April 26, 2018

Several Chemical Engineering graduate students were recently honored for their excellence in research, teaching, and service in 2017-2018. The following students were recognized by Purdue University:

The Bilsland Fellowship was awarded to three graduate students, Scott McClary (advised by Dr. Rakesh Agrawal), Ishant Khurana (advised by Dr. Fabio Ribeiro), and Ryan Adams (co-advised by Dr. Arvind Varma and Dr. Vilas Pol).

Two graduate students also earned recognition for their excellence in research. Charles Hages and James Harris received the Citation Award from the School. Each year this award honors outstanding achievement by Chemical Engineering graduate students who were the lead author on an article published within the last two years that was cited the most times. Hages was advised by Dr. Rakesh Agrawal and Harris was co-advised by Dr. Fabio Ribeiro and Dr. Rajamani Gounder.

Trevor Lardinois was selected as the recipient of the Teaching Academy Graduate Teaching Award for Chemical Engineering. He was among the top ranked Graduate Teaching Assistants as surveyed by ChE undergraduate students and was then selected by the Graduate Awards Committee as the nominee for the School of Chemical Engineering. Lardinois is co-advised by Dr. Fabio Ribeiro and Dr. Rajamani Gounder. He was honored on April 24 at the 20th Annual Celebration of Graduate Teaching Excellence, hosted by the Office of the Provost, Purdue Teaching Academy, Purdue Graduate School and Center for Instructional Excellence.

James Harris earned the Graduate Teacher Certificate, as awarded by Purdue University during the 20th Annual Celebration of Graduate Teaching Excellence on April 24. Harris is co-advised by Dr. Fabio Ribeiro and Dr. Rajamani Gounder.

Kyle Weideman received the Centennial Award. The Centennial Fellowship was established in 2011, on the occasion of our School celebrating 100 years since it was established by the Purdue Board of Trustees. This is a highly prestigious award, and is given annually to a first year Chemical Engineering graduate student based on outstanding academic merit. Weideman is advised by Dr. Rakesh Agrawal.

John Di Iorio was awarded the Faculty Lectureship Award. This award honors outstanding achievement in scholarly research and publication by a Purdue Chemical Engineering graduate student. Di Iorio is advised by Dr. Rajamani Gounder.

Claire Kilmer and Andrew Parker are recipients of the Magoon Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes outstanding teaching assistants and instructors through funds generated by a trust established by Estes H. and Vashti L. Magoon. Kilmer is advised by Dr. Julie Liu; Parker is advised by Dr. Stephen Beaudoin.

Claire Nimlos is the recipient of the College of Engineering Outstanding Service Scholarship. This award honors a graduate student who has contributed over time to the quality, reputation and success of the graduate student community in the School, College or University. Nimlos is advised by Dr. Rajamani Gounder.

Ishant Khurana is the recipient of the College of Engineering Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in research through peer-reviewed publications, awards for research, leadership, academic achievement and participation in professional societies. Khurana is advised by Dr. Fabio Ribeiro.

Claire Kilmer was awarded the Marilyn Forney Trailblazer Award. In 2014, the Marilyn Forney Trailblazer Award was established to recognize an outstanding female student whose impact has helped pave the way for women in the field of engineering. The award is based on contribution and participation in the Women in Engineering Program, Women in Chemical Engineering Seminar, and leadership & service efforts within these programs throughout their academic journey. Kilmer is advised by Dr. Julie Liu. 

Additional awards include:

Nicolae Iovanac has been selected to receive a National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship as part of the 2018 NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). Iovanac is advised by Dr. Brett Savoie.

Wooram Kang received two external recognitions: Hanwha Travel Grant Award and CRE Division Graduate Travel Award. Kang is advised by Dr. Arvind Varma.