Author: John Burnett-Larkins

High honor for CBE’s Mallapragada; inducted as National Academy of Inventors Fellow

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s (CBE) Dr. Surya Mallapragada has joined an elite group of research and academic officials following her official induction as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The honor was bestowed at the Sixth Annual NAI Conference in Boston. Dr. Pat Halbur, DVM, executive director of the … Continue reading High honor for CBE’s Mallapragada; inducted as National Academy of Inventors Fellow

ISU Chem-E Car team advances to nationals; part of strong regional student conference effort

For the second consecutive year, a team of Iowa State students is set to “go racing” at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) national conference in the organization’s Chem-E Car competition. In the recent AIChE Mid-America Student Regional Conference for chemical engineering undergraduates at the University of Tulsa, ISU’s “Lime-E Lanterns” team took first … Continue reading ISU Chem-E Car team advances to nationals; part of strong regional student conference effort

Joint CBE-CCEE Bio-Polymer Facility celebrates first production run

The Iowa State University Bio-Polymer Processing Facility, which opened in 2015, has celebrated a major milestone: It recently launched its first production run of biopolymers – plastics that are made from the conversion of fats and vegetables. Construction of the plant, which is located in the ISU BioCentury Farm, was spearheaded by Department of Chemical … Continue reading Joint CBE-CCEE Bio-Polymer Facility celebrates first production run

Important NSF fellowship for chemical engineering grad student Deon Ploessl

Iowa State University chemical engineering graduate student Deon Ploessl has been named a recipient of the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. Ploessl was an Iowa State Chemical and Biological Engineering undergraduate who received his B.S. in May of 2016 and then entered the graduate program. The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program recognizes … Continue reading Important NSF fellowship for chemical engineering grad student Deon Ploessl

new faculty members

Johnson, Vaughn fellowships for CBE professors announced

Two Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering faculty members have been appointed the recipients of fellowships. Assistant Professor Zengyi Shao has been named Jack and Carol Johnson Faculty Fellow; and Assistant Professor Tom Mansell will be the Karen and Dennis Vaughn Faculty Fellow. Jack Johnson, who received a B.S. in computer science from Iowa State … Continue reading Johnson, Vaughn fellowships for CBE professors announced

Lanny Robbins

Lanny Robbins set to lend expertise to faculty, students

Iowa State chemical engineering alumnus and noted member of the National Academy of Engineering Lanny Robbins has arrived on campus to begin his new position with the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Originally announced in the fall of 2016, Robbins joins the department as a distinguished faculty fellow. As a faculty member in the … Continue reading Lanny Robbins set to lend expertise to faculty, students

John Burnett-Larkins

All smiles! Undergraduates celebrate with the traditional group photo at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Pre-Commencement Reception December 16. The department conferred 39 undergraduate and two graduate degrees to students who hail from the United States, China, Ecuador, Malaysia and Nigeria. Congratulations to all!

Yue Wu receives award

CBE’s Yue Wu receives chemical engineering honor at conference

Dr. Yue Wu, Herbert L. Stiles Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has been honored at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting in San Francisco. He was presented with the group’s prestigious Nanoscale Science & Engineering (NSEF) Young Investigator Award. The honor recognizes outstanding interdisciplinary research in nanoscience and nanotechnology by … Continue reading CBE’s Yue Wu receives chemical engineering honor at conference

aiche students with governor branstad

John Burnett-Larkins

Unexpected travel partner! CBE’s student contingent headed to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting in San Francisco shared a flight out of Des Moines with Governor Branstad, who was kind enough to join them for this group photo. Among many activities at the conference, the undergraduate students will compete in the national Chem-E-Car … Continue reading

Michael Brady inducted to Hall of Fame

Michael Brady, ’65 graduate, enters CBE Hall of Fame

Iowa State University alumnus Michael D. Brady has been inducted into the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering Hall of Fame. He was honored as part of the department’s recent Awards Banquet. Dr. Brady earned a B.S. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University in 1965. He then went on to earn a Ph.D. at … Continue reading Michael Brady, ’65 graduate, enters CBE Hall of Fame

Award recipients honored

Award recipients Vaughn, Kipper are honored by CBE

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering toasted two of its own prior to the annual University Honors and Awards ceremony. Department alums Dennis (Denny) J. Vaughn (B.S.’70) is the recipient of the Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering (PACE) award; and Matt J. Kipper (B.S. ’00, Ph.D. ’04) is the recipient of the Professional Progress … Continue reading Award recipients Vaughn, Kipper are honored by CBE

Surya Mallapragada honored

Mallapragada recognized as Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in university ceremony

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s Dr. Surya Mallapragada has been officially recognized as Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering in the University Awards ceremony. She was presented with a framed certificate by Iowa State University President Steven Leath and Senior Vice President and Provost Jonathan Wickert. The title of distinguished professor honors exemplary … Continue reading Mallapragada recognized as Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in university ceremony

Wenzhen Li

An eye on Mars: Li’s photoelectrolysis research could take human benefit to new levels

Researchers in Iowa State University’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) are harnessing the potential of photosynthesis – one of the fundamental natural process that exists on Earth – with an eye on someday using photosynthesis to help humans live on Mars. Richard Seagrave Associate Professor Dr. Wenzhen Li is leading a study to … Continue reading An eye on Mars: Li’s photoelectrolysis research could take human benefit to new levels

A summer of fellowship and research wraps up for CBE’s BioMap REU students

Twelve chemical and biological engineering undergraduates from near and far are heading home with great memories and valuable research experience following a summer at Iowa State. They were participants in the Biological Materials and Processes Research Experience for Undergraduates (BioMaP REU) program in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE). The program brings undergraduates … Continue reading A summer of fellowship and research wraps up for CBE’s BioMap REU students

From “teaching” science to “doing” science: High school educators enjoy research in CBE

“There is a change in science teaching standards going on. It is a shift in approach from ‘teaching’ science to ‘doing’ science,” says Jeremy Morrow, a science teacher at Hoover High School in Des Moines. As a participant in this this year’s Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program, that philosophy will impact how he educates … Continue reading From “teaching” science to “doing” science: High school educators enjoy research in CBE