This award is the highest "industrial" recognition bestowed upon its members by AIChE, the professional organization of 55,000 chemical engineers. Lisa is not only the youngest member to have received it, but also the first woman in the 38 year history of this award.

Her citation reads"  … For her far-reaching contributions and leadership in  chemical and pharmaceutical engineering, especially for the development of targeted drug delivery products to the vascular system and breast cancer cells, for her seminal fundamental contributions to biomaterials, and for her leadership in chemical and biomedical engineering.”

Lisa was nominated by her former PhD classmate (at Purdue) and now Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University, Tony Mikos.