Davidson School of Chemical Engineering graduate student Mihit Parekh is the recipient of the 2020 Chemical Engineering Excellence in Safety Award. This award recognizes a graduate student who excels in maintaining and improving safety practices for the School. Parekh has been a member of the Chemical Engineering Safety Committee since August 2019 and is currently in the ViPER research group advised by Chemical Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Vilas Pol.

Dr. Bryan Boudouris, the Robert and Sally Weist Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University, will receive the 2020 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Materials Engineering & Sciences Division (MESD) Owens Corning Early Career Award for significant advances in the design, synthesis, engineering, and application of radical-containing materials and open-shell macromolecules and their implementation in myriad next-generation device platforms.

Two 2020 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowships were recently awarded to Purdue University Davidson School of Chemical Engineering graduating senior Takashi Yokokura and 2018 ChE alumna Ana Carneiro. The 2020 NSF GRFP awards were announced in late March.

Davidson School of Chemical Engineering Professor You-Yeon Won is leading research to use nanoparticles to maximize the efficacy of the chemo drugs in the tumor and minimize the effects on normal tissue. "Precision medicine solutions such as our innovation for combined chemo and radiation therapy will play an increasing role in treating cancer and other diseases, through their ability to exactly target patient ailments for better outcomes, reduced side effects, and improved quality of life," explains Dr. Won.

Davidson School of Chemical Engineering undergraduate Natalie K. Zamiechowski will be recognized during the 2020 Purdue University commencement as a recipient of the Amelia Earhart Scholarship. The Amelia Earhart Scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior with a minimum 3.2 grade point average who demonstrates leadership, determination, ability and potential in academic and/or community activities. Natalie is a rising junior from Park Ridge, Illinois and plans to graduate in 2022.