Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

HALL NEWS OLINOctober 2018 No. 107

SYMPOSIUM HONORS BIOENGINEERING PIONEER MIKE SHULER 8 TABLE OF DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE CONTENTS

renovation. College advising and registrar celebrate the exceptional career of Mike Thank you all for your engagement will be moving out of the first floor, Shuler. As many of you know, Mike has with the Smith School. As always, please MESSAGE FROM allowing us to transform the second and been a cherished colleague and mentor be in touch and come visit us whenever third floors into state-of-the-art research and an internationally respected scholar you can! labs. This project represents a major step and innovator. We are lucky to have him THE DIRECTOR: toward the school having full ownership of continue as a colleague in an emeritus Sincerely, Olin Hall (Dusty Rhodes’ intent, of course) position. In other bittersweet news, and the largest growth in our research Paulette Clancy also retired into an emerita ABE STROOCK footprint in 30 years. Continuing this position this summer to take on a newly momentum toward a complete renovation created department head role in CBE at DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF of the building is a major priority in these Johns Hopkins. She has been a pioneer as coming years to support programmatic the school’s first woman faculty member THE SMITH SCHOOL, growth and exciting new initiatives (see and as a leader in the use of molecular Abe Stroock giving opportunities on page 36). simulation in our field. She will be sorely Gordon L. Dibble '50 Professor and he view and prospects are still Chuang ’18 mounting an exhibit at the In closing, I point you to the cover missed as a colleague and leader at William C. Hooey Director excellent from Smith School’s Johnson Museum (page 29) to Snehashis story of this issue (page 8) on the Cornell. perch up on Ithaca’s East Hill. Choudhury, Ph.D. ’18 developing symposium we held this past summer to As the days grow cooler outside, competitive new battery technologies the Olin Hall is warming up with (page 28). It is a privilege for the faculty Tthe energy of new and returning students. and staff to host all of this energy and successful year of hiring. Nick Abbott They are taking on the classics (mass and talent each year. Luckily chemical and joined us this year from the University of TABLE OF CONTENTS energy balances, thermo, unit operations biomolecular engineering continues to Wisconsin to become a Tisch University lab…), new challenges (biomolecular attract the best and brightest. Professor in the Smith School. Nick is Faculty Research: Professor Yong Joo...... 2 To support this vibrancy, the school’s engineering, product design, sustainable a member of the NAE and a world- Robert Smith Initiatives...... 6 energy systems…), and leadership roles faculty has been busy and growing. renowned innovator in the science and across the campus in research, engineering Our faculty continue to fill important application of soft materials (page 22). Symposium Honors Professor Mike Shuler...... 8 project, the arts, outreach and mentorship. leadership roles at Cornell: Lynden Archer In 2019, we will be joined by two junior Alumni News...... 12 Our students are motors of activity and has taken on the directorship of the faculty—Dr. Sijin Li of Stanford and Dr. In Memoriam...... 13 Cornell Energy Systems Institute (page innovation. Rong Yang of Harvard Medical School— CBE News & Events...... 14 With support from the school as 20) and Jeff Tester (former director of the who will broaden and deepen our Robert F. Smith Initiatives, graduate college’s Energy Institute) has been named strengths in biomolecular and biomaterials Reunion 2018...... 15 students launched a podcast series— scientific lead on a university project to engineering. ChemE Vegas Night...... 17 Science Blender—from Olin (page 7) heat the campus with deep geothermal This issue includes an article authored Cornell Energy Systems Institute...... 20 and organized Cornell’s first graduate energy. Lynden has also been elected to by Yong Joo, the BP Amoco/H. Laurance Welcome Professor Nicholas Abbott...... 22 student reunion (keep an eye out for the National Academy of Engineering Fuller Professor of Engineering (page the announcement of next year’s grad (NAE) for the impact of his research 2). He provides an inside view into the Faculty News and Awards...... 23 reunion). The UGs have also led Smith and the excellence of his leadership research activities of his lab on processing Staff News...... 24 Initiatives. A particularly ambitious (page 23). Chris Alabi and Fengqi You of advanced materials for energy Graduate News...... 25 one—Chemical Engineering Crash Course have been honored by awards from the applications, including a discussion of how Undergraduate Profiles...... 29 or 4C—has developed curriculum and American Chemical Society and American he is moving his research into industry hands-on projects to introduce engineering Institute of Chemical Engineers (page 23). through entrepreneurial activities and Congratulations to the Class of 2018...... 32 principles to local high-school students Impressively, Matt Paszek won the coveted collaborations. Undergraduate Awards...... 33 (page 6). Tau Beta Pi teaching award, making it two Following up on the cover story Giving Opportunities...... 36 Student profiles in this issue of in a row for the Smith School (Chris Alabi from last year’s Olin Hall News about the Olin Hall News highlight the richness was honored last year). renewal of Olin Hall, starting in January Photos provided by Thomas Hoebbel Photography, John Reis Photography, and University Photography. of student activities, from Grace We also had an exceptionally of 2019, we will start a first phase of the

1 | OLIN Hall News FACULTY RESEARCH

them generally leads to low bulk density electrospray,” this new process achieves SCALABLE NANO-MANUFACTURING materials, meaning that with the given what many had been chasing in the battery space, you can’t put in a large amount of field: scalability with dense but controlled PROCESSES FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE the material. Initially, we thought that if we assembly of nanomaterials. made good materials, battery manufacturers Electrodes and separators based on BATTERIES WITH ENHANCED SAFETY would use them. But this industry wants scalable nano-manufacturing processes electrode materials with high density that such as gas-assisted electrospinning and air- By Yong L. Joo, the BP Amoco/H. Laurance Fuller Professor of Engineering are ready to be used in their systems without controlled electrospray are about to be used modification. So we took it back to the in breakthrough batteries that deliver much drawing board. higher energy density than conventional Since then, our process has evolved technologies and can be successfully scaled again—instead of fibers, we’re now able to to be cost competitive with enhanced safety. use the same combination of forced air and But I’m just as excited at unlocking the electric field, but this time to create small fundamental secrets behind the creation of droplets that form a film. In other words, these materials and creating the synergy our group has moved from electrospinning among the components. fibers to electrospraying droplets. The A lot of understanding the interplay “gas-assisted electrospinning.” We first deposition of the sub-micron scale droplets among battery components is needed in filed a series of patents on this new process makes a very dense coating or film that both studying the process and developing and its applications, and published papers can resolve a lot of issues we had with the the process for next generation batteries. demonstrating the basic concepts behind the fiber-based system. Dubbed “air-controlled Instead of focusing one battery component, process as well as implications of process modification on the final performance of materials. COMMERCIAL APPLICATION When I co-founded a start-up company, Axium Nanofibers, with entrepreneur Eric Donsky seven years ago, the company obtained the exclusive license of this high Gas-assisted electrospinning, which utilizes both high electric field and controlled air flow, can produce nanofibers with tailored dispersion of nanoparticles. throughput, gas-assisted electrospinning process from Cornell. The battery y working to control the fiber from polymer solution. Our aim was to production and control over the products. components were initially created by formation of nanofibers understand the process behind the creation We first removed the solvents and putting novel nano-materials through this and small droplets during of the fibers, instead of relying on trial and began experimenting with water-based process which results in high quantities processing of complex error. electrospinning which allowed us to add a being created at a lower cost with improved fluids, my research group is We utilized modeling and theoretical large amount of metals and ceramics to the control of the assembly of nanoparticles Bdiscovering new ways of making batteries analysis, which gives us an edge in nanofibers, creating new hybrid materials in the fiber (see image on page 2). Within better and safer. attempting to improve the process. with promising properties especially as this process, the fibers extend and become Since joining Cornell in 2001, I have Nanofiber from this conventional battery materials. thinner because of the synergy between been working on the development of electrospinning process was limited because Secondly, we added more power. controlled gas flow and high electric field. scalable nano-manufacturing processes that the production rate is low and the operating Typically, we just use the electric field as the Despite the enhanced scalability and are mostly driven by the fluid instability. cost is high. We eliminate the use of driving force, but we added high-speed, superior tunability of material assembly The first process that my group worked on solvent, and at the same time, based on the controlled air. So there are two driving From left: Anil Netravali, professor of fiber science and apparel design, and Yong Joo, professor of by gas-assisted electrospinning, stacking chemical and biomolecular engineering, in the lab with postdocs working on new high efficiency air and was “electrospinning” where a high electric understanding of the process, we refine and forces—that’s what makes it so effective and of nanofibers with a lot of pores among water filters based on biomaterials. field is applied to draw a sub-micron scale augment this process to improve speed of synergistic. This modified process is called

2 | OLIN Hall News 3 | OLIN Hall News FACULTY RESEARCH

we are looking at how we can take scalable automotive company, Daimler AG, to polyolefin and coated polyolefin separator “IF YOU DO “Holy Grail” because of its safety. The main A NEW PERSPECTIVE nanomanufacturing processes, and improve commercialize polymer/ceramic hybrid materials while being far more thermally challenges are cost and rate capability. The wait and work have been on what’s being done and create synergy separator material we developed for use in stable and non-flammable, features critical to COLLABORATE WITH Lithium ions can travel the fastest in a liquid worthwhile, however, because the process among the components. Being able to lithium ion batteries. Battery separators are consumer safety. INDUSTRY, BEING electrolyte and are challenged to diffuse has given me a new perspective. My whole produce anode, cathode and separator intended to ensure battery safety and to also This JDA with Daimler is initially A PROFESSOR AT quickly through solids. Consequently, experience, going through this startup, gave with gas-assisted electrospinning and air- facilitate ion transport between the positive focused on the commercialization of the the recharge rate of a battery would be me a broader perspective on how to run the controlled electrospray makes its integration and negative electrodes, determining the rate polymer/ceramic separator as consumer CORNELL GIVES A very slow using a solid electrolyte unless research program here. After all, we are in into the overall system much easier. of charge and discharge of the battery. Our safety is Daimler’s primary directive of their LOT OF BENEFITS major innovations could be actualized that engineering, so whatever you do eventually In December 2017, my start-up, novel separator material was independently electric vehicle business and they believe that BECAUSE OF facilitate rapid ion transport through solid has to be linked to the benefits of humankind. Axium Nano, signed a Joint Development tested by General Motors and demonstrated this separator material is far more advanced materials and solid-solid interfaces. We have a strong footing in fundamentals, Agreement (JDA) with the leading a 2x faster recharge rate than commercial than current commercial separators. Axium’s OUR EXTENSIVE My work in ceramic/polymeric hybrid but having some exposure to the real-world NETWORK OF separators with high thermal stability and application provides new angles for tackling ALUMNI. IN MANY rate capability establish essential building problems. That has been very valuable. blocks for the solid and/or gel electrolyte to It should be noted that being able to CASES, YOU CAN realizing this high value R&D target. understand the fundamentals of nano- FIND AN ALUM In addition, I have been developing all manufacturing processes and apply them to WORKING IN the materials that comprise a breakthrough emerging areas would have not been possible lithium sulfur battery. My group has without hard work of numerous talented and THE INDUSTRY, developed a lithium sulfur cathode with motivated group members: undergraduate AND THEY VALUE high sulfur loading and superior rate researchers, graduate students and postdocs. CORNELL QUITE A capability. This cathode uses elemental These new considerations have benefited sulfur that costs less than $100/ton versus students, giving them more diverse exposure LOT.” $100,000/ton for the cost of cobalt used in a to fundamental as well as applied research — Yong L. Joo lithium-ion battery cathode. and entrepreneurship. It can be a new way The development of a solid-state of thinking and linking to a career path. As R&D team members, who are mostly electrolyte would be critical to the successful opposed to working for a large company or graduates from my research group, are commercialization of lithium-sulfur batteries becoming an academic, this is another option. working closely with Daimler to complete because of the safety risks associated with It basically diversifies the possibilities, and battery tests with three different sizes to lithium metal anodes. We’re developing there may be a lot of students who really fit further validate the performance and safety this next generation battery as a part of this kind of path. of this separator material and demonstrate the U.S. Department of Energy Battery 500 Alumni working in industry, in turn, the ability to scale manufacturing. I am Seedling Project whose purpose is to identify can help more students—and professors— collaborating with its engineering partners proof-of-concept that will complement bridge the gap between the university and to assemble a fully integrated pilot plant to the research in the Battery 500 Program to industry. If you do collaborate with industry, manufacture these samples for Daimler’s research, develop and demonstrate lithium- being a professor at Cornell gives a lot of testing. battery technologies capable of achieving a benefits because of our extensive network cell specific energy of less than 500 Wh/kg of alumni. In many cases, you can find an SOLID STATE ELECTROLYTE while achieving 1,000 cycles. Maximizing alum working in the industry, and they value My group also has been working the synergy among a highly loaded sulfur Cornell quite a lot. As this view into my lab’s on safer electrolytes that can replace the cathode, a thermally-stable and high-rate research trajectory illustrates, here in the labs hazardous/flammable liquid electrolytes separator with functionalized graphene of Olin Hall, we build on the foundations used in conventional lithium-ion batteries. coating, and a gel (solid) electrolyte via of chemical engineering to extend the field We’ve developed a novel gel electrolyte and scalable nano-manufacturing processes is into important, exciting new areas of urgent are also working on a solid-state electrolyte critical to realize the premise of lithium- relevance to the industrial challenges of our Schematic of fabrication of silicon rich carbon nanofibers via multi-nozzle, water-based, gas-assisted electrospinning and the cyclic performance and rate system. A solid-state battery system is the capability test of the resulting nanofibers as lithium-ion battery anode. sulfur batteries in near future. time.

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he thought of studying chemical missing this exciting opportunity.” the goal of expanding its reach to high The pilot episode profiles Michael- CBE PODCAST AND HIGH- and biomolecular engineering at That’s why Vaidya and Joseph Hassler schools farther from Cornell, such as Paul Robinson, Ph.D. ‘17, who discusses Cornell can be intimidating for ’18 helped develop Cornell ChemE Groton, Dryden and Cortland. They also his academic journey as a first-generation, a high school student or anyone Crash Course, or 4C, which invites high- aim to include students from demographic African-American student. Robinson SCHOOL COURSE AIM not accustomed to the field. school students to attend a multi-week and socioeconomic backgrounds that are details how he was convinced to apply for SomeT may not have the confidence they course at Cornell designed to expose traditionally underrepresented in STEM graduate school by one of his mentors, as TO MAKE ENGINEERING can succeed at an Ivy League institution, students to various engineering fields fields. well as the pressure he felt to succeed as a while others may simply wonder what, through common chemical engineering The inaugural FourC team included first-generation student. The episode then ACCESSIBLE exactly, chemical engineering is. applications. Akash Vaidya ‘18, Joseph Hassler ‘18, turns to his work in the DeLisa Lab, where Two new Smith Initiatives aim The initiative launched in spring of Anderson Luke ‘18, Allen Jiang ‘18, Doris his research focused on how antibodies can to make engineering more inclusive 2018 when Vaidya and a group of seniors Chen ‘18, Peter Romero ’18, Francis be efficiently produced in bacteria. by helping young students envision invited 20 Ithaca High School students to Ledesma ’17, Swetha Thiagajaran ’16 and Brown said the podcast is themselves as engineers. The initiatives attend four weekly lessons in Olin Hall. Jay Bender ’16. produced mainly for a high school and offer a window into chemical and Each lesson taught general engineering undergraduate audience, so the science biomolecular engineering, from through interactive presentations SCIENCE BLENDER is explained in an accessible way that curriculum and research to the different and engaging activities. The lessons PODCAST highlights how discoveries in the lab can personal challenges that engineering also introduced chemical engineering improve lives. Behind every discovery at the Smith students face. challenges in popular fields. Five episodes of Science Blender are School is an engineer with an inspiring The initiatives are funded by a gift For the first lesson, students applied currently available and new episodes story to tell. Science Blender is a student- from entrepreneur Robert F. Smith ‘85 and limiting-factor analysis to understand will be released about every six weeks. produced podcast that aims to tell those his Fund II Foundation, which committed and manipulate drug release from The short-term vision is to continue stories. $50 million in 2016 toward endowments hydrogels. The following week, they used profiling engineers within the Smith The idea was conceived by graduate to support chemical and biomolecular mathematical analysis and computational School, although the podcast’s producers student Aravind Natarajan, who not only engineering at Cornell and to support tools, such as Microsoft Excel Solver, to said it could expand beyond chemical wanted to highlight current advancements students traditionally underrepresented in optimize the power output of berry-based engineering in the future. And as the in biomolecular engineering, but wanted the STEM fields. solar cells. Students also used graphical podcast continues to grow and refine its to create a compendium of role models analysis and physical intuition to develop style, Brown said its overarching theme that could inspire the next generation of THE NEWLY FUNDED and apply predictive models for heat will remain the same. engineers. INITIATIVES ARE: transfer. In the final lesson, they learned to “It’s important for those high “We want to talk about the great reduce complex systems to unit operations, schoolers and those undergrads who 4C: CORNELL CHEME science that is done, but we also want to which helped them design and execute listen to realize a lot of people go through CRASH COURSE FOR blend in their personal story so there’s separations processes to maximize return different types of challenges—maybe HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS more of a connection to the listener,” said on investment. it’s race or gender or how they identify Kevin Weyant, Ph.D. student and co- Akash Vaidya ’18 remembers feeling “The course encouraged critical themselves,” said Brown. “We want them executive producer of Science Blender. uninformed when the time came for him thinking and collaborative learning, and to hear that and understand that a lot of The podcast examines the personal and his high-school classmates to choose a it introduced our students to general people struggle with those problems and drive of each engineer it profiles and how college major. engineering principles,” said Vaidya. they can identify and say ‘maybe I can those people cope with the ups and downs “Chemical and biomolecular “They applied what they learned to consider graduate school, too.’” of the research process, added Joseph engineering sounded interdisciplinary and define problems, design experiments and Science Blender is available on Brown, Ph.D. student and co-executive thus more interesting than other majors, brainstorm creative solutions, and thus Stitcher, iTunes, Google Play and online at producer. but we really had no idea what we were in gained first-hand experience with basic ScienceBlender.com. The production team “We want to emphasize that people for,” said Vaidya. “We were once hesitant engineering. Most importantly, they had includes Cornell graduate students Joseph who do science come from different to become engineers because four years fun doing it.” Brown, Kevin Weyant, Charlie Heinke, backgrounds and there’s a variety of ago we didn’t know what that entailed. It’s The students managing 4C next year Alicia Aquino, Abhishek Sharma, and challenges they face when they get here,” scary to think about how close we were to hope to build upon the initiative with engineering researcher Laura Sinclair. Robert Frederick Smith said Brown.

6 | OLIN Hall News 7 | OLIN Hall News SYMPOSIUM HONORS MIKE SHULER

cientists from around the world to design a device that could act as a gathered at Cornell on Friday, SYMPOSIUM HONORS surrogate for real organs. He envisioned June 22, to honor the career the impact such a device could have of Professor Michael Shuler, on society, including for people like his whose work in modeling BIOENGINEERING youngest daughter, Kristin, who has Down S biological systems continues to syndrome. revolutionize the field of bioengineering PIONEER MIKE “People with Down syndrome have and change the way pharmaceutical drugs an extra chromosome and many times are developed and tested. physicians are reluctant to prescribe A day-long symposium hosted in SHULER drugs because the extra chromosome may Klarman Hall featured talks from over a react different to the drug,” said Shuler. dozen academics and industry engineers “So we’d like to be able to capture that who discussed how Shuler, who recently in a model and that was one of my main received emeritus status as the Samuel B. motivations—doing something to help Michael Shuler, the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Engineering Emeritus, listens as former students pay Eckert Professor of Engineering, changed tribute to his career during a dinner in his honor. people like Kristin.” bioengineering while also serving as a soft- Shuler spent the next 20 years spoken mentor whose guidance was relied understanding metabolism and signaling Soon after, Shuler and other engineers engineering physical models to represent upon by many. and gene regulation. He was doing began to see cells as bioreactors for drug mathematical models of the human “Mike thinks differently about systems biology 20 years before that term production. As industry and academics body—research that, at first, received research problems than almost anybody— existed.” were trying to converge on just a few little attention from the rest of the science than engineers do, than biologists do, Shuler’s early work at Cornell led to cell types to be the work horses of community. than doctors do,” said Abe Stroock, the the first chemically-accurate mathematical biomanufacturing, Shuler began working “Funding was a little more scarce,” William C. Hooey Director and Gordon model of an organism. The model, with insect and plant cells, “off in left said Shuler. L. Dibble ’50 Professor of Chemical and published in 1984, could predict the field…in a place where very few people But during that time, he had Biomolecular Engineering. “If you didn’t changes in composition, size, and shape of were going to follow him,” as Stroock persevered to develop a new set of know any better, you might think he was a a single E.coli cell, as well as the timing of described it. approaches on tissue engineering, drug little out of whack in how he was defining its chromosome synthesis in response to But Shuler proved those cell types discovery and toxicology with his so-called his problems and pursuing them.” changes in external glucose limitation. could be used as powerful platforms for body-on-a-chip, a microfluidic device that When Shuler was hired in 1974 as the production of pharmaceuticals like can replicate the functions of organs and a professor of chemical engineering at chemotherapeutics. In 1995, he published tissue. Cornell, he began to apply principles of “MIKE THINKS a study that showed bioreactors could be Beginning in 2004, Shuler began chemical engineering to understand how DIFFERENTLY used to mass-produce Taxol, a compound publishing studies that showed it was cells worked, and sought to build in vitro ABOUT RESEARCH used in cancer-fighting drugs that, until possible to co-culture different organ- systems that could quantitatively simulate Shuler proved otherwise, could only be derived cells on a small, in vitro chip that biological ones. PROBLEMS sourced from the bark of the Pacific yew could then be used to observe the complex “In the earliest days when both THAN ALMOST tree. responses human organs would have to biologists and engineers assumed that Shuler said he first entered the field cancer medication. Until the invention of a living cell was an intractable mess, ANYBODY—THAN of chemical engineering because of his the body-on-a-chip, animal testing was Mike set out to write down the equations ENGINEERS DO, interest in drug manufacturing to save the only reliable way to achieve the same that define its dynamics,” said Stroock, lives, but over the course of his career observations. speaking to about 160 people attending THAN BIOLOGISTS he grew more intrigued with chemical Shuler’s work birthed a new field in the symposium. “He used computers DO, THAN engineering’s role in learning about how bioengineering, and today, body-on-a-chip that were less powerful than a hand- life works. systems are an exciting area of science DOCTORS DO.” By 1989, Shuler sought to model held calculator today to take a chemical — Abe Stroock being explored by many scientists and engineering kinetics approach to human organ systems, and set out engineers. Michael Shuler, the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Engineering Emeritus, speaks in Klarman Hall during a symposium honoring his career.

8 | OLIN Hall News 9 | OLIN Hall News SYMPOSIUM HONORS MIKE SHULER

college is the Sibley School that was named the University of Texas at Austin, Georgiou When the College of Engineering began in 1885, so it had been well over 100 years is an award-winning researcher lauded searching for a new dean in 2008, Shuler’s since that had happened.” for his advances in protein therapeutics. name was among those being considered, In less than 15 years, biomedical But as Shuler’s Ph.D. student preparing to according to Collins, who was director engineering at Cornell had grown from graduate from Cornell, he struggled with of the Sibley School of Mechanical and a vision to a nationally-ranked school. confidence and felt his grades weren’t as Aerospace Engineering at the time. But U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 graduate competitive as they could have been. Shuler contacted Collins and encouraged school ranking places the Meinig School at Shuler convinced Georgiou to apply him to consider the job. number 14 in the country. for a faculty position at the University “It’s not something I planned,” said of Texas at Austin, and Georgiou credits Collins, “but in that sort of quiet way we SHULER THE MENTOR getting the job to a recommendation letter had an important conversation which, in from Shuler that touted his potential. some sense, built some of the confidence I When Shuler was an undergraduate Georgiou shared a second would need in order to step into that role. at the University of Notre Dame, he was recommendation from Shuler—a And it’s really incredible looking back on confronted by a faculty member who told nomination letter for a National that, how important that was.” Michael Shuler, the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Engineering Emeritus, with his former students who attended a symposium honoring his career. him he was underperforming. Science Foundation Presidential Young “He really encouraged me in the sense Investigator Award—that would boost He had served on an advisory board that country, according to Lance Collins, the WORK TO BE DONE, BUILDING A SCHOOL that I could do much better,” said Shuler. Georgiou’s career once again. founded the graduate field of biomedical Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering. “And I did do much better after that— “It said I ‘will do something FISH TO BE CAUGHT At the same time he was pioneering engineering in 1997, spanning five colleges “So it was incredible that Mike was one of the things that was great about important,’” said Georgiou, reading from an entirely new area of bioengineering, and 11 different departments. The board able to attract a stellar faculty,” said Although he has received emeritus somebody encouraging me to believe in the letter. “And that’s what set me to the Shuler was also hard at work laying eventually pushed for a more centralized Collins, “and it was really the power of his status, Shuler plans to maintain a small myself. And that’s one of the things I’ve right course for my career.” the foundation for what would one day academic unit that could have a larger personality that was so attractive to people research group for at least the next four tried to do with the students I work with.” Georgiou said he learned many become a new school at Cornell. impact on the field, calling for a strategic who were under consideration.” years to continue two funded research The symposium’s keynote speaker, lessons from Shuler, including “to believe Since his first days at the university, plan to establish a department. Shuler characterized the challenge projects. He will also remain active in George Georgiou, M.S. ’83, Ph.D. ’87, in your students and to go through great Shuler was a strong advocate for It wasn’t until 2004 that biomedical of building a faculty from scratch more commercializing his body-on-a-chip shared a similar story. As a professor lengths to support them. Mentoring is a integrating the life sciences into engineering became a full-fledged as a luxury, and said it gave him the technology as president and CEO of the of chemical engineering and the Laura great privilege and responsibility.” engineering. He helped formalize department, of which Shuler became the opportunity to hire individuals with startup company Hesperos, Inc. Jennings Turner Chair in Engineering at Mariajose Castellanos, Ph.D. ’05, the university’s first bioengineering founding chair, a role he would serve in for complimentary skills. senior lecturer and undergraduate Other than research, Shuler plans to program in 1994 with an undergraduate a decade. “You have to think about, when you’re program director at the University of dedicate more time to his favorite pastime, bioengineering option and a Master of “It wasn’t just his vision, but it was hiring faculty, building a team that will do Maryland, Baltimore County, was another fishing, and hopes to write a science fiction Engineering degree in bioengineering. also his perseverance and hard work,” something intellectually interesting. The former student of Shuler’s who spoke novel. But above all, he said he looks He served as director of what was said Marjolein van der Meulen, who intellectual parts have to mesh together,” highly of his ability to mentor. forward most to spending more time with then the School of Chemical Engineering succeeded Shuler as the James M. and said Shuler, who added that teaching, “Mike has really inspired me to make family. from 1998 to 2002. And while elements Marsha McCormick Director of Biomedical research, service to the department and a difference in people,” said Castellanos. “You need to be able to balance your of bioengineering had been a part of Engineering. service to engineering are all important “And so I think ‘what can I do today to family and work, especially if you’re the school since the 1950s, Shuler is Van der Meulen said Shuler formed elements a faculty must possess. change someone’s life?’” going to do this for 30, 40, 50 years,” said credited with growing its prominence, the department with a core set of values Shuler created the momentum upon She said Shuler taught her to develop Shuler. “I occasionally see people that are and led the effort to officially add the “and all the hires under Mike bought into which van der Meulen could continue to students not just as engineers, but as so focused on trying to be successful they word “biomolecular” to the school title. that set of values. And that created a very grow the department, said Collins, and in human beings, and that many of the lack this other aspect of life.” The school stands today as the Robert shared experience and a unity that’s really 2015, the department became the Nancy E. traditions she has created for her students While those that know him best said Frederick Smith School of Chemical and unique and strong.” and Peter C. Meinig School of Biomedical are modeled after the ones she experienced they don’t expect to see Shuler as much on Biomolecular Engineering. At the time the department was Engineering, adding an undergraduate at Cornell. campus, they do look forward to having During his time as school director, founded, Cornell was competing with degree to its curriculum. Michael Shuler, the Samuel B. Eckert Professor Many of Shuler’s colleagues, too, him remain in one role he has always Shuler was also sowing the seeds for a about 100 other newly established “Just to put this into context,” said of Engineering Emeritus, speaks with his former benefited from his mentorship and advice. cherished—as a beloved professional new biomedical engineering department. biomedical programs from across the Collins, “the first named department in the students following a symposium honoring his advice giver. career.

10 | OLIN Hall News 11 | OLIN Hall News ALUMNI IN NEWS MEMORIAM

ALUMNI NEWS

Noreen Rizvi simple for people of color,” according to its contributor to the field of biochemical website. technology. Pfleger was recognized for IN MEMORIAM ‘09 research on ACS Olaye stated that her experience his work in developing synthetic biology Karlton J. Hickey...... B.S. ChemE 1944...... Broomall, PA...... 2/8/2018 Chemical with the Kessler Fellows Program helped tools and deploying them in microbes her combine entrepreneurship with to implement metabolic engineering Edwin M. Sampson...... B.S. ChemE 1944...... Aiken, SC...... 2/22/2017 Biology cover engineering, and allowed her to work over strategies for sustainable chemical Research by the summer with Walker and Company production. Park Lincoln Metzger....B.S. ChemE 1945...... Orchard Park, NY...... 6/11/2017 Noreen Rizvi ’09 instead of a traditional engineering Pfleger’s research focuses on methods was featured on the internship. to close the carbon cycle by making William A. Sklarz...... B.S. ChemE 1946...... Edison, NJ...... 11/15/2017 cover of the March 2018 edition of ACS chemical products from renewable Chemical Biology. She conducted the study Hoang Phong resources, such as biomass, and by Edwin N. Lightfoot...... B.S. ChemE 1947, PhD ChemE 1951.....Madison, WI...... 10/2/2017 “Discovery of Selective RNA-Binding Nguyen ’18 harnessing solar energy to power the Small Molecules by Affinity-Selection Mass makes Forbes conversion of carbon dioxide to chemicals. John Cordes...... B.S. ChemE 1949...... Glens Falls, NY...... 7/20/2017 Spectrometry” as a postdoctoral fellow at Vietnam 30 One example is the genetic engineering Merck, but recently accepted a position as of cyanobacteria, some of the oldest James L. Hecht...... B.S. ChemE 1949...... Littleton, CO...... 4/27/2018 a senior scientist at Siemens Healthineers Under 30 organisms on earth, to create fuels and where she is working on developing Hoang Phong chemicals directly through photosynthesis Donald C. Roberson...... B.S. ChemE 1949...... Niagara Falls, NY...... 4/1/2017 diagnostic assays for healthcare Nguyen ’18 was without the need for agricultural land or applications across various disease areas. named to Forbes potable water. Jacques L. Zakin...... B.S. ChemE 1949...... Dublin, OH...... 1/16/2018 Rizvi writes, “I had a truly Vietnam’s 30 Under Elmer K. Erickson rewarding experience learning about 30 list for achievements in education. Lucas ...... B.S. ChemE 1950...... Wilmington, DE...... 4/23/2018 the pharmaceutical industry and drug Nguyen is the youngest on the list this Landherr, William J. Schwarz...... B.S. ChemE 1950...... Poughkeepsie, NY...... 9/12/2017 discovery research. My research, focused year. His Facebook page and YouTube Ph.D. ’10 on targeting RNA with small-molecule channel, Love of Knowledge, produces advises PBS Carl G. Strub...... B.S. ChemE 1950...... Willow Street, PA...... 7/17/2017 drugs, is still a developing field and it was original content, teaching foundational series great to be working on such a cutting-edge knowledge in various fields and has Robert J. McLachlan...... B.S. ChemE 1951...... Martinsville, VA...... 7/11/2017 project.” attracted thousands of viewers. Lucas Landherr, Ph.D. Alfred J. Engel...... B.S. ChemE 1952...... State College, PA...... 10/28/2017 Iyore Olaye Brian Pfleger ’10 and associate ’16 makes ’00 wins ACS professor at Norman B. Schmidt...... B.S. ChemE 1959...... Leesport, PA...... 4/2/2018 Northeastern University, has been serving Forbes 30 BIOT Young Investigator as an engineering consultant on the PBS Samuel W. Bodman...... B.S. ChemE 1961...... El Paso, TX...... 9/7/2018 Under 30 YouTube series “Crash Course,” helping Iyore Olaye Award to guide the creation of short animated Keith Allan Everett...... B.S. ChemE 1961...... Spring, TX...... 12/13/2017 ’16 earned a spot of Brian Pfleger videos on a number of topics such as the 2018 Forbes 30 ‘00, professor of thermodynamics and batteries. The work, J. Montieth Estes...... B.S. ChemE 1966, M.Eng. 1966...... Rochester, NY...... 2/11/2018 Under 30 list in the engineering at along with other educational materials category of Retail the University of Landherr has produced, has earned him a David S. Hubbard...... B.S. ChemE 1966, M.S. ChemE 1968.....Napier, NZ...... 2/7/2017 and Ecommerce. She was recognized for Wisconsin-Madison, won the American Chemical Engineering Education Award her role as the lead product development Chemical Society’s Division of Biochemical from the American Institute of Chemical William J. Marble...... B.S. ChemE 1966...... Rocklin, CA...... 3/20/17 engineer at Walker and Company, a tech Technology Young Investigator Award. Engineers. company that “makes health and beauty The award honors an outstanding young Natalie A. Dick...... M.S. ChemE 1983...... Ithaca, NY...... 2/5/2017

12 | OLIN Hall News 13 | OLIN Hall News CBE NEWS & EVENTS

DISTINGUISHED LECTURES REUNION 2018 director at health-beauty startup Circle of Stability of Packing Polymorphs” and Beauty, and founded her own consulting “Making Smart Windows Smarter.” practice specializing in medium-sized Loo is the Theodora D. ’78 & William consumer product companies. H. Walton III ’74 Professor in Engineering Skeete Tatum serves on the boards of and director of the Andlinger Center for Surgical Care Affiliates, McCarter Theater Energy and the Environment at Princeton and the Princeton Area Community University. The mission of the Andlinger Foundation. She is a trustee emeritus Center is to develop solutions for our and presidential councilor at Cornell energy and environmental future. University and serves on the Harvard Loo received her B.S. from the Business School Board of Dean's Advisors. University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. She is a past president of the Harvard from Princeton University. She spent a Business School Alumni Board and former year at Bell Laboratories before joining Lisa Skeete Tatum ’89 board member of Pager, the Kauffman the Chemical Engineering Department Fellows Program's Center for Venture at the University of Texas at Austin and THE 2017 RAYMOND G. THORPE Education and the Princeton HealthCare then returning to Princeton in 2007. She is LECTURE WAS PRESENTED BY System Foundation. a fellow of the American Physical Society n June 9, 2018, classes from years 1943 to 2013 shared memories of beloved Archer and Matt Paszek—were present LISA SKEETE TATUM ’89 ON Skeete Tatum received her B.S. and a Young Global Leader of the World ending in 8 and 3 gathered on faculty, fun times with classmates, and to welcome honored returnees and gave MONDAY, OCTOBER 23 in chemical engineering from Cornell Economic Forum. She has been recognized campus for Cornell Reunion. learned what’s new in the school. alumni a tour of the newly-renovated keete Tatum is founder and CEO University and her MBA from Harvard with Sloan and Beckman Fellowships, the O In keeping with tradition, the Robert William C. Hooey Director, Abe Unit Operations Laboratory. Visitors were of Landit, a technology platform Business School. She is a member of the John H. Dillon Medal from the American Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Stroock, welcomed one the largest-ever also welcome to join the inaugural Ph.D. created to increase the success and Kauffman Fellows Class 4, a 2012 Henry Physical Society, the Peter and Edith S Biomolecular Engineering hosted close groups of returning alumni. CBE faculty— Reunion, happening in Olin Hall for the engagement of women in the workplace, Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and O’Donnell Award from the Texas Academy to 120 alumni for breakfast in the Fred H. including T. Michael Duncan, Al Center first time in 2018. and to enable enterprises to attract, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership of Medicine, Science and Engineering, Rhodes Lounge. Members of classes from ’65, Jim Engstrom, Chris Alabi, Lynden develop and retain high-potential diverse Network. and the Alan P. Colburn Award from the talent. Landit provides each woman with She has been featured in the Wall American Institute of Chemical Engineers. a personalized playbook that empowers Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune, BBC them with the tools, resources, know-how Business and named one of the Most and human connections they need to more Impressive Women Entrepreneurs of 2016 successfully navigate their career path. by Inc. Magazine, and Landit was named Previously, Tatum was a general one of the Top 10 Innovations That Made partner for over a decade with Cardinal Women's Lives Better In 2016 by Fast Partners, a $350 million early-stage Company. healthcare venture capital firm, where she focused on investments in healthcare THE 2018 JULIAN C. SMITH technology and led the firm's investment LECTURES WERE PRESENTED in companies such as AthenaHealth BY YUEH-LIN (LYNN) LOO and TechRx. She worked for Procter & ON MONDAY, APRIL 9, AND Gamble in various global and functional F TUESDAY, APRIL 10 roles including product development, aculty, students and colleagues from across purchasing and product supply. She also campus gathered to hear her talks titled, worked at GE Capital, was a managing “A Framework for Screening the Kinetic Yueh-Lin (Lynn) Loo (left) with Professor Abe Stroock

14 | OLIN Hall News 15 | OLIN Hall News CBE NEWS VEGAS & EVENTS NIGHT

CBE GRADUATE ALUMNI REUNION CHEME VEGAS NIGHT: A 25-YEAR TRADITION school and outings hosted by ChemE faculty. Past outings include an afternoon of golf (Ken Ackley), High Tea (Paulette Clancy), Sunday brunch at home (David Putnam), lifelong advice (Al Center), a Big Lebowski evening—white Russians and bowling (Tobias Hanrath), Caribbean dinner (Lynden and Shivaun Archer), an authentic Texas barbecue followed by a night of Texas hold ‘em (Susan Daniel), dinner at Ithaca’s historic Rogues’ Harbor (Carol Casler), and dinner at the John Thomas Steakhouse (Abe Stroock). The longest and most diverse list of prizes comes from Brad Anton, associate Vegas Night 2018 professor. From 1996 through 2004, Anton, a driving instructor at Watkins hemE capstone laboratory and when to double-down on soft hands, and Glen International, gave rides around the design courses simulate the also offers roulette, let it ride, baccarat and he inaugural Graduate Alumni an alumni career panel, and alumni and supported by the department as a speedway in his 1990 IROC-Z Camaro. professional world in which poker. No actual money is wagered, but Reunion was held on June 9, 2018, were excited to receive lab tours and see Robert Frederick Smith initiative. The C From 2005 through 2010, his prize was seniors serve as entry-level engineers at a guests are given $1,000 in fictional cash, and was an opportunity for all CBE how Olin Hall has evolved since their objectives of the reunion were to celebrate an afternoon that came to be known as T fictitious company, Olin Engineering. The which they attempt to increase by playing graduate alumni to return to Cornell time there. The reunion finished with the achievements of CBE graduate alumni, “Shooting with Anton,” in which he courses culminate in what has become a various table games. and reconnect with their M.S. or Ph.D. a reception and dinner, where alumni to strengthen the alumni relationship with instructed seniors on marksmanship and 25-year tradition—a casino-themed office The incentive for winning is the adviser and other alumni. The event mingled with current students and learned the Smith School and to provide current gun safety with his arsenal, including an party known as ChemE Vegas Night. evening’s climax, an auction of "fabulous included Outstanding Alumnus Award about other initiatives in the department. graduate students with networking antique M1 Garand. In 2011, Anton began “No Ivy League education is complete prizes,” including memorabilia from the presentations, given to Padmasree Warrior, The CBE Graduate Alumni Reunion opportunities. hosting dinner for winning teams at the without knowing how to play craps well,” M.S. ’84, and Lydia Contreras, Ph.D. was proposed, organized, and executed quips Professor T. Michael Duncan, who ’08. Current graduate students enjoyed entirely by current CBE graduate students, hosts Vegas Night with his wife, Deborah. The party gives students an opportunity to practice the fine points of blackjack, such as when to split pairs and “NO IVY LEAGUE EDUCATION IS COMPLETE WITHOUT KNOWING HOW TO PLAY CRAPS WELL.” — T. Michael Duncan Photo by Adrienne Scott ’15

16 | OLIN Hall News 17 | OLIN Hall News VEGAS NIGHT

As coveted as the faculty-hosted outings is the distinction of Best Gambler, which also goes to the highest bidder. This distinguished list has been remarkably prophetic of risk assessment and business acumen:

1996 - Darin Moberg 2004 - Jason Berman 2012 - Douglas Greer 1997 - Susan Lee 2005 - Matt McCord 2013 - Christopher Trosin 1998 - Robert Cameron 2006 - Ugochi Nwachukwu 2014 - Vikram Potdar 1999 - Tara Flegel 2007 - Shawn Zadeh 2015 - Ryan Douma 2000 - Tom Richards 2008 - Ali Ahmed 2016 - Matt Ferguson 2001 - Stephen Bernal 2009 - Michael Myers 2017 - Oliver Lake 2002 - Benjamin Davis 2010 - Lyudmila (Lucy) Baranyuk 2018 - Neil Mehta 2003 - Emily Miles 2011 - Breanna Boyden Of course, the success of the auction depends on creativity in planning and enthusiasm in hawking. Unlike other auctions, the goal is entertainment and not revenue. The list of Grad student dealers Lakshmi Nathan, Ty Moeller and Hugh Bullen at Vegas Alumnus dealer Stwart Pena '17 at Vegas Night 2018. auctioneers, too, sets apart seniors with people skills: Night 2018. historic Seneca Lodge in Watkins Glen, strong lead and appeared to have it in the who learned to bowl as a freshman in 1996 - Marty Palma (’96) New York. bag after round three, but were caught a phys-ed course at Helen Newman, 1997 - Jeff (’97) and Heather Pelham Since 2016, Anton has offered a local from behind in round four by a seasoned volunteered to take the challenge. She 1998 - Scott Meyers (’98) and Cindy Jarom (’98) tradition: dinner and a trivia contest at team of ringers from Trumansburg. The rolled a strong 8, but so did the opponent, 1999 - Robert Penty (’99) and Ory Holtzman (’99) (organizers), and Sean Holleran (’99), John Murphy (’99), Trumansburg’s Atlas Bowl. His Cornell score stood 22-22 after regulation ended at who was clearly a real bowler. So, it was and Julie Goddard (’99) (auctioneers) team has yet to win, but came close this round five, which necessitated a ‘bowl-off’ on to double-overtime. The pressure was 2000 - Tom Richards (’00) and Merle Smith (’00) year with the seniors Josef Byrne, Chuting to break the tie. The bowl-off tiebreaker incredible. Alas, Allison's next two rolls 2001 - Colleen Brosnan (’01) and Dina Agrapides (’01) Deng, Allison Pereira, José Covarrubias, has one person from each team bowling found the gutter, so we were toast. Still, 2002 - Chris Johnson (’02) and Tara Gooen (’02) and Will Woodruff. one frame with no warm-up and the best-ever Quiz Bowl finish by a CBE trivia 2003 - Tracy Ellspermann (’03) and Elizabeth Hastings (’03) Anton reports: “We jumped to a highest pin-count wins. Allison Pereira, team.” 2004 - Matt Rizk (’04) and Michelle Barnas (’04) 2005 - Samantha Neureuther (’05) and Andrew Cooley (’05) 2006 - Matt Nitzberg (’06), Christina Jackson (’06), and Fatimah Aslam (’06) 2007 - Steve Hohwald and Nithya Jesuraj 2008 - Rachael Barton (’08) and Ariel Waitz (’08) (organizers), Jenny Dionne (’08) and Jamie Ambrosio (’08) (auctioneers) 2009 - Brian Weitzner (’09), Jason Reck (’09), and Rachel Brenc (’09) 2010 - Elyse Burzynski (’10) and Andrew Atwell (’10), assisted by Adrian Rami (’10) and Brandon Steckel (’10) 2011 - Christine Catudal (’11), Elizabeth Tutunjian (’11), and Colin Buss (’11) 2012 - Max Krakauer (’12), Katie Reilly (’12), and Kerianne Dobosz (’12) 2013 - Kevin Vasquez (’13) and Apurva Sisodia (’13), assisted by Tian Tian (’13) and Kerianne Dobosz (’12) 2014 - Franklin Lee (’14) and Allan Brooks (’14), with Ryan Hoang (’14) as counter. 2015 - Jeff Horner (’15) and Ian McQueary (’15), prizes collected by Heather Barton (’15) and Carl Shultz (’15) 2016 - Chida Balaji (’13) and Andrew Broenen (’13) with Will Gregg (’16) as counter, prizes organized by Will Gregg (’16), Eric McShane (’16), and Sanjeev Dhara (’16) 2017 - Allee Vito (’17) and Mohyeddine Algui (’17) with Will Gregg (’16) as counter. 2018 - Kathryn Haldeman (’18), Michaela Jones (’18), Vinnie Rigoglioso (’18), Ameer Basrai (’18), and Angela Tang (’18)

Each year a dedicated and skilled cadre of graduate students volunteers to serve as croupiers. Atlas Bowl Dinner and Trivia Contest team from May 2017. From left: Maria Auctioneer Vinnie Rigoglioso '18 at Vegas Night 2018 Blechl ’17, Aron Coraor ’17, Associate Professor Brad Anton, Kyle Wheeler ’17 Over 170 Ph.D. students have donated their time over the past 25 years. and Amy Penick ’17.

18 | OLIN Hall News 19 | OLIN Hall News CORNELL ENERGY SYSTEMS INSTITUTE

operations management systems data- driven, dynamic components of electric ARCHER HEADS CORNELL power networks. Through cross-college collaborations, the institute will build Cornell expertise, ENERGY SYSTEMS INSTITUTE including in agriculture and chemical synthesis, for converting carbon dioxide National Academy of Engineering in 2018. emissions to useful products such as These contributions also earned him a spot biofuels and plastics that can compete in on the “World’s Most Influential Scientific the marketplace. Minds” list compiled by Thompson A strategic planning group Reuters in 2015 and 2016. Archer’s commissioned by Collins added the term demonstration of an electrochemical cell “systems” to the institute’s name to reflect capable of sequestering carbon from the the importance of developing technologies atmosphere and turning it into electricity as components of larger entities. As an was named one of the “10 Ideas That Will example of the systems challenges posed Change the World” by Scientific American by a new technology, Archer points to a in 2016. transportation report finding electric cars The Energy Systems Institute is run by in India have a worse carbon footprint the College of Engineering, but organizes energy engineering-based research and education programs with university-wide “HE’S ONE OF impacts. While it will remain focused on THE LEADING than gasoline cars. said Collins, “but we’re also looking at the challenge of reducing carbon emissions “The electricity stored in the batteries full implementation of demonstration without lowering quality of life, Archer RESEARCHERS that power even the most state-of-the-art systems that can change the energy said under his leadership the institute IN THE AREA electric car ultimately comes from the landscape tomorrow. And that’s where will more narrowly focus on enabling electric grid,” Archer said. “If the grid entrepreneurship plays a role.” innovations in materials, technology and OF ENERGY, SO is burning relatively low-quality coal, it Cornell’s “living laboratory” energy systems designs for impacts in generates quite a bit more CO2 to produce philosophy, in which new technologies transportation, manufacturing and the LYNDEN BRINGS Lynden Archer that electricity. So one has to think of new can be tested and deployed on campus, electric power systems which account GREAT CREDIBILITY transportation technologies as part of a will continue to be a key element of the for approximately 80 percent of annual IN HIS ABILITY TO greater system to assess their full impact.” institute. Archer points to Cornell’s Lake he Cornell Energy Systems where he has researched transport carbon-dioxide emissions in the United With a sharpened focus on three Source Cooling and Earth Source Heat Institute, formerly named the processes for energy storage and carbon- States. LEAD BY EXAMPLE. research themes, the institute also expects projects as examples where Cornell is Cornell Energy Institute, has a capture technologies since 2000. In transportation, the institute will to play a stronger role in commercializing already leading the way. new director and a new focus as “He’s one of the leading researchers seed research focused on advanced HE’S ALSO AN technologies developed at Cornell. There “There’s an opportunity to bring one of the university’s main hubs in the area of energy, so Lynden brings batteries, fuel cells and associated power- EXTRAORDINARILY aren’t many U.S. companies investing student teams together that go beyond just forT energy research and education. great credibility in his ability to lead by management systems aimed at making heavily in emerging technologies such doing world-class research, writing patents Lynden Archer will serve a five-year example,” said Lance Collins, the Joseph electrified transportation smart, cost- STRATEGIC as carbon-capture and batteries and as a and winning national contests,” Archer term as the institute’s David Croll Director, Silbert Dean of Engineering. “He’s also an effective and commonplace. THINKER AND result, researchers must bear more of the said, “to get to a place where our students succeeding Jefferson Tester, who is now the extraordinarily strategic thinker and an In collaboration with the College of responsibility for bringing their ideas to begin to see that they too can, and must, chief scientist for Cornell’s Earth Source incredible fundraiser.” Engineering, the institute will identify and AN INCREDIBLE market, according to Collins. play a role in lowering humanity’s carbon Heat project. Archer is a professor and In recognition for his work on lithium recruit faculty research stars to Cornell “We’re on the frontier, developing footprint and at the same time train their the former director of the Smith School of batteries and nanoscale organic hybrid with a second specific purpose: to make FUNDRAISER.” new materials and technologies that may creativity into making new products that Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, materials, Archer was elected to the manufacturing, buildings and energy — Lance Collins not come to fruition for another 30 years,” can compete and succeed in the market.”

20 | OLIN Hall News 21 | OLIN Hall News NEW FACULTY FACULTY NEWS & AWARDS

NEW FACULTY: NICHOLAS ABBOTT FACULTY NEWS & AWARDS thought ‘yeah, that looks nice.’ I was sure crystalline phases. “We focus on soft I would get my Ph.D. and then return to materials,” says Abbott. “The challenge Australia five years later,” says Abbott— is to make a material that is the result of now more than 30 years later—from his many weak, non-covalent interactions. office at Cornell’s Olin Hall. We want to create materials that change In the summer of 2018 Abbott joined properties when exposed to different the faculty of the Robert Frederick Smith environments. We work with liquid School of Chemical and Biomolecular crystalline materials whose molecules are Lynden Archer Chris Alabi Paulette Clancy Tobias Hanrath Yong Joo Matthew Paszek Fengqi You Engineering at Cornell as a professor. In able to ‘communicate’ with each other hris Alabi atthew Paszek the interim, Abbott earned his doctorate, across long distances—up to 100,000 Archer elected to , assistant professor , assistant had a two-year postdoctoral research molecules away in some cases.” National Academy of and the Nancy and Peter Meinig professor, received the honor of position in the chemistry lab of Harvard Abbott wants to use this Family Investigator in the Life Tau Beta Pi Professor of the Year Engineers C Sciences, was selected as a 2018 M during the Cornell Engineering professor George Whitesides, and taught communication ability to develop liquid Young Investigator by the American Alumni Association’s annual meeting and at both the University of California-Davis crystals as chemical and biological sensors ynden Archer, the James A. Friend Chemical Society's Polymeric Materials: awards dinner. and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. for a variety of purposes. “If we coat a Family Distinguished Professor of Science and Engineering Division, and was At Madison, Abbott was department chair surface with a layer of liquid crystals Engineering, has been elected to the invited to present at the society's national ichael Shuler, the Samuel B. and director of the Wisconsin Materials and then expose the surface to a target L National Academy of Engineers— Nicholas Abbott meeting in August. Eckert Professor of Engineering, Research and Engineering Center. He molecule, that exposure can perturb one of the highest professional distinctions has been approved for emeritus published dozens of papers and graduated molecules on the sensor surface and those accorded to an engineer. aulette Clancy, the Samuel W. hen Nicholas Abbott M status. more than 40 Ph.D. students. molecules will pass that perturbation on Academy membership honors those and M. Diane Bodman Professor was finishing up his When Abbott came to Cornell, 10 of to their neighbors,” says Abbott. “At some who have made significant contributions of Chemistry, was approved undergraduate chemical engqi You, the Roxanne E. and his graduate students and postdocs moved point, the perturbation becomes visible to "the pioneering of new and developing P for emerita status. She was also engineering degree at Michael J. Zak Professor and David W to Ithaca with him in order to continue and you can actually see that the target fields of technology, making major selected by the Graduate and Professional Adelaide University in Australia, he knew Croll Sesquicentennial Faculty their work. molecule is present.” advancements in traditional fields of Student Assembly for an Outstanding he wanted to go abroad for his graduate F Fellow, was selected to receive the “The research we do crosses Abbott says that his time spent in the engineering, or developing/implementing Graduate Faculty/Mentor Award. studies. “At that time,” says Abbott, “most 2018 CAST Outstanding Young Researcher disciplines,” says Abbott. “We work with Whitesides Research Group at Harvard innovative approaches to engineering of the graduate school paths for students Award from the American Institute of people from the life sciences, physics, deeply affected how he works with education." obias Hanrath, associate professor, from Australia went through England.” Chemical Engineers for his "contributions chemistry—and Cornell has a history of graduate students. “George Whitesides Archer was selected "for advances in along with David Erickson, the Abbott had a conversation with a professor to fundamental theory and applications of strong cross-disciplinary work. It feels is an amazingly creative and insightful nanoparticle-polymer hybrid materials Sibley College Professor, and a team who told him about a place called the supply chain optimization, sustainability like a good fit for me. I really liked the individual. I learned so much as a and in electrochemical energy storage T of students won the $20,000 grand Massachusetts Institute of Technology analytics, energy systems engineering, hiring process; Cornell did not bring me postdoc—it was a terrific time for me. technologies," according to the academy. prize in the NASA Tech Briefs Create the (MIT). “I had never heard of it,” says integrated process operations, and data- here with a specific goal for my research. I What I try to pass on to my students is a He will be formally inducted during a Future Design Contest for their entry, Abbott, “but it was the less conventional driven decision-making." He was also am here to explore ideas and I truly don’t key idea of George’s: simplicity is good. ceremony at the academy's annual meeting "HI-LIGHT - Solar Thermal Chemical path and I was all for it.” Abbott applied elected a director of the Environmental know what is going to pop up. I can’t And when something doesn’t go as in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30. Reactor Technology for Converting CO2 to to MIT and got accepted into a Ph.D. Division of the American Institute of predict or anticipate the best thing that will expected in the lab, that tells you there is Hydrocarbons." program in chemical engineering. grow out of the research we do here.” an opportunity to be followed.” Chemical Engineers. The only things he knew about MIT Abbott is looking to recruit more Abbott is excited to be at Cornell. ong Joo, professor, was appointed before he got there were what his professor graduate students to his lab. His group “It is a new environment for me—a the BP Amoco/H. Laurance Fuller had told him and what he was able to has many ongoing projects. His technical new adventure,” says Abbott. “There is Professor for a six-year term. glean from the newsprint brochure the interests revolve around colloidal and something inspiring about being at a new Y school sent him in the mail. “It had a interfacial phenomena. He is particularly place. It changes things and makes you feel picture of boats on the Charles River, and I interested in colloidal forces in liquid like you have to show your value again.”

22 | OLIN Hall News 23 | OLIN Hall News STAFF GRADUATE NEWS & HONORS NEWS

able to accumulate experience and tools to play a more crucial role in the efforts to STAFF NEWS & HONORS FLEMING SCHOLAR AWARD implement the goals. Gnopo's training at Cornell has Stephanie Palcich receives degree, also conferred by RIT, was focused Welcome Bianca Burns, he Fleming Scholar award in the Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering was established in 2015 by a generous exposed him to the inner workings of outstanding staff award on service leadership and data analytics, graduate student gift from alumnus Samuel C. Fleming '62 and his wife Nancy Fleming the vaccine and drug development and tephanie with a thesis in measuring student services coordinator to recognize the very best graduate students working on biomolecular approval process. This knowledge and Palcich experience in higher education. Allen ianca Burns T engineering research themes. The long-term goal of the Fleming Scholars the work he has been conducting are received looks forward to working collaboratively joined S program is to attract, educate and graduate Cornell Ph.D.s capable of leading their quintessential for successful vaccination the 2017 William C. with the director, faculty, staff and alumni the Smith B fields and of pioneering new areas of study that advance biomolecular engineering programs against infectious diseases. Hooey Outstanding to foster CBE’s success. School this year as science. Effective vaccination programs are vital Staff Award. the graduate student Nominations for the award are solicited annually and come from a student's Special recognition: to economic development in developing The award was services coordinator, thesis advisor or from someone knowledgeable about the nominee's scholarship and Sachiko Funaba countries who rely heavily on a healthy established in 2011 by just in time to potential. Although the Fleming Scholar recognition is bestowed annually, students BE has benefitted from the presence labor force. the Smith School to welcome 82 new receiving the award in any given year will hold the distinguished title for the of Sachiko Funaba, who was Pathogen-like-particles (PLPs) are recognize a member of the staff who goes incoming graduate duration of their Ph.D. hired in a temporary role as the a promising vaccine delivery platform above and beyond their job responsibilities C students. Burns comes from Provo, director’s assistant in September 2018 and The changes Gandhi’s simulations that can mimic pathogens and induce in helping the school and its faculty. Utah, where she worked in elementary Jay Gandhi has remained with the department in a Paszek and Koch predict suggest cancer cells could use their protective immune responses. Outer As the school’s administrative education. She was named the Teacher of temporary capacity to fill in for other staff Groups confined environments to their advantage, membrane vesicles, or OMVs, spherical assistant, Palcich manages the front office the Year her first year of teaching due to vacancies. Funaba was responsible for Cancer aggression due to indirect effects of the glycocalyx on lipid bilayers about 30-300 nm that and the group of student workers who her strong instruction and communication organizing the fall 2017 Advisory Council is typically chemical reaction pathways necessary for naturally bud from the outer membrane assist in the academic operation. She is the skills. Additionally, she has organized and Meeting, the Julian C. Smith Lectureship accompanied by cell survival and growth. Gandhi hopes in of bacteria, are one example of PLPs. lead for tracking safety training completed led several large service projects. Burns and candidate visits for faculty searches. the presence of the future this work can contribute to the They display many pathogen-associated by CBE students, supports the space has recently decided to leave classroom Additionally, she supported the abundant polymers development of cancer therapies targeting molecular patterns that mimic the committee and space inventory process, teaching and focus her skills in other graduate student reunion weekend and of sugars and proteins on the cell surface. the abundant polymers in the glycocalyx, composition and architecture of pathogens, handles maintenance and repair requests, aspects of education. commencement efforts. These polymers form a coat called the and particularly the physical functions of making OMVs an excellent PLP vaccine provides project support, completes This summer Funaba will be Welcome Mary Jane (Janey) glycocalyx. Gandhi uses computational these molecules. adjuvant. department general purchases and assists providing coverage as the director’s Sager, CESI administrative and theoretical means to study the cancer In addition to their adjuvant in the onboarding of new faculty, staff and assistant and is working with the Cornell manager glycocalyx and understand how cancer Yehou Michel properties, OMVs can be engineered to students. Energy Systems Institute to plan the fall Sager joins the Cornell Energy Systems cells may be using this coat for their own Davy Gnopo display exogenous pathogenic proteins, Welcome Cindy Allen, 2018 Energy Seminar. Institute (CESI) from Binghamton good. Putnam Group making them a versatile vaccine delivery director of administration Congratulations Sara University where she was most recently Particularly, Gandhi studies how Having grown up vehicle for a wide range of potential ucinda M. Koyama Hwong and the program staff associate for the cancer cells can use their dense glycocalyx in Ivory Coast, pathogens. For example, the Putnam (Cindy) Allen, Shayna Barnes NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy to change their shape. He draws upon an-ex French Group previously engineered OMVs that joined CBE Storage (NECCES). In her four years theoretical analyses of polymers attached colony in Western effectively protected mice and ferrets from L BE celebrated the graduation on Nov. 1, 2017. with NECCES, Sager served as both the to a surface to predict how cancer cells Africa, Gnopo understands very well pandemic influenza infection. The focus of two of its long-term student Cindy brings years of project and operations manager for the generate long tubes that they may use for the importance of meeting the eight of Gnopo's research is to investigate the workers this year, Sara Koyama senior management C program. Prior to NECCES, she spent six communicating with other cells. He also Millennium Development Goals defined colloidal stability of OMVs and expand the Hwong and Shayna Barnes. Hwong and experience from years as a contract and grant administrator uses computational approaches based by the United Nations. A lacking repertoire of pathogenic antigens that can Barnes, as well as CBE’s other student a retail business, at the Research Foundation for SUNY on chemical transport and mechanics educational system, a failing healthcare be carried by OMVs to increase their utility workers, are an important part of the an IT startup, a Binghamton and is a certified pre- and to understand the changes occurring in and a stagnant economic landscape to prevent infectious disease. Specifically, day-to-day support of the school and regulated utility and Cornell University. post-award research administrator. She the glycocalyx when cancer cells reside strongly reliant on foreign aid are issues his research aims to recapitulate pathogen its instructional and research missions. Allen earned her bachelor’s degree from holds a Master of Public Administration in tightly packed tumors and when they he studied and lived daily. However, while antigen composition through studying We will miss seeing their helpful, happy Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in (MPA) degree from Allegheny College. metastasize through confined tissue Gnopo was unable to do much about these how to trigger fusion of OMVs to create faces and wish them well in all future information systems and organizational spaces. issues, except pursuing a more complete hybrids that contain multiple antigens on a endeavors. development. Her Master of Science education beyond the Atlantic, he has been single vesicle.

24 | OLIN Hall News 25 | OLIN Hall News GRADUATE GRADUATE NEWS NEWS

CHEGSA 2017-18 AUSTIN HOOEY GRADUATE RESEARCH ANNUAL UPDATE EXCELLENCE RECONGNITION AWARD he Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association he Austin Hooey Graduate Research Excellence Recognition Award is the highest award given to a graduate student by (ChEGSA) is the primary the Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. It recognizes outstanding contributions to scholarship and organization for representing research towards a Ph.D., and engagement with the school's community. The award was established in 2005 by Professor Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association T the graduate students and Lynden Archer, then director of graduate studies, in honor of the late Austin O. Hooey (1922–2004). Her father, William postdocs within the department. Over social events that began this year were system within our department to better T Hooey, earned his degree in chemical engineering in 1912. Both deeply valued higher education and Cornell University. the past year, ChEGSA has made great the board game club and visit weekend manage stress, anxiety and depression. strides in each of its priority areas to board game mixer. The board game club Currently, this is in its infancy, but we have provide a more enjoyable graduate To date, 27 CBE graduate students have been recognized with the award. The student experience in CBE. meets bi-weekly and has an attendance of constructed a survey for the department 20-30 people on average, garnering much that we hope to use to better understand recipients from the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters are: 2018 update from interest. Additionally, the visit weekend where we need to place our focus. board game mixer had approximately For our outreach we recently held Yaset Acevedo 505, a 3D covalent organic framework In particular, we probe the capability of ChEGSA leadership: 75 attendees and was quite successful an event with Habitat for Humanity Clancy Research (COF) “weave” to selectively control gas COF-505 to act as a responsive molecular Group he main event in ChEGSA’s in aiding the recruiting efforts of the where 15 volunteers helped with the adsorption and characterize its molecular sponge through the selective adsorption of professional development department. construction of a house in Ithaca. The Computational scale morphology. gas molecules. portfolio is the CBE Graduate The greatest strides were made in the volunteers seemed to enjoy the work and Characterization COF-505 is a unique member of the of Highly Selective COF family. Unlike typical COFs, which Student Symposium. We area of promoting fellowship within the we hope to continue these events once a Separation Processes Mardochee Texpanded upon last year’s program department. Under this umbrella, three semester going forward. As always, we using a Novel have fairly rigid frameworks, COF-505 Reveil and had 15 speakers, including the main initiatives were pursued. The first helped raise significant donations during Covalent Organic features an elastic material that consists of Clancy Research Framework Woven a weave of intertwined chains composed Group first annual “best paper of the year” was the added responsibility for recruiting. the Thanksgiving food drive and also Material award and 28 poster presentations. We During visit weekend, ChEGSA not only took part in a spring product drive where of bisphenanthroline and benzidine. Multiscale Modeling augmented the presentation evaluation paired prospective students with graduate we collected day-to-day products that dvances in organic thin films and Copper centers are present during and Machine membranes have been developed fabrication of this material and these metal Learning Studies method by including peer reviewed oral student mentors, but we also helped low-income families cannot buy with food of the Diffusion of presentations and faculty reviewed poster organize the Saturday dinner to help the stamps. A for decades for catalysis, gas centers can be reversibly removed and re- Silicon and Intrinsic presentations. We also highlighted this prospective students experience Ithaca. Going forward, we have a good sense storage and separations. While added without loss of COF structure. Defects In III-V Semiconductors year’s Smith Initiatives during the evening As mentioned before, the visit weekend of the direction we would like to take nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are Demetalation is associated with a ten- programming, giving the department a was capped off with a successful board as an organization. We recently posted widely applied in separations at the fold increase in elasticity. Because of this ntegrating III-V semiconductors look into these student led initiatives. We game mixer. To further add to this, after an anonymous feedback form online nanoscale, there is an ongoing need to unique property, we expect the interface into next-generation silicon-based have planned to expand our professional the acceptance deadline for the incoming for students to voice their concerns and improve size and chemical selectivity in between the organic weave and adsorbing processing is a promising alternative development efforts next year by including students, they were immediately paired comments about ChEGSA. We have a organic membranes. To address this need, gas molecules to be highly dependent being considered as a route to faster two new workshops such as storytelling, with new graduate students mentors to aid planned budget for our GPSA funds for we need a better understanding of the on temperature and pressure, giving us and more energy-efficient electronic scientific graphic design or grant writing. the incoming students with the transition next year and we are preparing to draft relationship between nanoscale structure two accessible and sensitive “levers” to devices. To improve conductivity, these ChEGSA has always excelled at to Cornell. another budget for our departmental and macroscale properties. tune to suit the requirements of a variety III-V materials will be doped, typically student events, and this year was no The second main initiative was funds. Lastly, we plan to look at promoting This is especially true for new of applications. The woven composition with Si. However, dopant activation exception. Our group helped organize promoting a healthy lifestyle through the ethnical diversity in our department materials. At the near-molecular-scale of COF-505 endows the material with remains an issue, compounded by the fact several traditional events including the expanding our intramural sport program. with new programming inclusive of some of the newest materials, permanent porosity and is durable that there is still insufficient knowledge Halloween costume mixer, Thanksgiving This year our department took part in to international students such as an understanding structure-property against fluctuations in temperature and of the ease and preferred mechanistic potluck, wine tasting mixer, and trivia seven different sports, which we hope to international potluck. relationships is challenging for pressure. Using Molecular Dynamics and pathways by which dopants, like Si, mixer. However, we also tried out two maintain through next year. Overall, ChEGSA had a progressive experimental techniques, but tailor- Density Functional Theory, validated diffuse and become “activated” within new events, a chili bakeoff and a BBQ and The last, and perhaps most impactful year and we hope to continue with this made for computational modeling and against experimental data, we explore the III-V matrix (i.e., they contribute to beer tasting mixer, which had favourable initiative was beginning a mental wellness momentum going forward. simulation. We model and assess the the diffusion and adsorption properties the desired improvement in electronic feedback. Perhaps the most successful program that looks to improve the support viability for a very new material, COF- of various gases in this unique material.

26 | OLIN Hall News 27 | OLIN Hall News GRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE NEWS PROFILES

properties). For example, an unusual Snehashis cross-linked nanoparticle-polymer increase in Si diffusion observed at high Choudhury composite electrolytes with tunable pore dopant concentration has for the most part Archer Research size and quantified the stability of metal UNDERGRADUATE PROFILES Group remained unexplained. electrodeposition in these systems. Direct LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD AT that highlights personal stories from the Using Density Functional Theory Rational Design of visualization of electrodeposition using CORNELL: Cornell community. Six people are asked (DFT) and Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) Nanoporous Polymer these electrolytes showed remarkable Electrolytes and Solid- I was the policy & practices subteam every spring semester to speak and this calculations, we have determined many Liquid Interphases agreement with the theoretical predictions. lead for Cornell iGEM, a synthetic biology time around, I was given the opportunity of these critically important properties, for Lithium Metal Furthermore, when operated in a battery, project team. I also was an engineering to share my own story. You can listen to Batteries namely, the energy barriers associated the crosslinked membrane demonstrated ambassador, a graduate of the Engineering my talk here: bit.ly/2K1dHJT. with the diffusion of both intrinsic point dvances in the basic science stable galvanostatic cycling of lithium Leadership Program, a Frank and Rosa defects and extrinsic silicon impurities and engineering principles of metal anodes for several hundreds of Rhodes Scholar and a Kessler Fellow, an ADVICE FOR FUTURE STUDENT in prototypical III-V materials, here Zinc electrochemical energy storage is hours. entrepreneurial fellowship that funds LEADERS: Blende structures for GaAs and InAs and imperative for significant progress Importantly, these studies showed engineers to work at a startup. I worked Being a leader does not mean that the CuAuI-ordered ternary, In0.5Ga0.5As. in portable electronic devices. In this that while the tendency for battery failure at a film agency! Finally, I’m a Rawlings you have to be the most extroverted or Refuting assumptions in the current regard, metal-based batteries comprising by dendrite-induced short-circuits can be Research Scholar too—through that, I dominant person in the room. Everyone literature that the experimentally observed of a reactive metal (like Li, Na, Al) as reduced in polymer electrolytes, the issue worked in the Paszek Lab for two years leads in different ways. Find out what enhanced diffusion can be attributed to an anode have attracted remarkable attention of capacity-fading as a result of continuous and then moved over to working in the makes you, you, and the strengths and increase in Ga vacancies, vacancy-assisted due to their promise of improving the reactions of the metal with liquid Sabin Design Lab. gifts that you have been given. Then, diffusion of isolated Si atoms was found anode-specific capacity by as much as 10- electrolyte persists. Through multiscale figure out how to cultivate those strengths! to be an unfavorable mechanism for modeling of ion transport, artificial MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A fold, compared to the current state-of-art POST-GRADUATION GOALS: this group of semiconductor alloys. Our Li-ion battery that uses a graphitic anode. solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) designs Grace Chuang ’18 LEADER: I will be joining the Creative Team results show that new and highly mobile Perhaps their greatest advantage will be proposed for lithium-oxygen WHY CORNELL? I co-founded Untold (untoldatcornell. species that are created at high dopant batteries to enable stable recharge and com), an interactive event at the Johnson at Ginkgo Bioworks in Boston! I am lies in the possibility of using a Li-free This past year I was giving an concentration are instead responsible for low overpotentials even with chemically Museum of Art sharing the stories of 18 so excited to continue exploring the high-capacity cathode like oxygen, which individual tour to a prospective student the enhanced diffusion observed at high reactive liquid electrolytes. people in the Ithaca community through interdisciplinary side of myself and can improve the gravimetric energy and during the tour, we walked through dopant concentration. Those new species photographs and audio. My team of continuing to bridge engineering and art. density of batteries from ~0.3kWh/kg the project team space in Upson Hall. The include Si complexes such as Si-Si pairs four other engineers and I, through the to ~12kWh/kg (i.e. comparable to the energy in the room was so high. There was FAVORITE OLIN HALL/CHEME and Si split interstitials which can move Engineering Leadership Program, worked useful energy available from combustion music blasting, there were spare parts and MEMORY: more easily within the crystal lattice. for seven months to give a platform to of hydrocarbons). However, a persistent objects everywhere and machines running, Hanging out with my senior product We use these DFT results to inform the homeless, refugees, students and the challenge with batteries based on metallic and people were running around, but design group every week. I am thankful the development of a continuum model elderly. On Nov. 18, 2016, we put our anodes concerns their propensity to fail everyone we bumped into was so excited for groupmates who are friends outside of that addresses limitations in current exhibit up and over 300 people walked due to short-circuits produced by dendrite to tell us about what they were working Olin Hall, too. models and shows close agreement with through our doors. I will never forget the growth during battery recharge, as well on. The tour was supposed to be just for experimental results. We also develop a energy in the room, the feeling of watching as by runaway of the cell resistance due the prospective student (and believe me, new method whereby machine learning, strangers listen together, and faces of our to internal side reactions with liquid he left about ready to apply to Cornell in lieu of DFT, is used to predict forces interviewees when we delivered the notes electrolytes. right then and there), but it ended up also during NEB simulations. This new method that attendees had written back to them. On the basis of a linear stability being for me, because I left falling in love allows us to compute transition pathways I have a huge passion for telling other analysis of dendrite growth during metal with Cornell all over again. What I saw at a fraction of the cost, while maintaining people’s stories, but on the other side, I electrodeposition, we have showed that there sums up what I’ve experienced in my reasonable accuracy compared to a am also proud of being a 2018 speaker for the length-scale on which transport occurs four years here—hands on work, energy traditional DFT approach. Soup & Hope, which is a biweekly series near the electrodes can be as important and lifelong friendships. as electrolyte modulus in stabilizing metals against dendrite formation. To evaluate this proposal, we designed

28 | OLIN Hall News 29 | OLIN Hall News UNDERGRADUATE PROFILES

and am one of the outgoing co-directors of as Homecoming T-shirt giveaways, My advice is to encourage all student conference. I am the most senior member ADVICE FOR FUTURE STUDENT Movies on the Arts Quad, Convocation leaders to try new things. Going out of of the Thompson research group and have LEADERS: and Senior Days. Since my junior year, your comfort zone will definitely make been mentoring and training the new In my time here, I have found that I began serving my class as the Class of you a better and stronger leader. It won’t undergraduate and graduate students. the key to being an effective leader is 2018 president. I also spoke at Convocation be easy, but at the end of the experience, I During my time at Cornell, I was also a knowing when to say no, how and when and represented the Class of 2018 as I guarantee it will be worth it. mentor for the CUEmpower Engineering to delegate, and what the strengths and walked during Commencement as a Class Mentorship program, a piano teacher for weaknesses of your members are. Every Marshal. It has been an incredible honor to POST-GRADUATION GOALS: the Cornell Piano Society and a volunteer member of your team has the ability to be in this role—without Class Councils, I I will be a Beauty Research & for elementary STEM outreach. contribute positively to your organization, would have never met some of my closest Development Engineer at Procter & and understanding how to help them friends, or worked with other strong Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A find their place and feel included will leaders on this campus. I planned events LEADER: FAVORITE OLIN HALL/CHEME not only bolster the effectiveness of your for 14,000 undergraduate students, which MEMORY: My a cappella group is one of organization but also create stronger is something I find humbling. My favorite memory at Olin Hall was the youngest groups on campus, and friendships. The most important lesson I handing out fun presents to my professors I am honored to have been a part of have learned at Cornell is how to fail, and ADVICE FOR FUTURE STUDENT as Santa at the Holiday Party. A close its tremendous growth over the last it has allowed me to understand myself so LEADERS: Sreejata “S.J.” Munsi ’18 second favorite memory are all the late Emily Cheng ’18 few years. As a group open to all who I can be both a better teammate and better Class Councils has pushed me out of nights in the Undergrad Lounge, which is WHY CORNELL? identify as women, genderqueer, and/ leader to various organizations. WHY CORNELL? my comfort zone, and taught me so many or nonbinary, we are committed to skills about leadership. I learned how when I really got to know other ChemEs I was mostly applying to schools I knew I wanted to be an engineer, but advertising to diverse audiences that POST-GRADUATION GOALS: to problem solve and think on my feet, on a more personal level. near my home in Tennessee when I heard I didn’t necessarily want to be surrounded are LGBTQ+ and/or of all cultures and I will be working at Apple this which I know is valuable to an engineer. about Cornell. At the time, I was looking by only engineers. Cornell, in addition to backgrounds. With the help of the other summer as a Materials Engineering for schools with renowned engineering being a prestigious institution, is a place members of the executive board, I led the Research & Development Product programs, and Cornell certainly fit that that has intelligent people with diverse group to grow from performing for dozens Engineering intern in the thin films description. Additionally, I sought a school interests and talents. And that, honestly, of audiences to a few hundred every department. I will be returning in the fall that would allow me to interact with was what drew me to this university. The semester. to complete my Masters of Engineering in people from many different cultures and people. In SWE, I led several fantastic teams materials engineering. I plan to work in backgrounds. Because of timing and travel to grow our monthly general body the electronics/tech industry in the future LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD AT constraints, I actually matriculated to attendance by over 200 percent. Since after completing my masters. Additionally, CORNELL: Cornell before I was able to visit. The risk SWE is the largest engineering student I would like to work with more nonprofit I served as Class of 2018 president that I took in deciding to attend without organization, it was important to me to organizations in the future to support through Cornell University Class Councils knowing much about Cornell turned out to create more social opportunities for our women and underrepresented minorities during junior and senior years. During my be one of the best decisions of my life. members to build lasting friendships, in STEM fields. Outside of engineering, I time at Cornell, I was also a mentor for LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD AT invoke a sense of belonging, and mentor produce music professionally and would the CUEmpower Engineering Mentorship CORNELL: younger students. I also spearheaded love to expand my repertoire and client program, a piano teacher for the Cornell I am currently the musical director the creation of a major team-building base in that field once I graduate. Piano Society and a volunteer for for my a cappella group, Less Than Three event that raised money for the American elementary STEM outreach. Association of University Women. FAVORITE OLIN HALL/CHEME A Cappella. I have held a number of MEMORY: MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A positions within that organization and Working with my various student The CBE holiday party last semester LEADER: have also been on the executive board the organizations and my research group was a lot of fun. It was great to see I have been involved in student last three years for the Society of Women has given me the opportunity to gain everyone dressed in their best party government since my freshman year when Engineers (SWE). Within SWE, I was the experience leading both large and small clothes and take a night off, and I enjoyed I joined Cornell University Class Councils. director of student services for two years groups, and I am looking forward to working with more teams in my future reminiscing with friends about how far we We plan large school-wide events, such Sreejata “S.J.” Munsi ’18 as Santa at the school holiday party. career. had come since sophomore year.

30 | OLIN Hall News 31 | OLIN Hall News CLASS OF UNDERGRADUATE 2018 AWARDS

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENT AWARDS & CLASS OF 2018! HONORS 2017-2018 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF TAU BETA PI SCHOLARSHIP TAU BETA PI SCHOLARSHIP CHEMICAL ENGINEERS OTHMER SOPHOMORE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

Kayla Niccum ’18 Vincent Rigoglioso ’18 This award supports engineering students This award supports engineering students in their senior year recognizing their in their senior year recognizing their Angela Tang ’18 academic achievement, extracurricular academic achievement, extracurricular This award was established by the AIChE activities, and the promise of substantial activities, and the promise of substantial to recognize undergraduate academic contributions to the engineering contributions to the engineering excellence. Left to right: Professor Engstrom profession. Left to right: Professor Paszek and profession. Left to right: Professor Paszek and and Angela Tang. Kayla Niccum. Vinnie Rigoglioso.

SHELL TECHNICAL SCHOLARSHIP TAU BETA PI SCHOLARSHIP TAU BETA PI SCHOLARSHIP

Class of 2018 1 Allen Jiang 18 Courtney Bui 35 Emily Zinnikas 51 Khloe Heath 68 Lee Puckett 85 Tim Tsang 2 Jane Liao 19 Kathryn Haldeman 36 Daniel Vasquez 52 Oge Anyene 69 Yerin (Erin) Kim 86 Anna Kryczka 3 Justin Lin 20 Kayla Niccum 37 Vinnie Rigoglioso 53 Sanjana Sundaram 70 Alec Sung 87 Andy Luke 4 Michaela Jones 21 Jessie Reeves 38 H. Phong 54 Grace Chuang 71 Daniel DeCorla Not pictured: 5 Emily Cheng 22 Dwiju Hemanth (Phillip) Nguyen 55 Auggie Longo 72 Daniel Lorenzo Helen Hultin 6 Stephanie Yiu 23 Monica Manickam 39 T. Tung Le 56 Joe Hassler 73 Mingyung Jiang Juliet Kopel Kayla Niccum ’18 Thanh Tung Le ’18 Thanh Tung Le ’18, Vincent 7 Angela Tang 24 Erica Gardner 40 Dale Shearin 57 Adam Berry 74 Matthew Crafton Lauren Russo This award supports students pursuing an Rigoglioso ’18, Kayla Niccum ’18 8 Chuting Deng 25 Fernanda Piorino 41 Josh Calka 58 Charles Jackan 75 James Bischoff Maharshi Thakker This award supports engineering students undergraduate degree in specific technical in their senior year recognizing their This award supports engineering students 9 Allison Pereira 26 Shelby Head 42 Amelia Sugianto 59 Josef Byrne 76 Ben Voss Neil Mehta fields of study. Left to right: Professor Stroock academic achievement, extracurricular in their senior year recognizing their 10 Alyssa Kirsch 27 Xiao Yin Ma 43 Sara Ng 60 José Covarrubias 77 Seth Feder Rebecca Herz and Kayla Niccum. activities, and the promise of substantial academic achievement, extracurricular 11 Xin Ting Liao 28 Esha Halabe 44 Doris Chen 61 Will Woodruff 78 Elijah Martinez S. H. (Andrew) Hong contributions to the engineering activities, and the promise of substantial 12 Sophie Cong 29 Amy Wey 45 Jing Huang 62 Katie Conway 79 Min Kim Wesley Campbell profession. Left to right: Professor Paszek and contributions to the engineering 13 Alexis Marquez 30 Evan Wait 46 Max Goldberg 63 Rahul Rajagopalan 80 Winston Lee YangJin (Michael) Yoon T. Tung Le. profession. Left to right: Professor Paszek, 14 SJ Munsi 31 Ameer Basrai 47 Eitan Jaffe 64 JD Gómez 81 Akash Vaidya Vinnie Rigoglioso, T. Tung Le and Kayla 15 Morgan Parker 32 Peter Romero 48 Carolyn Schwartz 65 Kiana Leung 82 Graham Richartz Niccum. 16 Gautham Sezhian 33 Lilly Mendoza 49 Pooja Maheshwari 66 Cynthia Fung 83 Quinn McNeil 17 Drew Lepore 34 Karlie Mellott 50 Kitty Hennessy 67 Theo Goosen Jr 84 Max DeCataldo

32 | OLIN Hall News 33 | OLIN Hall News UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP PHILLIPS 66 UNDERGRADUATE memory of Professor George F. Scheele, AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE FERDINAND RODRIGUEZ SCHOLARSHIP former associate director of the school, SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL TEACHING ASSISTANT OF THE OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD to recognize academic excellence, and YEAR AWARD IN POLYMERS AND ELECTRONIC achievement in campus and professional MATERIALS activities. Left to right: Carol Scheel and Allen Jiang. Allen was recognized by Ariel Waitz ’08 Senior Engineer, Genentech during the Career Perspectives lecture.

SPHINX HEAD SENIOR HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION

Allen Jiang ’18 Recognizing intellectual curiosity Kathryn Haldeman ’18 Joseph Hassler ’18 and excellence in mathematics and Recognizing exceptional academic This award recognizes outstanding service G. Benjamin Voss ’18 engineering. Left to right: Professor Stroock achievement with professional potential to improve the professional and social Chosen by the faculty for outstanding Adam Berry ’18 and Allen Jiang. in the oil and energy industry. Left to right: culture of the school. Left to right: Professor teaching by an undergraduate assistant Honoring Professor Rodriguez and Professor Olbricht and Kathryn Haldeman. Stroock and Joe Hassler. and his contributions to Process Control recognizing outstanding achievements FRANK AND ROSA RHODES Strategies. Left to right: Professor Center, Ben in academics and in the professional SCHOLARSHIP PHILLIPS 66 UNDERGRADUATE OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE Voss and Professor Lomax. community. Left to right: Professor Joo and SCHOLARSHIP TEACHING ASSISTANT OF THE Adam Berry. YEAR AWARD CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Peter Romero ’18 OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD OUTSTANDING CHEMICAL The Society recognizes demonstrated ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE respectable strength of character on top of RESEARCH AWARD a dedication to leadership and service at Cornell University. Left to right: Professor Anton and Peter Romero. AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL Grace Chuang ’18 Recognizing outstanding academic Emily Cheng ’18 achievement and leadership. Left to right: Recognizing exceptional academic Anderson Luke ’18 Professor Paszek and Grace Chuang. achievement with professional potential Chosen by the faculty for outstanding Shelby Head ’18 in the oil and energy industry. Left to right: teaching by an undergraduate assistant This award recognizes outstanding PHILLIPS 66 UNDERGRADUATE Professor Mike Thompson, Associate Dean for and his contributions to Mass & Energy scholarship, mastery of chemical Allen Jiang ’18 SCHOLARSHIP Undergraduate Programs and Emily Cheng. Balances, and Analysis of Separation engineering fundamentals, demonstrated This award recognizes a demonstrated Processes. Left to right: Andy Luke and application in the capstone laboratory and record of ability, indication of leadership, GENENTECH AND GEORGE Professor Duncan. design courses and professional promise. and professional promise. Left to right: SCHEELE OUTSTANDING JUNIOR Left to right: Professor Paszek and Shelby Professor Stroock and Allen Jiang. AWARD Head. Akash Vaidya ’18 This award recognizes outstanding service to improve the professional and social culture of the school. Left to right: Professor Stroock and Akash Vaidya.

Michaela Jones ’18 Recognizing exceptional academic achievement with professional potential in the oil and energy industry. Left to right: Professor Duncan and Michaela Jones. Allen Jiang ’18 This award is sponsored by Genentech in

34 | OLIN Hall News 35 | OLIN Hall News Faculty Start Up Funds – Faculty PROGRAM SUPPORT Renewal GIVING OPPORTUNITIES $500,000 Current Use Startup funds for new student project Current use gifts to support the hiring of faculty in CBE. teams The Smith School has outgrown Olin Hall, but we have plans to grow, from the inside, our venerable home to $50,000 or any size gift accommodate our programs into the future. Olin has been prioritized in the College of Engineering’s Facilities GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS Master Plan for a full renovation. This prioritization recognizes the exceptional growth that has occurred in the Support CBE WOMEN (Women in Engineering school, in teaching and research, over the past decade. To accommodate our current and future programs, the Graduate. Fellowships / Awards plan aims to liberate significant new space within Olin Hall—with a ecoveryr of all the space occupied by college $50,000 or any size gift services—to accommodate state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching and common spaces. This re-envisioning and • Endowed...... $1.5 million endowment Support industrial field experience reinvigorating of Olin for its next 75 years brings exciting opportunities and funding priorities: • Term (5-year current use)...... $300,000 and international opportunities for • Graduate “Award”.....$100,000 endowment students Creation of a Cornell Institute for Creation of next generation spaces for Attracting talented graduate students to the school is a key $100,000 endowment goal in our pursuit of excellence in research. Your gift will Biological Design and Manufacturing active learning and research Field experiences and international programs provide some $1 - $10 million $100,000 allow the school to meet its goal of providing competitive graduate fellowships to every first year graduate student of the richest possible training for students of the school. A Chemical engineers at Cornell are using the principles Within the scope of our complete renovation, we have enrolled in the chemical engineering program. summer experience at Imperial College London’s carbon of biological and engineering design to harness living opportunities to invest in state-of-the-art facilities capture pilot plant and a week-long training in off-shore organisms for manufacturing chemical products. The for interactive learning, student project space and Teaching Immersion Fellowships for operations at a Shell facility have been made financially Institute for Biological Design and Manufacturing will research. With much of the building untouched since the Doctoral Students viable for cohorts of students over these past several years capitalize on this trend to catalyze progress towards a cinderblocks were laid in 1942, we have spaces of all size $1.5 million endowment by generous gifts from alumni. We hope to continue these new ‘biomanufacturing economy,’ in which engineers and for our whole range of programs—from process and programs and expand opportunities in the coming years, in The goal of CBE’s teaching immersion fellowships is to develop biological systems to manufacture new products— product design through to the discovery of advanced particular with visits to and engagement with companies in facilitate the development of doctoral students committed materials, therapeutic drugs, and fuels—that address some materials for energy storage—that need to be updated and our region. to careers in academia. Gifts in support of these fellowships of the world’s most pressing problems. Gifts in support renovated. will be used to fund graduate students who serve as TAs in of the institute will allow the school to renovate and CBE Discretionary Fund multiple courses. expand space in Olin Hall that will house the institute. FACULTY Gifts of Any Size Your support of the institute will also provide annual Professor of Practice Professional Masters Fellowships Unrestricted gifts of any amount may be directed to CBE support for research and education programs related to the $3,000,000 Endowment $1.5 million endowment and will provide the director the flexibility to support the institute’s mission. priorities listed above, aggressively recruit and retain junior Industrial Practitioners (IPs) are chemical engineers Graduate Award faculty, seize other opportunities and address challenges at Creation of the Heart of the Smith with considerable practical experience who return to $100,000 endowment their discretion. School in Olin Hall Cornell to serve as lecturers. Since the mid 1990’s, CBE The school’s Master of Engineering programs have never $5 - $10 million undergraduates have benefited greatly from continuous been larger or more vibrant than they are today. Students service of IPs in our capstone Chemical Process Design FOR MORE INFORMATION ON For the first time in the history of the school and of Olin enroll from around the world to take on courses and Course and Unit Operations Laboratory. More recently, Hall, we have an opportunity to create a true home- projects within our four specializations: Computational THESE OR ANY OTHER GIVING IPs have played a central role in the development of new base for Chemical and Biological Engineering. One that Informatics, Energy Economics and Engineering, Medical OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT components of our curriculum in Product Design and celebrates our past (the Rhodes Lounge mural) and hosts and Industrial Biotechnology, and Product Design. Energy Economics. dynamic interactions between students and faculty as they This endowment will allow the school to provide these Hilary Diekow, Associate Director of Development design our future. Olin Hall occupies an iconic space on Endowed Professorship Biomolecular opportunities to talented young engineers who might otherwise not be able to afford the program. [email protected] Ho Plaza in the center of Cornell’s campus. This new space Engineering within Olin will serve as the beating heart of this center, $3,000,000 Endowment 607-254-6702 showcasing the creativity and hard work of the ChemE’s of today and tomorrow. Gifts to this fund will support salary and research startup costs for hiring a member of the faculty who will facilitate https://www.cheme.cornell.edu/alumni/giving.cfm growth of biomolecular engineering.

36 | OLIN Hall News 37 | OLIN Hall News Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

38 | OLIN Hall News