Recent Announcements
Shannon Ciston (B.S. CHE '04) Shares Alumni Experience
Greetings!
I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. There I am conducting research in the lab of Professor Kimberly A. Gray, where we focus on problems relevant to environmental and energy issues. My research project centers on the development of a water filtration system with outstanding resistance to chemical and biological fouling. I have presented the latest progress of my work at national chemical engineering and chemistry meetings throughout the country.
At Northwestern, I have also had numerous opportunities to develop my interest in teaching and outreach. I am actively involved with Northwestern’s Searle Center for Teaching Excellence, and just completed the Graduate Teaching Certificate Program. I also coordinate a student group that makes ongoing visits to a local middle school to provide an after-school science enrichment program.
My undergraduate education in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology challenged me with rigorous academic programs, and provided me with the tools I needed to succeed: knowledgeable and supportive professors, a friendly and diverse student body, and opportunities to be a leader on campus. Throughout the stages of prospective student, undergraduate, and alum, I have always appreciated the sincerity with which the members of the IIT community value one another. At IIT I was fortunate to be selected as a Camras scholar, fulfilling a life-long dream to attend a great school on a full scholarship.
When I was a senior undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant for the first two courses of the Chemical Engineering curriculum: Introduction to the Profession. The time I spent in the classroom with the freshmen students was completely exciting, and I have been hooked on teaching since then. Combined with undergraduate research experiences and the support of faculty members, this love for teaching led me to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. When I finish my degree work, I will seek a position in which I can continue to teach undergraduate students.
When I think about IIT, I recall very fond memories of an amazing four years of my life. At IIT I met really great intelligent, down-to-earth, and talented people. I met my husband Jim Ciston at IIT, as well as a number of “IIT friends” and Kappa Phi Delta sorority sisters with whom I still spend some of my free time. I remember late-night burrito runs, singing in the Saint James gospel choir, IPRO projects, falling asleep over my physical chemistry text book, swing dancing lessons, and countless faces that will always make me smile.
When I return to IIT for alumni events and the like, I always feel right at home. I wish the IIT community and the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department in particular all the best as it continues in its mission to provide a great value education and create innovation to shape our lives.
-Shannon Ciston (B.S. CHE '04)
Professor Jai Prakash's Research Highlighted in Chemical & Engineering News
Professor Jai Prakash's research on titanate-based systems in batteries was highlighted in the December 2007 issue of Chemical & Engineering News. The article also featured a photo of Ph.D. candidate Shabab Amiruddin and postdoc Humberto Joachin researching in Professor Prakash's lab.» more
David Venerus Named Hyosung S.R. Cho Professor of ChBE
David Venerus has been appointed as the Hyosung S.R. Cho Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering for a period of three years, effective September 1.
Students Compete in 2007 ChBE Graduate Student Presentation Competition
On Friday, October 5, ten ChBE students participated in a Graduate Student Presentation Competition. The event provided students the opportunity to showcase their current research projects to alumni and faculty. Sudipto Chakraborty won first place, Raymond Losch won second place and Shabab Amiruddin won third place. Congratulations to all students who participated for an outstanding performance.ChBE Student Receives Fieldhouse Research Fellowship
ChBE congratulates Jing Huang, Ph.D. candidate working with Professor Dimitri Gidaspow, on receiving a Fieldhouse Research Fellowship for 2008. The fellowship is in memory of Mr. Irv Fieldhouse, a member of the IIT/IITRI community for more than 40 years. The annual award targets research that leads to cooperation between IIT and IITRI, the National Center for Food Safety and Technology, Fermilab or Argonne National Laboratories. To be considered for the fellowship, students must be nominated by a faculty member.Allan Myerson Receives Separations Science Award from ACS
Allan S. Myerson, Philip Danforth Armour Professor of Engineering, Provost and Senior Vice President was recently announced as the winner of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Award in Separations Science and Technology. The ACS announced the 2008 National Awards on August 20; the recipients will be honored at the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in conjunction with the 235th ACS national meeting in New Orleans, La.