NEWS

Professor to chair division of American Institute of Chemical Engineers

Mar 20, 2012 | Engineering and Science

Dr. Daniela Mainardi, associate professor and program chair of chemical engineering and associate professor of nanosystems engineering at Louisiana Tech University, has been elected Chair of the Transport and Energy Processes Division (TEP) of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). “This is a fitting recognition of Dr. Mainardi’s contributions to the field of chemical engineering in general and AIChE in particular,” said Dr. Ramu Ramachandran, associate dean for research for Louisiana Tech’s the College of Engineering and Science.  “The College has been focusing on energy as a thematic area for education in research for a few years now, and Dr. Mainardi’s recognition comes at a very appropriate time.” As Chair, Mainardi will work with two vice-chairs and the Board of Directors to organize meetings and conferences, including sessions at the AIChE national meetings.  The TEP also facilitates the interaction of AIChE with other professional societies and organizations connected to transport and energy processes. Mainardi holds the Thomas C. & Nelda M. Jeffery Endowed Professorship in Engineering at Louisiana Tech and is a research faculty member at Tech’s Institute for Micromanufacturing (IfM.)  She has also received the prestigious Early Career Development Award from the National Science Foundation for her research into improving the efficiency of fuel cells. The AIChE is the world’s leading organization for chemical engineering professionals, with over 40,000 members from 90 countries.  Members have access to information on recognized and promising chemical engineering processes and methods as well as connect with a global network of resources and colleagues. Written by Catherine Fraser – cfraser@latech.edu