The approval and establishment of the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering’s first ever named research area – the Dr. Norman and Jane Li Chemical Engineering Separations Area – marked a momentous time in history for both the Li Family Charitable Foundation and Purdue Chemical Engineering. 

The dedication of the Dr. Norman and Jane Li Chemical Engineering Separations Area took place on Friday, April 14^th, 2023, in the Robert T. Henson Atrium in Forney Hall. Purdue faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Li Family Charitable Foundation gathered to celebrate the newly named research area honoring Drs. Norman and Jane Li.  During the dedication, the Li Family Charitable Foundation was also presented the President’s Council Distinguished Pinnacle Award.  The Pinnacle Award is the highest honor presented on behalf of the Purdue President’s Council to those who have made contributions of $1M or more. 

On December 2^nd, 2022, the Purdue University Board of Trustees approved the Dr. Norman and Dr. Jane Li Chemical Engineering Separations Research Area due to a leadership-level gift from the Li Family Charitable Foundation.  The Li Family Charitable foundation strives to support emerging science and technology initiatives, while empowering the next generation of leaders. This gift will support the education and research of Purdue University chemical engineering students and faculty members, specifically in the area of separations. An additional donation from the Li Family Charitable Foundation will support of the University’s focus on enhancing semiconductor education.

“The Davidson School of Chemical Engineering is humbled by the generosity of the Li Family Charitable Foundation,” said Dr. Sangtae Kim, Head of the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering.  “It is a great privilege to be chosen as the recipient of the first grant from the foundation. Dr. Norman Li is considered as one of the world’s leading experts in separations and this named research area will bring greater support and recognition to the outstanding work of our faculty and students.”

Dr. Norman Li is an internationally renowned scientist with over six decades of experience in the chemical and energy industries. He is a member of three of the most prestigious science and engineering academies, the US National Academy of Engineering, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Academia Sinica in Taiwan. Dr. Li holds 45 US patents, has published over 100 technical papers, and has edited 20 books, all in the field of separation science and technology.

Dr. Jane Li is an accomplished chemical industry executive and renowned Six Sigma expert. Dr. Li held various leadership roles at Exxon and Honeywell UOP for two decades. Under her leadership at UOP, the Six Sigma initiative grew from manufacturing R&D to business processes throughout the company. 

Together, Drs. Norman and Jane Li launched the NL Chemical Technology, a company that focuses on developing, commercializing, and licensing advanced membrane technology for water purification to provide clean water to remote areas of the world. 

To honor their parents, David Li (BS ChE ’94) and his sister Rebecca, worked with other members of the foundation to make this commitment for their steadfast support of the family and their global impact on separations technologies. David Li recently retired as the President and CEO of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (CMC) Materials, a global materials supplier to the semiconductor industry. David received Purdue’s 2017 Outstanding Chemical Engineering award and the 2023 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award.

Dr. Rebecca Li is the CEO of Vivli and on faculty at the Center for Bioethics at the Harvard Medical School. She has over 25 years of experience spanning the entire drug development process with experience in Biotech, Pharma and CRO environments.

 "On behalf of the Li Family Charitable Foundation, I am honored to bestow this gift to the University," said David Li, a proud Boilermaker and graduate of the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. "We believe Purdue, as one of the leading engineering schools globally, was the perfect choice to honor my parents and their legacy of achievement in the area of separations research."

Read more about the Li Family Charitable Foundation at: https://www.lifamilycf.org/