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Chemical and Biological Engineering

Category: Students

Graduate Student Highlights: Creighton Baltier

  • April 5th, 2024

Creighton BaltierCreighton Baltier has been a dedicated graduate research assistant in Dr. Bara’s lab for the past three years. His time at The University of Alabama began in 2016 when he was pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Following the four years studying as an undergraduate student, he felt well prepared for the transition to graduate school, so he began his Master’s program in August of 2020.

Creighton’s decision to continue his graduate studies at the Capstone can be attributed to various reasons. With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, he changed his mind about entering the industrial workforce and felt compelled to stay at UA to pursue higher-level degrees and get more involved in the research opportunities available to graduate students. He was particularly drawn to Dr. Bara’s lab and the research, which involves developing green solvents for the dissolution of hard to dissolve plastics. He also felt motivated by the amount of time and support that Dr. Bara and the chemical engineering department had invested in him.

His most meaningful accomplishment so far in his graduate studies is the thesis he wrote as part of earning his Master’s degree. He finds satisfaction in the fact that his research project is not a ‘headliner’, meaning that the research he is doing now serves as the starting point and the foundation from which others can build their own research ideas.

When reflecting on his previous research experiences to give advice to those beginning their research career, Creighton wants to emphasize the importance of keeping an open mind and demonstrating commitment and effort to the lab. He encourages students to be proactive in forming relationships with advisors and research professors. Creighton remains dedicated to his research efforts at The University of Alabama and is looking forward to making meaningful contributions in the field of chemical engineering in the future.

Graduate Student Highlights: Ademola Soyemi

  • November 20th, 2023
photo of Ademola Soyemi

Ademola Soyemi is a graduate research assistant in the Szilvási group. Ademola grew up in Nigeria and earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Covenant University in 2018. After graduation, Ademola worked in industry for a few years before coming to the United States to pursue a Ph.D.

Ademola decided to return to school because he wanted to expand his abilities and make a meaningful impact in an emerging field. Ademola was intrigued by The University of Alabama Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering because of the innovative research methods and novel subjects being investigated by faculty. He was particularly drawn to Dr. Tibor Szilvási’s group following an exciting and inspiring discussion with him about the intersection of computations and chemical engineering. Furthermore, Ademola saw a great deal of potential in computational research and wanted to be part of the next wave of innovation in this relatively new field.

Ademola’s main project is centered around plastic upcycling. He helps design and identify environmentally friendly solvents for plastic upcycling. To do this, Ademola runs simulations on computers to learn more about material properties and uses the results to predict the most effective solvents for a specific application. Ademola is currently focused on functionalizing glycerol so that it can effectively dissolve plastic. Glycerol is made as an unwanted side product in the biodiesel production process. Hence, it shows promise as a solvent from both environmental and economical perspectives.

Ademola loves his research because it gives him an opportunity to do truly novel and original work. He feels that what he is doing will make a meaningful difference on how the world works. Moreover, he enjoys the day-to-day grind of troubleshooting and working through new problems. Lastly, Ademola is happy to be in Alabama. He can tell that Dr. Szilvási and the department as a whole are invested in his success. He has also had the chance to meet people from diverse backgrounds and be part of an eclectic and collaborative community. Altogether, he considers the department to be a welcoming environment that encourages excellence. He is excited to continue his research and graduate with his Ph.D. in the next couple of years.

Graduate Student Highlights: Joseph Danner

  • November 20th, 2023
Picture of Joseph Danner

Joseph Danner is an exceptional graduate student in the Weinman lab. Joseph grew up in Augusta, Georgia and came to the Capstone in 2015 to begin his undergraduate studies. He decided to pursue chemical engineering because he was intrigued by the innovative nature of the field and its diverse applications.

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2019, Joseph started his career as a process engineer at Parsons Corporation. In this role, Joseph primarily worked in design and commissioning. He regularly performed plant walkdowns, made modifications to processing systems, and carried out calculations to determine specifications for pressure safety valves, pumps, heat exchangers, and other processing equipment.

In 2021 Joseph decided to return to Alabama to attend graduate school. He made this decision because he wanted to broaden his professional horizons and work on novel projects that will drive the next wave of innovation. Specifically, he was drawn to Dr. Weinman’s research on separations, which he considered to be cutting-edge. Additionally, he felt like Dr. Weinman, as well as the graduate program, were truly invested in his success.

The goal of Joseph’s research is to engineer the next generation of sustainable membranes using green solvents and plastic upcycling. In recent years, many of the solvents involved in membrane fabrication processes have been found to be dangerous, so there is currently a major push in industry to find effective and eco-friendly alternatives. Joseph contributed to a breakthrough in these efforts by identifying a novel green solvent commonly found in various nuts, seeds, and baked goods. Moreover, Joseph was able to use this solvent to dissolve plastic forks and spoons, which were then repurposed to fabricate water filtration membranes. Both findings present remarkable potential for reducing waste, protecting the environment, and building a more sustainable future around membranes.

Joseph is extraordinarily passionate about his work and the overall mission of the department. He appreciates how professors lend their expertise to each other’s projects and views their collaboration as an integral part of everyone’s success. Joseph also enjoys the sense of collegiality that he experiences across faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Altogether, he is excited to be involved in the department and looks forward to contributing to more research going forward.

Undergraduate Student Highlights: Fallon Haley

  • November 20th, 2023
photo of Fallon Haley

Fallon Haley is an extraordinary student and researcher at the University of Alabama. Fallon came to Capstone in 2020 to pursue her bachelor’s in chemical engineering. She was drawn to the degree because of the collaborative and innovative opportunities it offered. She was specifically intrigued by the Randall Research Scholars Program, which allowed her to supplement her studies with long-term research projects.

Fallon is in her third year working with Dr. Christopher Brazel and Dr. Ryan Summers. Her research uses biological engineering to design metabolic pathways in yeasts. These pathways help offer a new way of producing an important fatty acid. Fallon is extremely passionate about her research. She loves how she starts a project with a theory and then slowly turns that theory into a meaningful reality. Additionally, she feels that research provides her with an outlet to contribute novel ideas and discoveries to the world. Consequently, after graduation she intends to continue to work in the State of Alabama in a research and development role.

Fallon’s excellence goes beyond the classroom and lab. At the beginning of her sophomore year, she was part of a handful of students who brought Active Minds, an organization focused on helping students with mental health, to campus. Fallon hopes that the group will foster positive views around mental wellness amongst students and ultimately help them find better ways to manage stress so that they can balance productivity with happiness. Moreover, Fallon has an outgoing personality and is a committed member of the UA community and regularly participates in student activities on campus. She particularly enjoys playing intramural sports.

Fallon’s undeniable passion for innovation and helping others have been the underpinnings of her success during her undergraduate journey, and these traits will certainly continue to serve her well in her career. We are truly fortunate to have her in the department and look forward to seeing what she will accomplish after graduation.

Undergraduate Student Highlights: Ian Brown

  • October 25th, 2023
photo of Ian Brown

Ian Brown is an outstanding senior in our department. Ian is from Brentwood, Tennessee and came to the Capstone in the Fall of 2020 to pursue a degree in chemical and biological engineering. Throughout high school, Ian excelled in chemistry and loved problem-solving. Hence, chemical engineering was a logical fit for him.

Ian’s passion for the degree encouraged him to join the Randall Research Scholar Program. Through the program, he has been heavily involved in multiple research projects within the department. First, Ian analyzes how functionalizing membranes with different groups and charges enhances their properties. This process contributes to Dr. Stephen Ritchie’s work on bacteria filtration in the dairy industry. Additionally, Ian collaborates on a project in Dr. Ryan Summers’ lab focused on controlling gene expression by introducing naturally found RNA sequences into cells’ genomes.

Ian also has impressive experience in industry. In 2022, he interned at Royal DSM, where he helped find better ways to produce proteins. Specifically, he programmed a machine to identify and separate colonies of bacteria with different properties. This procedure allowed Royal DSM to effectively isolate and test each strain of bacteria and determine which ones would facilitate the greatest yield of protein when used in production.

Ian’s excellence goes far beyond the classroom and lab. He was an inaugural member of the Undergraduate Student Council, which creates a bridge for communication between students and faculty. Additionally, he is an active member of the Church of the Oaks, where he teaches Sunday School. These activities exhibit Ian’s remarkable selflessness and commitment towards making a positive impact on others. Ian’s drive, love of service, and aptitude for innovation make him a truly great student and person, and we are proud to have him in our department.

Undergraduate Student Highlights: Lauren Birschbach

  • October 25th, 2023
photo of Lauren Birschbach

Lauren Birschbach is an exemplary undergraduate student in our department. In high school, Lauren developed a love for chemistry, math, and problem-solving and wanted to find a major that would allow her to apply the skills from those disciplines collectively. Subsequently, she was drawn to chemical and biological engineering due to the field’s broad applications and innovative nature.

During her time at the Capstone, Lauren has gained valuable experience in industry through the university’s Cooperative Education (Co-op) program. Lauren spent three semesters working for Nouryon at a couple of their plants in the Southeast. There, she played a major role in designing a new water-testing regiment by determining the frequency at which tests should occur and talking to operators about how the process should be changed in various circumstances to ensure water quality. Additionally, Lauren carried out comprehensive mass balances for the plants.

On campus, Lauren is a true leader. In the Fall of 2021, she was recruited by Dr. Turner to start the Undergraduate Student Council (USC). Since then, she has grown the organization significantly and established a meaningful network that connects students and faculty. Now, as president, she is taking the initiative to get other students more involved in the department to make the curriculum as representative as possible.

Lauren is extraordinarily proud to be part of the department. Her professors’ passion and willingness to invest in the growth of their students motivates her to come to class every day. Furthermore, she enjoys the projects they incorporate into classes as they give her the chance to learn from other students and study problems relevant to the real-world. Altogether, she believes the department has created a collaborative and innovative culture that will serve her well after graduation, and she looks forward to the next step in her journey.

Graduate Student Highlights: Elizabeth Bury

  • September 11th, 2023
Elizabeth Bury

For the last six years, Elizabeth Bury has exemplified what it means to be an outstanding student at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Elizabeth came to campus as a chemical engineering student in 2017 and quickly became involved with the department and greater campus community. In 2018, she emailed Dr. Amanda Koh, who was an incoming professor at the time, regarding opportunities in her research lab. Elizabeth was immediately fascinated by Dr. Koh’s work with liquid metal, specifically the gallium-based liquid metal alloy galinstan, and efforts to develop new composite materials. In Elizabeth’s words, these subjects seemed “very sci-fi” but her interest in engineering research compelled her to get involved in undergraduate research.

As an inaugural member of the Koh Lab, Elizabeth studied the impact of different mineral oil ratios on the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer known as Styrene-Ethylene-Butylene-Styrene (SEBS). Elizabeth discovered that different ratios of mineral oil impact the mechanical and thermal behavior of SEBS, and documented her findings in her first research paper, which she prepared in just six weeks. Despite her impressive research experience as an undergraduate student, Elizabeth did not initially plan on attending grad school. However, over time she fell in love with her research, its interdisciplinary nature, and developed a close sense of collegiality with Dr. Koh and other students with whom she worked. Hence, after earning her B.S. in Chemical Engineering in December of 2020, Elizabeth decided to continue her educational journey at the Capstone.

In graduate school, she has played an instrumental role on multiple projects related to dielectric components and the characterization of polymer composites with liquid metal. For her, research has become a true passion. Although it can be trying at times, Elizabeth loves the sense of discovery and innovation her work encompasses and is obsessed with trying to push her findings forward through trial and error. This passion was rewarded when Elizabeth received the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in 2021. This fellowship has allowed Elizabeth to focus even more on her research. Hence, with more freedom and flexibility than ever, Elizabeth is excited to see what she will accomplish next.

 

Undergraduate Student Highlights: Jenna Groeber

  • September 11th, 2023

Jenna Groeber’s academic career at the Capstone reflect the uniquity, intersectionality, and innovativeness that are the bedrock of any great scholar. Jenna began studying chemical engineering in the Fall Semester of 2020. However, as part of the STEM Path to the MBA Program, she also participated in exclusive courses where she learned how to build businesses around innovation. Lastly, she has been an active participate in undergraduate research. Despite this diverse array of responsibilities, Jenna has excelled in her studies and cemented herself as a truly remarkable student.

Jenna’s research has been a large part of the ChBE department’s work related to greenhouse gases. In the lab, Jenna has studied scholarly journals on microporous zeolites and independently synthesized more of these compounds. Ultimately, the zeolites could provide an effective means for absorbing carbon dioxide, which is generated by jets and other aircraft, thus reducing atmospheric emissions. In addition to her work in the lab, Jenna has used her business acumen to facilitate other areas of the ChBE department’s research operations. She recently accepted UA’s Early Career Research Administration (ECRA) Fellowship. Through the fellowship, Jenna will help UA’s Office of Sponsored Programs develop proposals and budgets for research projects and ensure that important regulations are observed in labs across campus.

Jenna’s impact on the university goes beyond its classroom and labs. She is an active participant in several student organizations, including the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Additionally, she belongs to the Alabama chapter of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and Theta Tau Professional Engineering fraternity. Through these groups, Jenna has been able to enrich her education and make a positive impact on communities greater than herself. These experiences leverage Jenna’s appreciation for collaboration. She holds her peers, research partners, and professors in high regard and values learning as a shared experience. Consequently, her approach strongly resonates with the ChBE department’s emphasis on group projects and other interactive elements of the curriculum. Altogether, this passion for working with others has allowed Jenna to maximize her potential while also bringing out the best in those around her.

As Jenna enters the fourth year of her studies, she is set to enter the Graduate School MBA Program at UA. She is also poised to graduate with her B.S. in chemical engineering in May 2024. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and passion for her work have been the driving factors behind these accomplishments and will continue to serve her well in the future.

Undergraduate Student Highlights: Gina Lusvardi

  • September 11th, 2023
Gina Lusvardi

Since arriving on campus in the Fall of 2020, Gina Lusvardi has been an exemplary student, researcher, and leader in the ChBE department. At every stage in her educational journey, Gina has shown uncompromising determination and passion. These traits have allowed her to consistently earn high marks despite the rigor of her classes, as she has been on the President’s List every semester. Gina was also recognized as an outstanding sophomore in the ChBE department in 2022 and as an outstanding senior in 2023.

These awards recognize Gina for more than her academic excellence. She has truly taken the initiative to make the most of her education and leave a mark on the ChBE department and the greater campus community. In her first semester, Gina joined the Materials Engineering and Nanosensor (MEAN) Laboratory. As part of her responsibilities within the lab, she conducted research on electrospun nanofibers to detect the presence of trihalomethane (THM) in water, and she modified various polymeric sensors. Gina considers this experience to be extremely valuable, as it taught her new skills and supplemented her education in the classroom with hands-on practice. Gina is also an active participant in several student organizations on campus. Since 2021, she has been an editor for the Journal of Science & Health at The University of Alabama, and in 2022 she was inducted into the Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honors Society. Additionally, she is a member of the Alabama chapter of Alpha Omega Epsilon, a sorority dedicated towards the advancement of female engineers. Lastly, she mentors young girls interested in STEM. All these activities reflect Gina’s enthusiasm and selflessness. She is a student who truly loves what she learns and what she does, and she is eager to share her experience with others.

In May of 2023, Gina graduated summa cum laude with her B.S. in chemical engineering. However, this was not the end of her studies by any means. This summer, she was one of seven students from the department who participated in the Innovative Macromolecular and Polymer Research Experience (IMPRESS) program in San Sebastián, Spain. During the eight-week program, she explored the country while performing research on polymeric ion pumps. She is incredibly grateful for the program, which broadened her horizons, both culturally and academically. Now she is set to return to the Capstone for another two years to pursue her Master’s degree.

Graduate Student Highlight: Katie O’Harra

  • June 8th, 2023
student working with vials in a lab

Katie conducted innovative research on ionic polymers during her time as a grad student.

For Kathryn (Katie) O’Harra, attending graduate school greatly benefited her, both academically and professionally. After studying polymers as an undergraduate student, she knew she wanted to pursue a career based in academics and research so that she could have the opportunity to be at the forefront of important innovations. Hence, she decided to pursue her Ph.D.

Katie’s research as a grad student enabled her to work independently, explore new information, and execute complex projects. Unlike her experience as an undergrad, she found herself applying skills in dynamic contexts to solve interdisciplinary problems and drive the development of new ideas and products. For example, Katie developed new material classes such as ionic polymers and played a role in the design of self-healing materials. Thus, through grad school, Katie had exciting opportunities to independently discover innovative technologies rather than just apply well-known engineering solutions.

Studying in graduate school yielded clear professional and academic advantages for Katie. She presented her work at numerous national and international events through which she made impressive connections with businesses like 3M, as well as professors at prominent universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Lastly, her research allowed her to stand out in the field, leading to numerous awards and recognitions* that have benefited her visibility in both academia and industry.

Currently, Dr. O’Harra is an Assistant Professor in the UA Honors College and holds an Adjunct Professor appointment in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Most recently, she was awarded a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study gas transport in ionic liquid membranes at different length scales.

Katie O’Harra Awards*

  • Elias Klein Travel Award (North American Membrane Society Annual Meeting, June 2018)
  • 3-Minute-Thesis (3MT) Semi-Finalist (University of Alabama, 2018 and 2019)
  • 1st Place in Gas Separations Category (NAMS Student Poster Competition, June 2018)
  • 1st Place Springer Award for Oral Presentation [selected from PhD students/postdocs] (ILMAT 5, Nov. 2019)
  • Recognition & Oral Presentation within “Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research” Symposium (ACS National Meeting, March 2020)
  • 2020 Women in Chemical Engineering (WIC) Travel Award (AIChE Annual Meeting, Nov. 2020)
  • Selected as Speaker/Panelist for “Soft Matter for All: Celebrating Diversity and Creativity in Soft Matter Symposium” (Princeton/UDel, Oct. 2020)
  • Recipient of Engineering Council of Birmingham (ECOB) Graduate Engineering Student of the Year Award (Feb. 2021)
  • 2021 3M Raising Influence in Science & Engineering (RISE) Invited Research and Professional Development Symposium (June 2021)
  • 2021 DSM Bright Science Award Finalist, Competition/Presentations in Award Symposium at ACS Conf. (August 2021)
  • MIT Chemical Engineering Rising Stars Workshop, Invited Participant/Presenter (Sept. 2021)
  • 2021 AIChE Annual “Excellence in Graduate Student Research” Session – Selected as Speaker/Presenter (Oct. 2021)
  • 2021-2022 College of Engineering Overall Graduate Student of the Year, University of Alabama (February 2022)
  • 2021-2022 Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award, University of Alabama Premier Award (March 2022

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