Four faculty members from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering received honors in Iowa State University’s 2015 Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony, which was hosted by President Steven Leath in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.
Dr. Brent Shanks, Mike and Jean Steffenson Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was recognized for being named Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering. Distinguished Professor is the highest honor the university bestows. It recognizes accomplishments in research and/or creative activities that have had a significant impact on the individual’s discipline; and those who have demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility. Shanks is the Director of the NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC).
Dr. Derrick Rollins was honored as University Professor in chemical and biological engineering. The title of University Professor is conferred on a faculty member who has acted as a change agent by having made significant contributions to improve the university, and who has demonstrated outstanding performance in at least one other area of faculty responsibility.
Dr. R. Dennis Vigil, professor of chemical and biological engineering, was honored as a recipient of the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence. The award is presented by the Board of Regents to recognize tenured faculty members who are outstanding university citizens and who have rendered significant service to the university and/or to the state of Iowa. Vigil and others in this group of honorees will be further recognized at an upcoming ceremony and were not photographed at this event.
Dr. Balaji Narasimhan, Vlasta Klima Balloun Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, received the Iowa State University Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research. It recognizes a tenured faculty member who has a national or international reputation for contributions in research, and who has influenced the research activities of students.
The university’s faculty and staff awards are presented annually and are determined through a nomination process.
