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2007 Fall

Introducing new Chemical Engineering faculty members, Andreas Heyden and Jay Blanchette

The department is glad to welcome two new faculty members: Andreas Heyden and Jay Blanchette.

Dr. Heyden was previously in a postdoctoral position at the University of Minnesota after completintg his PhD at the Hamburg University of Technology.  He will be conducting research in nanomaterial science and catalysis.  The primary goal of his research is to use computer simulations to obtain a deeper, molecular understanding of the self-assembly process in catalyst synthesis and the structure-performance relationship of heterogeneous catalysts. The goal of this research is to elucidate the physical effects that must be considered for the design and production of highly selective heterogeneous catalysts with a long lifetime.

Dr. Blanchette was in a postdoctoral position with Kristi Anseth at the University of Colorado.  His doctoral work was completed at the University of Texas.  He will be studying the use of biosynthetic hybrids (living tissue with synthetic materials) for sustained and responsive delivery of therapeutic agents. Blanchette's research interests include intracellular signaling, cell-material interactions and genetic engineering. Specific applications for this research include diabetes and cancer. 

Davis' desalination technology licensed by Dow

The research professor of chemical engineering has formed a corporation and signed an exclusive deal to let Dow Chemical commercialize his new desalination process. Davis has formed ZDD Inc., named for his Zero Discharge Desalination technology, with a USC alumnus, and is awaiting patent approval on his process -- which would give him 14 patents for products or technology. More

2007 Spring

Introducing new Chemical Engineering faculty member, Christine Curtis

Christine Curtis has begun work as vice provost for faculty development - one of the two new appointments that comprise part of the reorganization of the USC Provost's Office.

Curtis, who came to USC from Auburn University where she was a professor of chemical engineering, will have responsibility for all matters relating to faculty development, including coordinating tenure and promotion and post-tenure review. In addition, she will supervise endowed chairs, named professorships, and sabbaticals. She has responsibility for the Center for Teaching Excellence, and will oversee the Faculty Excellence Initiative, the effort to hire 150 new tenured and tenure-track faculty members at the Columbia campus.

"We needed someone to help steer development of the faculty workforce and Christine Curtis is eminently experienced in that area," said William T. "Ted" Moore, vice provost for academic affairs. "She will serve as the go-to person for virtually any matter pertaining to the faculty."

Moore said the reorganization was in response to the unprecedented growth in size of the University's faculty, the new kind of faculty who will be joining USC in the coming years, and the desire to make the provost's office more efficient and responsive to the needs of faculty.

2006 NSF - REU Program

The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina is pleased to announce their Summer Research Fellowship Program for 2006. These fellowships are sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. Summer Fellows will have the opportunity to conduct research in an academic setting under the direction of one of our 18 full-time faculty members. Emphasis will be placed on using state-of-the-art experimental and computational facilities. Special events such as seminars, workshops, visits to local industries, and socials are planned throughout the summer.

2006 NSF - REU Japan Program

The Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of South Carolina (USC) is proud to announce their international REU site, based in Japan, for the Fall Semester, 2006.  This program is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF).  Participants will have the opportunity to experience international research, as well as broaden their technical, cultural, and social horizons.  For more information about this program, please visit the REU page and click on ‘Japan.’