Spring 2011 - Department of Chemical Engineering - Texas A&M ...

Michael V. Pishko
Department Head and
Charles D. Holland ‘53 Professor
Note from the Department Head
Of the many achievements that continue to take place within the walls of this
department, the cultivation of a rigorous but rewarding educational experience for
our students is one accomplishment of which our faculty remains particularly proud.
It’s this unique academic environment – one that melds intense learning with
personal growth opportunities for our undergraduates – that defines chemical
engineering education at Texas A&M University.
Fostering such an experience requires devoted faculty members, and this
department is fortunate to have such individuals. Not only are they outstanding
researchers within their respective fields, they are outstanding teachers – teachers
who leverage their extraordinary knowledge and abilities to educate the next
generation of chemical engineers.
Of course, it also helps to have incredibly talented and ambitious students
who are eager to learn, and we’ve got those too. Whether they are participating in
study abroad programs, conducting community service projects or assisting with
research, the students within this department consistently accept new challenges
and rise to meet the lofty educational standards set for them. What’s more, they
don’t stop once they graduate; they go on to become significant leaders in the
chemical engineering field.
With those things in mind, we’ve decided to take a more active role in
highlighting some of our student-related endeavors. Beginning with this issue, our
department will devote each spring edition of its magazine to our students and our
student-related activities. I believe this new format serves as a nice complement to
our research-intensive fall edition by shining the spotlight on some well-deserving
individuals and programs. I hope you enjoy our stories.
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CONTENTS
Summer of Science
Through the department’s “Research
Experience for Undergraduates” program,
students are learning the ins and outs of
research and deciding if graduate school
is the right move for them.
Prospecting in Aggieland
A university-wide open house gives
prospective college students the opportunity
to learn about chemical engineering and
its impact on the world.
East of Aggieland
The department’s study abroad program in
China challenges students academically while
bolstering their cultural awareness.
Around the Department
Chemical engineering students and faculty
members excel.
Former Student Spotlight
Charlie Shaver, a 1980 chemical engineering
graduate and CEO/ president of TPC Group,
Inc., knows that the people in his company are
as valuable as the products they produce.
Department at a Glance
Total Faculty 32
Professors 14
Associate Professors 5
Assistant Professors 8
Non-tenured/ Non-tenure Track 5
Endowed Chair Holders 3
Endowed Professorship Holders 10
U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Rankings Among Public Institutions
11th Undergraduate
17th Graduate
Research Areas
Biomedical and Biomolecular
Complex Fluids
Computational Chemical Engineering
Environmental
Materials
Microelectronics
Microfluidics
Modeling and Simulation
Nanotechnology
Process Safety
Process Systems Engineering
Reaction Engineering
Thermodynamics
Thoughts on a story or suggestions for a future issue?
Please direct all comments to Ryan A. Garcia, communications coordinator for the
Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University.
PHONE: 979.845.9237
EMAIL: ryan.garcia99@tamu.edu
MAIL: Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering
Texas A&M University
3122 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3122
THE ARTIE MCFERRIN DEPARTMENT OF
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING MAGAZINE, Issue 6,
Spring Edition, April 2011
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Friends of Chemical Engineering at
Texas A&M
Support of the Artie McFerrin Department of
Chemical Engineering throughout the last year
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