Rice University Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

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Rice University Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

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We are dedicated to excellence in research and education. To learn more, visit chbe.rice.edu. Conte

10/06/2026

🎙️ Science, career advice and a quest to land Matt Damon as a guest — welcome to PodCAT!

Rice ChBE’s Thomas Senftle is helping bring the conversations of the catalysis community beyond the conference room as a co-host of PodCAT, a podcast featuring candid discussions with researchers about their science, careers and experiences in academia.

With more than 60 episodes, PodCAT gives graduate students, postdocs and researchers a chance to hear the kinds of stories and advice that don’t always make it into a journal article — from research breakthroughs and career paths to failed proposals, mentorship and more.

Learn more about Tom, PodCAT and the story behind the mic: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/catalytic-confessions-and-quest-matt-damon-podcat-puts-science-mic

09/30/2026

Congratulations to Rice ChBE graduate student Chase Sellers on successfully defending his thesis this week! 🎓👏

Chase presented his research, “Connecting Oxide Stability and Adsorption through Atomistic Modeling and Interpretable Machine Learning” marking an exciting milestone in his graduate journey at Rice.

Please join us in congratulating Chase on this outstanding achievement and celebrating all the hard work that led to this moment!

09/29/2026

Congratulations to Rice ChBE’s Walter Chapman, who has been elected a Fellow of AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the organization’s highest grade of membership.

The honor recognizes Chapman’s more than three decades of contributions to chemical engineering research, education and mentorship at Rice University.

From advancing molecular modeling approaches used across industry and academia to mentoring more than 50 graduate students, Chapman’s impact extends well beyond the lab.

“I am proud that our research has had such a broad impact across industry and academia, but the greatest product of academia is our students — both undergraduate and graduate — and I am most proud to have contributed to the success they have enjoyed,” Chapman said.

Read more about Chapman’s career and this recognition: https://chbe.rice.edu/news/walter-chapman-elected-fellow-american-institute-chemical-engineers

09/25/2026

Join us for the next seminar in our 2026–2027 Seminar Series!

On Thursday, Oct. 1, Ralm Ricarte will present “Linear Viscoelasticity and Phase Behavior of Polystyrene Vitrimers.”

The seminar will explore how molecular structure and cross-linking influence polymer flow, relaxation and phase behavior in vitrimers — dynamic polymer networks that offer both durability and the ability to be reprocessed. The research provides insights that could help advance the design of more sustainable polymer materials.

📅 Thursday, Oct. 1
⏰ 2:30–3:30 p.m.
📍 Duncan Hall, Room 1055

We hope to see you there!

09/23/2026

Rice Chemical Engineering is No. 26 in the nation and No. 10 among private universities for undergraduate chemical engineering programs in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings!

We’re proud to see Rice ChBE recognized among the nation’s leading programs and grateful to the students, faculty, staff and alumni who make our community what it is.

09/22/2026

A surprising phase transition could open new possibilities for highly ordered materials.

New research from Rice University shows that an organic semiconductor can transform from a liquid crystal into a solid crystal through a rapid, coordinated process resembling a Martensitic transformation — a phenomenon traditionally associated with metals and other solid materials.

The discovery could offer a new approach to producing highly ordered organic semiconductor crystals for applications including flexible electronics and transistors.

Rice ChBE’s Matteo Pasquali is a co-author of the study.

“What was exciting to us was seeing how much of the molecular organization in the liquid crystal could survive as the material became a solid,” Pasquali said. “It suggests that we may be able to use the structure that already exists in a liquid crystal as a kind of blueprint for building highly ordered crystalline materials.”

The research was conducted by collaborators across Rice’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Department of Chemistry and the Smalley-Curl Institute at Rice University.

Read more about the discovery: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/liquid-crystal-takes-page-steel-surprising-phase-transition

09/01/2026

For George Hirasaki, Rice has been a constant throughout a remarkable career spanning industry, research, teaching and mentorship.

The A.J. Hartsook Professor Emeritus and research professor reflects on his decades long connection to Rice ChBE, the discoveries that shaped his career and his commitment to supporting the next generation of engineers.

Read more about Hirasaki’s lasting legacy at Rice:
https://chbe.rice.edu/news/lifetime-discovery-and-mentorship-george-hirasakis-rice-legacy

08/26/2026

We’re kicking off a new semester of the Rice ChBE Seminar Series!

Join us Thursday, Sept. 3, as Davide Cavuto presents his work on innovative CVD reactor design and carbon nanotube synthesis.

📅 Sept. 3 | 2:30–3:30 p.m.
📍 Duncan Hall, Room 1055

We hope to see you there!

07/08/2026

Strong academic programs are built on exceptional leadership.

We're excited to recognize the faculty members taking on new leadership roles in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering for the 2026–2027 academic year. Please join us in congratulating:

👏Walter Chapman – Director of Undergraduate Studies
👏Lucas Camargo - Associate Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies
👏Rafael Verduzco – Director of Graduate Studies
👏Tom Senftle – Graduate Admissions Chair
👏Marya Cokar, PhD., P.Eng., CPEM. – Master of Chemical Engineering (MCHE) Program Director
👏Michael Wong– Co-Director, METS

These appointments reflect our department's continued commitment to providing outstanding mentorship, innovative education and an exceptional student experience at every level.

Congratulations to each of these faculty leaders as they help shape the future of Rice Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

Read more about these appointments: https://chbe.rice.edu/news/rice-chemical-and-biomolecular-engineering-announces-academic-leadership-appointments-2026

07/07/2026

Not every engineering career begins in a lab — sometimes it starts behind the wheel of a 27-foot-long hot dog.

Congratulations to Rice Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering alum Taylor Schultz, who was selected as one of just 12 recent graduates nationwide to become an official Oscar Mayer "Hotdogger," driving the iconic Wienermobile across the country.

Taylor's journey is a reminder that a ChBE education opens doors to countless paths. By combining leadership, creativity and problem-solving, she's turning an unconventional opportunity into an exciting career adventure.

We're proud to see our alumni making an impact in unexpected and inspiring ways. Congratulations, Taylor! 🌭🎉

Read her story: https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/rice-graduate-lands-coveted-role-driving-oscar-mayer-wienermobile

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Houston, TX
77005

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http://chbe.rice.edu/

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