September 29, 2022

Purdue ECE dedicates Chiminski Collaborative Research Hub

Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering today (Sept. 29) celebrated the completion of new, cutting-edge research space.
laura chiminski, purdue pete, and john chiminski in the new collaborative research hub
Laura Chiminski, Purdue Pete, and John Chiminski (MSEE 1987) enjoying the new Chiminski Family Collaborative Research Hub

Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering today (Sept. 29) celebrated the completion of new, cutting-edge research space. The Chiminski Family Collaborative Research Hub is located on the second floor of the Materials and Electrical Engineering Building (MSEE). It was made possible by a generous gift from alumnus John R. Chiminski and his wife Laura A. Chiminski.

"Laura and I are thrilled to enhance the research and collaboration experience of future generations of engineering students at Purdue," said John Chiminski. "I’ve had the honor of chairing the School’s advisory board for the last decade, and continue to be impressed by the quality of this program and many accomplishments of our graduates around the world."

Dimitrios Peroulis, the Michael and Katherine Birck Head of ECE said the School is grateful to John and Laura Chiminski for investing in Purdue ECE’s people and facilities.

“I have had numerous opportunities to observe his selfless passion and support for our students during his time as chair of the ECE Advisory Board. Now, John’s and Laura’s vision and generosity have created yet one more unique opportunity for our School,” said Peroulis. “We are confident that this multi-purpose and flexible research space will be a key enabler for our students, their research and learning activities, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

The renovated area includes high quality, flexible work space for graduate students in multiple disciplines of ECE to work together; a project demonstration and poster presentation space surrounded by floor to ceiling glass to showcase Purdue ECE latest technologies, open to visitors to have hands-on experiences; and a modern 10-person meeting room with an open and transparent setting. The design of the space expresses the School’s core research values, and creates spaces conducive to innovation and collaboration, and spaces for communities to gather.

john chiminski speaking at the dedication event held in the maw w brown atrium in msee
John Chiminski speaking at the dedication event held on September 29 in the Max W Brown Atrium in MSEE

"This gift is a significant investment in Purdue Engineering and its emphasis on collaborative learning,” said Mark Lundstrom, interim dean of the College of Engineering and the Don and Carol Scifres Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “Thanks to the Chiminskis' philanthropic spirit, our graduate students will have state-of-the-art, spacious areas conducive to creativity and discovery."

John Chiminski earned his MSEE from Purdue University in 1987. He is currently executive chair of the board of Catalent, a global provider of drug delivery technology and development solutions for drugs, biologics, and consumer health products. Chiminski joined Catalent after more than 20 years of service in engineering, operations, and senior leadership roles at GE Healthcare. In addition to his Purdue degree, Chiminski earned a BS in electrical engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He has served as a director of Berkeley Lights Inc. since May 2021. At Purdue, he serves on the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Council, holding the position of chair since 2016. Previously, Chiminski served as a trustee for the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey and as a director at DJO Global. He has received both the Distinguished Engineering Alumni (DEA) award and the Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineering (OECE) award from Purdue. He and his wife, Laura, have three children: Genevieve, Christopher (BSCmpE ‘20), and Claudine.

To view more photos from the event, check out our Flickr album.

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