficiency and high durability proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers under the advising of Professor Radenka Maric and in collaboration with Research Scientist Leonard Bonville and Associate Research Professor Stoyan Bliznakov. This research holds immense promise for the field of hydrogen production and clean energy technology, paving the way for sustainable solutions to our energy challenges.

Read more on NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium.

Research Team Develops Hybrid Propulsion Commercial Electric Aircraft

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Xiao-Dong ZhouThe groundbreaking research led by Professor Xiao-Dong Zhou has the potential to transform aviation, making it more sustainable and contributing to net-zero emissions. Funded by the prestigious ARPA-E program, his interdisciplinary research team is looking to develop a carbon-neutral energy storage and power generation system as an alternative for aircraft propulsion using High-Performance Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs).

Dive into the details and learn more about this transformative project on UConn Today

Laurencin Delivers Keynote Speech at University of Virginia Diversity Conference

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Cato LaurencinProfessor Cato Laurencin recently delivered the keynote speech at the 2023 How When & Why of DEI Conference organized by the University of Virginia School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Dr. Laurencin’s keynote address challenged the audience to consider adopting his concept called the IDEAL Path (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Learning), a concept he first presented when he was awarded the Herbert W. Nickens Award by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Read more on UConn Today.

Laurencin Named the Inventor of the Year by the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation

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Dr. Cato LaurencinIn a groundbreaking achievement, Dr. Cato Laurencin has been named the Inventor of the Year by the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation, an accolade that recognizes the world’s most outstanding recent inventors and their profound impact on the nation’s economy and quality of life. Dr. Laurencin’s pioneering work in the field of Regenerative Engineering has resulted in revolutionary technology that promotes bone and tissue regeneration, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for patients. This prestigious recognition underscores the transformative impact of his contributions in the realm of healthcare and regenerative medicine. His innovative work continues to be a beacon of hope for patients worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the field and solidifying his position as a trailblazer in healthcare innovation.

Watch the Youtube Video on Dr. Laurencin’s Award.

Four Faculty Members are Highlighted in the 2023 UConn Research Annual Report

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Collage showing a basketball player dunking, a researcher in a cleanroom, and a team with scientific equipment, with text reading “UConn Research 2023.”In the latest 2023 UConn Research Annual Report, the exceptional contributions of four distinguished faculty members take center stage. President Radenka Maric, along with esteemed professors Kelly Burke, Xiao-Dong Zhou, and Cato Laurencin, have been featured for their groundbreaking work spanning the realms of sustainability, energy, health, medicine, and community development. The report underscores the significant impact of their research, showcasing their commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing critical issues that resonate across diverse fields.

Read more on UConn Research Annual Report.

Microalgae for Poultry Nutrition: UConn Researchers Receive NSF Future Manufacturing Grant

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Group of people standing together in a lab or greenhouse setting, smiling and posing for a photo.
The interdisciplinary research team will develop a novel biomanufacturing technology to use microalgae to produce an essential amino acid for poultry feed. From left to right: Rigoberto Lopez, Yongku Cho, Yangchao Luo, Yu Lei, Mingyu Qiao, and Burcu Beykal. (Nick Snow, CAHNR photo)

Congratulations to Professors Burcu Beykal, Yongku Cho, and Yu Lei on winning the $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Future Manufacturing initiative!

This interdisciplinary team with Professors Mingyu Qiao (PI), Yangchao Luo, and Rigoberto Lopez from UConn College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and Professor C. Patrick Heidkamp from Southern Connecticut State University will tackle carbon-neutral amino acid synthesis with microalgae.

They will also develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model to determine, essentially, when the algae should act like a plant and when it should act like a microorganism based on the availability of sunlight or other essential nutrients to minimize costs. The AI model will automatically calculate how much of a given resource, like sugar, is needed to optimize amino acid production.

The grant will also include workshops for underrepresented high school and community college students to help prepare them to enter the biomanufacturing workforce in collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University.

Read more on UConn Today.

After Semester-Long Development, Student-Created ‘BrewConn’ Beer Debuts with Glowing Reviews

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Stacked cans of “Brew Conn” beer displayed on a wooden table.Group of people in a brewery listening to a person explaining equipment and processes.

Our two senior design teams advised by Professor Jenn Pascal brewed with Kinsmen Brewing Co. for an exclusive launch event for UConn Brewing Innovation. It was a brew-tastic event last Tuesday with 300+ alumni, faculty, and students attending.

For the past three years, Professor Pascal has been offering a brewing course to allow senior chemical engineering students to apply their knowledge. They gained hands-on experience in brewing beer using homebrew scale equipment and kits. This year, the capstone course expanded, by offering trips to Smokedown Hops Farm in Sharon, Thrall Family Malt in Windsor, and two visits to the Kinsmen Brewing to learn about processing and canning. This has been a great experience both for those planning careers in craft brewing and for those seeking other endeavors, because of the real-world skills they’ve learned. As Professor Pascal has also highlighted: “Many chemical engineers work in the food and beverage industry. Chemical engineers are ‘process’ engineers and brewing beer involves optimizing processes and ways to improve them, all relevant skills in an assortment of industries.’’

Learn more about how Professor Pascal’s course and capstone project are transforming chemical and biomolecular engineering studies with hands-on brewing experience for our seniors on UConn Today.

Dorian Thompson Wins Graduate Student Competition in Sensors at the AIChE Annual Meeting

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Person standing beside a presentation slide on PFAS detection at a conference or academic talk.Warmest congratulations to Dorian Thompson for an outstanding achievement—securing the 3rd place in the Graduate Student Competition in Sensors at the AIChE Annual Meeting! Dorian works on PFAS detection under the advising of Professor Yu Lei.

This win is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our graduate students, driving forward groundbreaking advancements in the field. Here’s to the continued success and impact of our student’s research at the forefront of chemical and biomolecular engineering!

EPA Testing Shows the Power of DIY Air Filters to Trap Viruses

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Group of children and adults posing in a classroom around a colorful project display with rainbow wings.
After the EPA released its exciting testing results about the power of D-I-Y air filters, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz took a celebratory photo with 5th graders at Macdonough Elementary School in Middletown, Conn. along with State Sen. Matt Lesser, and researchers from the EPA and UConn’s Indoor Air Quality Initiative.

The UConn Indoor Air Quality Initiative Team which our very own Professor Kristina Wagstrom is a co-investigator in, has just unveiled groundbreaking results from their collaboration with the US Environmental Protection Agency!

Their findings reveal that DIY air filters (known as ‘Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes’) can remove over 99% of viruses within just one hour. This breakthrough has enormous implications for improving indoor air quality and public health. This research not only advances the field of environmental science but also presents an incredible opportunity to engage students of all ages in meaningful projects that have a tangible impact on their communities.

Professor Wagstrom has also highlighted that “It’s not only a cool, fun thing to build, but it’s something they can actually connect to their everyday lives and helps them connect to how STEM and science and engineering can really help people.”

Read more on UConn Today.

Read more on News 8 Daily News (WTNH).

Shor Nominated for the Research Innovation and Leadership Award

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Connecticut Technology Council Women In Innovation Awards
UConn Engineering Leila Daneshmandi, Audrey Larson, Leslie Shor, and Fei Dou at the Connecticut Technology Council Women In Innovation Awards on Oct. 25.

Warmest congratulations to Professor Leslie Shor on her nomination for the Research Innovation and Leadership award in the 8th Annual Women of Innovation Awards led by the Connecticut Technology Council!

Several University of Connecticut women leading STEM, innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives were recognized in a state-wide event last week.

The UConn College of Engineering garnered several awards in the 18th Annual Women of Innovation Awards led by the Connecticut Technology Council held at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven on Oct. 25.

Read more on UConn Today.

1881 Series featuring UConn Brewing Innovation & Student Brewed Can Release

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Jennifer Pascal on Sept. 15, 2016.

Our two senior design teams advised by Professor Jenn Pascal are brewing with Kinsmen Brewing Co. for an exclusive launch event for UConn Brewing Innovation. This initiative marks a unique collaboration between UConn students and some of Connecticut’s finest breweries! This is a moment to celebrate the spirit of innovation and community, where the art of brewing meets the science of chemical engineering.

📆 Mark your calendar: Tuesday, November 28, 2023
🕒 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
📍 Location: Kinsmen Brewing Co., 409 Canal St.Milldale, CT 06467

Join us at the 1881 Series featuring UConn Brewing Innovation & Student Brewed Can Release (Registration link on UConn Foundation Website).

Burkey wins $2.5M NSF S-STEM Grant to Support Students Majoring in Computing, Data Sciences

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A newly awarded $2.5M National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) grant—spearheaded by Professor and Associate Dean Daniel Burkey—will support low-income and first-generation students majoring in computing and data science at the University of Connecticut (UConn).

Professor Burkey said UConn will use the grant—titled “Community, Identity, and Competence: Supporting Low-Income Students in Computing and the Data Sciences”—to assist approximately 30 students over the next six years of the grant. Students, who will go through an application and selection process, will be eligible for up to $15,000 per year throughout the entirety of their degree.

S-STEM is a signature program from the NSF that supports low-income and first-generation students with academic ability, talent, or potential to pursue successful careers in promising STEM fields. The grant includes scholarship funds as well as a cohort model that provides various programmatic, curricular, and co-curricular activities to ensure that students are well-supported, from matriculation through graduation, and prepared for the workforce or further graduate study.

UConn Celebrates the Inauguration of Radenka Maric as 17th President

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President Radenka Maric
UConn President Radenka Maric poses for a photo during her inauguration in the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 29, 2023. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

Warmest congratulations to President Radenka Maric, an acclaimed innovator in clean energy technology whose leadership as a vice president helped propel UConn to new heights in research funding, formally inaugurated as the 17th president of the University of Connecticut in a ceremony Friday afternoon at the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts.

President Maric joined UConn’s College of Engineering faculty in 2010 and holds the rank of Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor. She is also the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Professor of Sustainable Energy in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Read more about President’s inauguration on UConn Today.

Guarantees of Optimality: A New Model to Help the Manufacturing Industry Transition to Renewables

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Matthew Stuber

Pratt & Whitney Associate Professor in Advanced Systems Engineering Matthew Stuber worked with two undergraduate students and co-lead authors Justin Rastinejad ’22 (ENG) and Sloane Putnam ’22 (ENG) answer this question in their recent paper published in Renewable Energy.

Stuber explains that this research answers a question he has been thinking about for several years now, “How do we start incorporating renewable energy into conventional industrial processes? Is it always worth it? The alternative is to buy energy in the form of fossil fuels, invest in renewables, or generate energy onsite through renewable means.”

Read more about this on UConn Today.

Austin Gelinas & Pranavi Rebala Triumph in Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Challenge

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Two people presenting on stage, one speaking into a microphone while the other holds a remote, with a presentation screen in the background.
Austin Gelinas ’25 (ENG), left, Pranavi Rebala ’25 (CLAS) present their research on an iterative approach to renewable energy transition during “The Sustainable Clean Energy Summit: Decarbonizing Society and the Grid” at the Student Union Theater on Oct. 4, 2023. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Warmest congratulations to Austin Gelinas and Pranavi Rebala, two brilliant undergraduate students from Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and College of Liberal Arts, respectively, who emerged as champions in the Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Challenge! They not only took the lead among six outstanding teams but also presented an ingenious strategy to reduce New England’s heavy reliance on natural gas.

Austin and Pranavi’s visionary approach demonstrates the incredible potential for positive change. Their two-part strategy not only sets a precedent for sustainable energy but also highlights the pivotal role UConn can play in this endeavor.

 

Read more on their Winning Project “Enhancing Connecticut’s Green Economy: Comprehensive Short and Long-Term Approach to Renewable Energy Transition” and the event on UConn Today.

Inspiring Story of our Ph.D. Student Laron Burrows

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Portrait of a man in a suit and tie standing outdoors in front of a brick wall.Laron Burrows, making remarkable strides in environmental innovation. His groundbreaking work focuses on cleaning up one of the world’s dirtiest chemical processes, ammonia production. Along with Prof. George Bollas, he has developed a new chemical looping reactor that is smaller, more efficient, and less expensive than traditional methods.

Laron is an entrepreneur at heart, and his startup company Andros will be competing in two major entrepreneurship challenges later this month. Best of luck to him!

Read the full article to learn more about Laron’s incredible journey and the impact they are making in UConn Today.

Dr. Stuber Appointed as the Pratt & Whitney Associate Professor in Advanced Systems Engineering

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Professional headshot of a person with short dark hair styled back, wearing blue rectangular glasses, a gray suit jacket, white patterned dress shirt, and navy tie with small dots, posed against a light gray background.Warmest congratulations to Dr. Matthew Stuber on his appointment as the Pratt & Whitney Associate Professor in Advanced Systems Engineering! 

Dr. Stuber’s dedication to excellence and tireless commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge have earned him this well-deserved recognition. His contributions to the field of advanced systems engineering have been nothing short of exceptional, and we are proud to have him as a part of our academic community. We eagerly anticipate the continued impact and contributions Dr. Stuber will make in this new role.

Dr. Laurencin Receives the Kathryn C. Hach Award from ACS

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Cato LaurencinWarmest congratulations to Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, the recipient of the 2024 Kathryn C. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success as part of the 2024 ACS National Awards! This award recognizes Dr. Laurencin’s outstanding contributions to the world of entrepreneurship, innovation, and scientific leadership. His pioneering work in the field of regenerative engineering and tissue engineering has not only transformed the medical landscape but has also laid the foundation for groundbreaking entrepreneurial endeavors. Read more about Dr. Laurencin and other outstanding recipients of the 2024 ACS National Awards in the Chemical & Engineering News. 

Cho Awarded a $3M NIH Grant to Study Alzheimer’s Disease

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Young ChoProfessor Yongku Cho has been awarded a $3M R01 grant from the National Institutes on Aging to study the tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease. The project will be a collaboration with Prof. Jesse Rinehart at Yale University and Prof. Lukasz Joachimiak at the University of Texas Southwest Medical. The overarching goal is to elucidate how phosphorylations and other protein modifications in the tau protein affect its toxicity and structure.

To study tau phosphorylation, they will use a synthetic biology approach to produce tau proteins with exact phosphorylation patterns in E. coli. Using this approach, they recently demonstrated that a single phosphorylation could impact the ability to assemble into potentially toxic forms that cause more aggregation in cells. Through this project, they aim to identify the molecular signature in the tau protein responsible for its toxicity in the brain.

Warmest congratulations to Dr. Cho on this remarkable accomplishment!

Zhou to Lead Clean Energy Engineering Efforts at UConn

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Xiao-Dong Zhou We are thrilled to introduce and welcome Professor Xiao-Dong Zhou to our academic family as he takes on a pivotal role in leading our clean energy engineering efforts. As a UConn Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Faculty, Dr. Zhou will also serve as the Director of the UConn Center for Clean Energy Engineering (C2E2), a special advisor on sustainable energies to President Radenka Maric and Vice President for Research Pamir Alpay, the Nicholas E. Madonna Endowed Chair in Sustainability, and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Professor in Sustainable Energy. He will also hold joint appointments in the Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering departments.

Dr. Zhou comes to UConn from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) where he served as the Stuller Endowed Chair in the Chemical Engineering Department and the director of the Institute for Materials Research and Innovations. In 2021, the Electrochemical Society named Zhou a Fellow for his efforts in clean energy innovations. Since 2017, Zhou has secured more than $23 million in grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy. Prior to UL Lafayette, Zhou worked as a professor of chemical engineering at the University of South Carolina where he was honored the prestigious J. Bruce Wagner, Jr. Young Investigator Award for demonstrating exceptional promise in the field of high-temperature energy, materials, and processes. 

For an in-depth look at Dr. Zhou’s remarkable journey and his vision for clean energy, check out the full UConn Today article here.

Join us in welcoming Dr. Zhou as he embarks on this exciting chapter of his career. His leadership and dedication will undoubtedly inspire our students and faculty, propelling us to new heights in the pursuit of knowledge and sustainable innovation.

Prof. Dan Burkey and Colleagues Win Himmelblau Award from AIChE

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Prof. Daniel Burkey, Ph.D., M.A.Ed. has been selected as one of the winners of the prestigious David Himmelblau Award for Innovations in Computer-Based Chemical Engineering Education, sponsored by the Computing and Systems Technology Division (CAST) of AIChE.

Together with colleagues Cheryl Bodnar (Rowan University), Daniel Anastasio (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) and Matt Cooper (NC State University), Burkey is being recognized for his contributions to Contents Under Pressure, a digital immersive game that allows students to take on the role of a supervisor at a chemical production facility.

Contents Under Pressure gives students the opportunity to make decisions in a chemical plant that affect things like safety, productivity, and their own reputation and standing with their colleagues at the plant. The ultimate goal of the game is to get students to recognize the complexity of process safety judgements under realistic, real-world constraints and hopefully help them make better decisions as practicing engineers.

Contents Under Pressure was developed by the research team with funding from the National Science Foundation and in collaboration with educational games designer Filament Games. In addition to the Himmelblau award in 2023, Contents Under Pressure was also recognized at the 2022 International Serious Play Awards as a Silver Medalist.

Burkey and the rest of the team will accept the award at the CAST Division Dinner, to be held at the AIChE Annual Meeting in Orlando in November.

In addition to the 2023 Himmelblau Award, Prof. Burkey is also the recipient of the 2021 Corcoran Award from the Chemical Engineering Division of ASEE and the 2020 Award for Innovation in Chemical Engineering Education from the AICHE Education Division. He currently serves as the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education in the School of Engineering, and is a 2020 Inductee into the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and a 2019 University Teaching Fellow.

Ozkan to Lead Engineering Education and Experimental Learning Initiative at UConn

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Headshot of a woman with curly hair, wearing a dark blazer over a light blouse, smiling against a plain background.Desen Ozkan recognizes that engineering is traditionally thought of as using math and science to solve problems in the world.

But what is missing from this definition—and the engineering curriculum—she says, are the contexts in which engineers interact in a world of political, social, and economic consequences.

“When engineering is portrayed as a field that encompasses various contexts and is influenced by social and technological factors, it can have a positive impact on the individuals who choose to pursue a career in engineering,” she said. “If engineers fail to consider the social and political aspects surrounding their work, they may unintentionally contribute to existing problems and inequalities.”

Ozkan, a new tenure-track Assistant Professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, will join the University of Connecticut’s School of Engineering next fall. In addition to her own chemical engineering scholarship and instruction, in the future, Ozkan will develop a preliminary curriculum for new initiatives in engineering education and experiential learning.

Celebrating Our Outstanding Graduate Students

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Graphic with a star-themed blue background announcing Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Travel Awards and Teaching Assistant Awards, listing recipients and congratulating them.
Star-themed blue graphic announcing “2023 Research Excellence Awards” for Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, listing recipients and offering congratulations.
The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department would like to congratulate our graduate students on winning the 2023 Research Excellence, Travel, and Teaching Assistant Awards! Congratultions to all the winners! CBE Travel Award Recipients: Utsav Awasthi, Zahir Aghayev, Heejeong Ryu, Dorian Thompson, Chung-Hao Liu. CBE TA Award Recipients: Steven Tricarico, Dimitri Alston, Hasan Nikkhah. CBE Research Excellence Award Recipients: Heejeong Ryu, Utsav Awasthi, Robert Gottlieb. These students' achievements serve as an inspiration to fellow graduate students and demonstrate the incredible potential of our academic community.

Congratulations to Dr. Burcu Beykal

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Woman with dark shoulder-length hair and glasses wearing a navy blazer and light blue shirt, photographed against a plain gray background.The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department would like to congratulate CBE faculty member, Dr. Burcu Beykal on being invited to give a keynote speech at the Foundations of Computer Aided Process Design (FOCAPD) 2024 conference, which is one of the leading conference series in the field of chemical process design.

CBE Students Among Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Program Finalists

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Aerial view of a university campus with a central building, green spaces, and autumn-colored trees.Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering students, Hasan Nikkhah and Dev Barochia, in collaboration with Francesco Rouhana from UConn Civil and Environmental Engineering, have been selected as finalists in the Clean Energy & Sustainability Innovation Program. Their project, “Social and technical remedies for sustainable UConn using renewable energy sources”, has set them apart as true champions of change!

This prestigious program, organized by the UConn School of Engineering CLEANEARTH Laboratory, and sponsored by Eversource Energy and the Eversource Energy Center at UConn, recognizes their exciting idea for advancing clean energy and sustainability. Their project highlights the importance of leveraging renewable energy sources and implementing social and technical solutions for sustainable practices at our institution.

Read more on UConn Today.

Celebrating a Phenomenal Graduate

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A person in glasses and a blue patterned shirt faces the camera with a neutral expression against a softly blurred tiled background.As a McNair Scholar and Honors Chemical Engineering student, Shihao Zhai has exemplified the highest standards of scholarship and commitment to the field. Throughout his undergraduate years, Shihao’s contributions to our department and the broader community have been invaluable. As he embarks on the next phase of his career, we wish him continued success, growth, and fulfillment.

Read more about Shihao’s journey on UConn Today.

First SPARK Cohort Reports Significant Advancements

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A person in a blazer and glasses speaks at a podium, gesturing toward a whiteboard behind them.
Chemical and biological engineering Professor Luyi Sun presents on progress made on his research into high-performance nanocoatings. (Photo courtesy of McKaylah DeKay)

The first cohort to receive the SPARK funding has reported significant advancements in their products and concepts. UConn CBE Professor Luyi Sun, a researcher of high-performance nanocoatings, was among the recipients of this funding. It’s inspiring to see how this funding has helped to accelerate the developent of cutting-edge technologies. Congratulations to all recipients!

Read more about this funding program on UConn Today.

Dr. Laurencin Leads Charge In Quest to Restore Lost Limbs

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Man wearing a white medical coat and bow tie seated at a desk in an office, with bookshelves and framed certificates in the background.World-renowned surgeon and scientist, Dr. Cato Laurencin, has founded a new startup to help humans regrow limbs. With over 30 years of experience in the field of regenerative engineering, Dr. Laurencin is leading the charge in developing cutting-edge technologies to restore lost limbs and enhance the body’s natural healing abilities. We are thrilled to see such groundbreaking research taking place right here in the UConn Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department!

Read more about this research on Hartford Business.

The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering

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Man speaking at the front of a lecture hall with a large presentation slide displayed behind him listing themes related to science, justice, mentorship, and technology.The University of Connecticut has established The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a new cross-campus institute focused on innovative approaches in medicine, science, engineering, and technology. We are thrilled that this new institute is named in honor of Cato T. Laurnecin, our distinguished professor in the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and a leading figure in the field of regnerative engineering. Congratulations to Professor Laurnecin on this exciting new venture!

Read more about the institute and Dr. Laurencin’s research in regenerative engineering on UConn Today.

Improved Methods for Generating Convex and Concave Relaxations of Composite Bilinear Forms

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Four 3D surface plots comparing a smooth surface (brown/orange) with an overlaid cyan mesh, shown from different viewing angles with x, y, and z axes.Professor Matthew Stuber, PhD and Dr. Matthew Wilhelm’s most recent publication presents new and improved methods for generating convex and concave relaxations of composite bilinear forms. They establish the theoretical framework to generate tighter McCormick-based relaxations in reduced space when intermediate bilinear terms have known convex or concave relaxations. These developments translate into significant speedups when solving deterministic global optimization problems involving these ubiquitous mathematical terms.

Read the full publication on the Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications.

Dr. Cato Laurencin Receives Priestley Medal

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Cover of Chemical & Engineering News magazine featuring Cato T. Laurencin, identified as the 2023 Priestley Medalist, wearing a blue suit and red bow tie.
The CBE Department would like to congratulate Professor Cato T. Laurencin on receiving the Priestley Medal, the highest honor in Chemistry after the Nobel Prize. This award recognizes his pioneering work in the fields of polymer science, biomaterials, and regenerative engineering, which has transformed the landscape of modern medicine. Professor Laurencin is an inspiration to many, and his contributions to science will have a lasting impact on generations to come. To read Dr. Laurencin's speech in Chemical & Engineering News, please click here.

CBE Faculty Among Team of Faculty Establishing SoilTech Project

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A framed logo showing a hand holding soil with a green sprout above it, alongside the text “SoilTech.”A new center composed of interdisciplinary researchers, including our faculty members Yu Lei and Matthew Stuber, has been established to address the industry’s need for reliable soil sensors. The center will focus on developing innovative solutions for measuring soil properties using hydrogels, and it is sponsored by the National Science Foundation’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program. This research will support the development of precision agriculture, an approach that focuses on applying fertilizers or pesticides only in the areas needed, decreasing the accumulation of dangerous chemicals, promoting plant health, and helping farmers save money.

Read more about the center on UConn Today.

SPE Honors CBE Emeritus Professor Montgomery Shaw

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A magazine-style page announcing a symposium honoring Montgomery Shaw, featuring a photo of two people smiling at a formal event, with one holding a certificate.Honoring the work of our Emeritus Professor, Dr. Montgomery Shaw, the SPE Applied Rheology Division recently hosted the full-day Shaw Symposium for Polymer Processing, Rheology, and Characterization. The event brought together renowned colleagues who presented their work in rheology and polymer processing at a special symposium, celebrating Dr. Shaw’s many contributions to the field. As a pioneer in rheology, Dr. Shaw is an influential researcher whose work helped shape the field of polymer processing.

Read more on this honor in the latest issue of Plastics Engineering magazine.