Impact

Following are stories about seasoned chemical engineers, students who aspire to be chemical engineers, and people who inspire chemical engineers. Plus, see updates about the AIChE foundation and its progress.

Where Are They Now: A Check-In with Past 35 Under 35 Awardees

Four standout chemical engineers—Abhishek Kar, Shelby Mills, Danielle Mai, and Sujit Datta—reflect on their journeys since receiving AIChE’s 35 Under 35 Award. From advancing sustainability and biomaterials to leading in pharma and energy, each honoree continues to shape the future of the profession. Now, as supporters of the newly launched 35 Under 35 Award Endowment, they’re helping ensure the next generation of rising stars is recognized, empowered, and inspired.

Massachusetts Hydrovolt Student Team Wins Second Place at the 2025 CEF National Challenge Competition

In June, the Chemistry Education Foundation (CEF) held its annual National Challenge Competition, Dinner and Awards Ceremony events in Houston, where year’s finalists each developed a sustainable solution to a local natural hazard that ensures community safety. Among the three finalists were the AIChE Foundation-sponsored Hydrovolt Team from Massachusetts, were recognized for creating a sustainable rechargeable battery alternative.

Doing a World of Good: Safety and Ethical Practice for Undergraduate ChEs

Launched nearly a decade ago, UPSLI offered undergraduate chemical engineers and faculty access to a better understanding of process through a mix of online certification coursework and in person workshops. Now, AdvanSix, BASF and LyondellBasell bring student bootcamps to three more universities later this year.

Establishing the 35 Under 35 Award Endowment

A conversation sparked immediate action to secure the future of AIChE’s 35 Under 35 Award, a program honoring rising stars in chemical engineering. At the 2025 Spring Meeting, AIChE Board member Jean Tom became the inaugural donor to the newly launched 35 Under 35 Award Endowment, quickly rallying others to join her. With a $50,000 fundraising goal now underway, this effort ensures that the next generation of leaders will be recognized and celebrated for years to come.

Partnering for Progress: The AIChE Foundation Grants Committee in Action

The AIChE Foundation’s Doing a World of Good Grants Committee supports impactful, member-led projects aligned with AIChE’s goals. Over the past 20 years, nearly $2 million has been awarded. At the 2025 Spring Meeting, Kevin Fogash highlighted improvements, including a new grant proposal form. With the May 1st deadline near, the committee eagerly anticipates the next round of proposals.







Celebrating 10 Years of DAWG: Endowments and Peer-Led Fundraising Efforts

The AIChE Foundation’s endowment efforts are made possible by the leadership of dedicated volunteer fundraisers. In 2024, we reached our $50K goal to endow the Fellows Fund and expand the K-12 STEM Ambassador Program—building on past successes like the nearly $2 million Langer Prize—thanks to the peer champions whose passion drives lasting impact.

Janice Lumpkin Travel Award: Engaging Underrepresented Voices in ChemE

The AIChE Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) has launched a fundraising campaign for the Janice Lumpkin Travel Award, thanks to an initial gift from Jessica Winter. Named in honor of Dr. Janice Lumpkin, the award provides travel stipends and registration support for underrepresented students attending the AIChE Annual Meeting. With nearly 50% of the $25,000 goal already committed, MAC invites the community to contribute and continue Dr. Lumpkin’s legacy of inclusion and opportunity in chemical engineering.

Celebrating 10 Years of DAWG: FOSSI

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the AIChE Foundation’s Doing a World of Good campaign, we highlight one of its most impactful initiatives—the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI). Launched in 2020, FOSSI has provided life-changing opportunities for more than 800 scholars attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With the support of over 80 sponsors and $40 million in funding, FOSSI is shaping the next generation of STEM leaders

The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) Pays a Visit to Rattler Nation

On February 12, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) touched down in Tallahassee, Florida to pay a visit to Florida A&M University (FAMU), home to 40 FOSSI scholars.

The FOSSI team along with scholars, FOSSI sponsors, and FAMU faculty gathered on campus at the Hansel Tookes Student Recreation Center for networking, lunch, and a lively program, including special recognition of the first FOSSI college graduate

Celebrating 10 Years of Doing a World of Good

Celebrating 10 years of Doing a World of Good, the AIChE Foundation has expanded opportunities, strengthened communities, and driven lasting impact across chemical engineering. Join us in shaping the future.

2024 AIChE Gala: Inspiring the Power of Good

The 2024 AIChE® Gala, "Inspiring the Power of Good," honored companies and their leaders for addressing societal challenges and enhancing human welfare through the safe and responsible application of chemical engineering, while also celebrating the positive societal impact of chemical engineers with the presentation of the Doing a World of Good medal.

Celebrating Excellence: The Inaugural Lance R. Collins MAC Scholar

The inaugural Lance R. Collins MAC Scholar Award has been awarded to Michael Amaya-Daniel, a senior at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Honoring outstanding achievement and potential among underrepresented chemical engineering students, the award highlights Michael’s dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and advancing diversity in the profession.

Fully Endowed Fellows Fund Fuels K-12 STEM Outreach

Through the incredible generosity of the AIChE Fellows community, over $50,000 has been endowed to expand the K-12 STEM Ambassador Program. Part of the Bee a ChemE initiative, this program has already reached over 300 students and will now extend to an eighth school, empowering underserved communities and inspiring the next generation of innovators. This milestone highlights the transformative power of collective action in creating a brighter, more inclusive future for chemical engineering.

Impact of Student Programs on the Future of Chemical Engineering

At the 2024 AIChE® Annual Meeting, we met Paola Baldaguez Medina, an inspiring chemical engineering professor. Paola's journey—from an AIChE student member to a faculty advisor—showcases the impact of AIChE’s Student Programs in fostering connections, leadership, and innovation. Supporting the AIChE Foundation’s Student Programs Fund empowers the next generation with career-building experiences, hands-on competitions, and invaluable networking, shaping tomorrow's chemical engineering leaders.

FOSSI Sparkles at HBCU Week College Fair in Orlando

On October 24, 2024, volunteers AIChE, ACC, Eastman, Pfizer, and Univar traveled to the Walt Disney World in Orlando to attend the HBCU Week College Fair and help spread awareness of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) scholarship and the 2025 application.

2024 Fundraiser and Philanthropist of the Year: Truly Doing a World of Good

At this year’s AIChE Annual Meeting, the AIChE Foundation celebrated two standout leaders. Billy Bardin, recognized as Fundraiser of the Year, drove record-breaking participation among AIChE leadership and introduced new strategies boosting fundraising efforts. Kathy Chen, named Philanthropist of the Year, made generous contributions to sustain her late husband John C. Chen’s legacy, supporting young professionals through leadership development programs. Together, their efforts have profoundly advanced the future of chemical engineering.

Celebrate National Estate Planning Awareness Month by Creating a Legacy with AIChE

October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of having an up-to-date estate plan. The AIChE Legacy Society, founded in 2007 by Stan Proctor and Glenn Taylor, enables members to leave lasting legacies supporting the future of chemical engineering. This month, AIChE invites others to consider how their planning can secure the profession’s future for generations.

Presidents Unite: The AIChE Presidents' Challenge to Build a Brighter Future

The AIChE Foundation has launched the Presidents' Challenge, a unique fundraising effort led by current, past, and incoming AIChE presidents to support the Doing a World of Good campaign. Inspired by the upcoming presidential election and national events, the challenge invites former AIChE leaders to make a lasting impact through personal commitments and peer-to-peer outreach.

Advancing Accessibility and Careers: Four New Projects Making a Difference

The second cycle of the 2024 Doing A World of Good Grant Program approved four impactful projects aimed at enhancing education, accessibility, and career development within the chemical engineering community. Supported by the Doing a World of Good Fund, these initiatives will foster inclusivity, inspire future professionals, and provide new learning opportunities that will drive positive change across the profession.

Advancing Chemical Engineering Together: A Year of Collective Success

In the 2024 Fall Newsletter, we celebrate the achievements made through the AIChE Foundation's Doing a World of Good campaign. Thanks to our generous donors, we have continued to push the boundaries of chemical engineering, attract top talent, and foster a diverse and ethical profession. Discover how our collective efforts are shaping the future and making a significant impact.

Make a Will Month: Ensuring Your Legacy with AIChE

During "Make a Will Month," we highlight members like J.R. Deam, who have chosen to include AIChE in their estate plans, ensuring that their passion for chemical engineering continues to support and inspire future generations. Consider how your legacy can make a lasting impact through thoughtful estate planning with AIChE.

FOSSI Partners Score a Hole-in-One for Scholars!

It was a great day for a good cause at the inaugural Swings for STEM golf tournament at the Landsdowne Resort in Leesburg, Va, hosted by the American Chemical Council (ACC) and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), which raised $75K for the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI).

FOSSI Scholars Shine at AIChE Spring Meeting Roundtable

FOSSI (Future of STEM Scholars Initiative) scholars, sponsors and prospective supporters participated in an engaging and informative discussion highlighting the HBCU experience and the benefits and opportunities of the program.

Renowned Leaders Share Insights at Delaware Local Section Event

AIChE Foundation donors, Raj Gupta and Zenaida Otero Gephardt were two of the distinguished guests at the Delaware Valley Local Section’s (DVS) annual CEO Dinner, where lessons on leadership and how to inspire a new generation of chemical engineers were discussed.

Tackling Global Challenges is the Focus of Langer Fellows

Bob Langer continues to inspire, support and mentor by focusing on failure (and how not to let it define you) and making an impact (every time you embrace a challenge it should make the world better). Five Langer Fellows, soon to be six, are doing just that.

Today’s Chen Scholarship Winners are Tomorrow’s Versatile Leaders

Committed to supporting and mentoring the next generation, Dr. John C. Chen's impact on young chemical engineers continues thanks to his wife, Kathy who launched the Chen Endowment for Young Professional Leadership. In only a few years, twelve early career professionals are complementing their technical skills with leadership training, expanding their networks and creating a community where they will achieve their career goals.

Gregory N. Stephanopoulos Endowment Reaches Historic Milestone

In partnership with the AIChE Foundation, an endowment was launched specifically to support the Stephanopoulos Award in Metabolic Engineering, ensuring that one of the founding fathers of metabolic engineering is recognized in perpetuity. Recently, the endowment exceeded its goal by nearly 10%, enabling future awardees to be selected.

FOSSI's Visit to North Carolina A&T State University Sparks Life-Changing Connections

On January 24th, 2024, FOSSI visited the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C.—home to 75 FOSSI scholars. Excitement and energy filled the Deese Ballroom as scholars, over 40 members of 18 FOSSI sponsor companies, and a distinguished group of A&T faculty and administrators came together to meet and network.

Presenting Two Projects Approved for AIChE Foundation Funding: LGBTQ+ & Allies Programming and LatinX in Chemical Engineering

The AIChE Foundation is excited to announce two projects approved for funding as part of the Doing a World of Good Grant Program: LGBTQ+ & Allies Programming and Networking Events and LatinX in Chemical Engineering. These initiatives will connect underrepresented chemical engineer communities and deepen our investment in sustaining AIChE’s programs in alignment with IDEAL.

The Bells are Ringing on Wall Street…for our FOSSI Scholars!

A lucky thirteen FOSSI scholars got the thrill of a lifetime when they were asked to help ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Broadcast on live television, the group gathered on the bell podium with AIChE Executive Director & CEO Darlene Schuster and Dow Senior Vice President John Sampson, to count down to the market close.

Women in Chemical Engineering (WIC) Honors Three Mentorship Awardees

Generous and dedicated, Scott and Karen Love know that investing in today’s female ChEs will advance our profession. Innovation is driven by multi-disciplinary teams which include diverse perspectives and experiences. The Loves’ multi-year donation expanded WIC’s Mentorship Awards from one to three.

Helping Ensure the Future of Chemical Engineering

In 2008, Congress and the National Association of Estate Planners created National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Why is planning for the future so important? Planning creates a foundation of financial security for your family and can help support nonprofit organizations like AIChE, in which you’ve invested your time and talent.

Chasing the ChE Dream – Donations Support Future Innovators

Nearly three years after the passing of Minority Affairs Community co-founder, Henry Brown, nearly 50% of the 2023 Brown Endowment fundraising goal is achieved. Thanks to a dedicated group of individual donors, AIChE’s commitment to engaging and educating minority engineers will continue into the future.

Learn How the AIChE® Foundation is Inspiring Extraordinary

The AIChE Foundation is excited to share our fall 2023 newsletter, which showcases recent milestones and progress we have achieved through our Doing a World of Good campaign. Thanks to the sustained support of our donor community, the Foundation invested in innovative ideas, inspired the next generation of ChE talent, and continues to advance a safe and ethical profession.

Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) Welcomes 2023 Class

On Monday, July 31st, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) celebrated and welcomed 132 new FOSSI scholars at a virtual gathering of 300 students, family, friends, and corporate partners. With the addition of the new class, FOSSI now boasts 430 scholars from 32 states who are enrolled at 42 HBCUs across the country.

2023 Doing a World of Good Campaign Report

The AIChE® Foundation is pleased to share its latest Doing a World of Good campaign report, which recognizes and celebrates the incredible work that the Foundation has accomplished with the sustained support of our donor community.

Manus Bio Matches Gifts to Stephanopoulos Award

To highlight the industrial translation of metabolic engineering, Manus Bio is matching gifts to the Stephanopoulos Award up to a total of $12,500. Your contribution will enable the award to be given in perpetuity, ensuring the recognition of future metabolic engineers.

Summer School's Impact Spans Generations

Recently Summer School for Chemical Engineering Faculty received gifts from donors of very different generations. Why is Summer School so important and what made them choose to contribute?

New FOSSI Donors Help Fuel a Diverse Talent Pipeline for the Future

Now in its third year, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative continues to thrive and grow.

This spring, AbbVie, Air Liquide, Air Products, Arsenal Capital, Fluor, the National Association of Chemical Distributors, Nouryon, Rockwell Automation, Day & Zimmermann, Johnson Controls, and ICL Group joined FOSSI's 60+ partners and numerous individual supporters to give underrepresented students the gifts of an education at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and access to mentoring, leadership development, and internship opportunities at sponsor companies.

Donor Investments Inspire Young AIChE Professionals

Each year, hundreds of AIChE® Foundation donors elect to make unrestricted gifts allowing the Foundation and the Institute to be nimble and responsive. In 2023, a portion of these unrestricted gifts opened the doors of opportunity for historically underrepresented members of the chemical engineering profession to attend conferences and events, providing inspiration as they embark upon their career.

Celebrate 2023 National Volunteer Week with the AIChE® Foundation

The AIChE Foundation is honored to have passionate and dedicated volunteers who offer their time and energy towards supporting our mission to doing a world of good. We encourage all our supporters to maximize their impact and see if they can give back even more with their time with volunteer grants from their companies.

Revitalizing the Brown Endowment for the Next Generation of MAC Scholars

Minority students pursuing chemical engineering have Henry Brown, Gerry Lessells, and Jimmy Wei to thank for the creation of the Minority Affairs Community. Now Henry's legacy continues as a group of Trustees, past and present, take up the helm to revitalize the Brown Endowment. With 20% of our annual goal of $100,000 secured already, we invite you to join us by gifting inspiration to the next generation and introducing them to the bold possibilities that await one in science and engineering.

FOSSI Hits HBCU Campus

On January 18th, the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) hosted its first on-campus visit with 42 FOSSI scholars and 15 corporate sponsors at Howard University campus for lunch and a networking session. This was the first opportunity for in-person interaction between scholars and sponsors, who are eager to attend more of these gatherings in the future.

Double Your Extraordinary Impact

More than $26,000 was received in 2022 in matching gifts at AIChE. With a few minutes of time, you can find out if your company offers a matching gift program and multiply your donation.

AIChE Foundation Thanks You for Imagining Extraordinary

Imagination. Inspiration. Innovation.

These words resonated with more than 6,700 individual and corporate donors across the industry. Each one made an investment in the AIChE Foundation to advance programming around the globe. Thank you.

FOSSI Scholars Take Manhattan

In December, some lucky Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) students were invited to New York to help celebrate the extraordinary work of industry partners.

Monthly Giving Helps Donors Make a Big Impact

Mario and Leeja Eden wanted to make a significant impact and ensure the anonymous $10,000 Summer School Endowment challenge was achieved. They chose to leverage monthly giving to achieve a big impact and support an early-career ChE faculty member.

FOSSI Makes Hundreds of Dreams Come True

The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) brings its magic to the HBCU Week College Fair at Disney, and proudly announces funding for 550 scholarships–more than halfway towards its goal of funding 1,000 scholarships through 2025.

Imagination + Extraordinary Donors = Impact at AIChE

AIChE delivers on our IDEAL promise of equality in chemical engineering. IDEAL stands for inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism, and learning, but it's much more than an acronym at AIChE—it's a commitment.

Accept the Challenge and Send a Teacher to Summer School

An anonymous donor has offered to match the first $10,000 donated to the Summer School Endowment until December 31, 2022. Your investment will send an early-career ChE teacher to summer school where they’ll accelerate their professional development in a week-long immersive program.

Process Engineers Dr. Jill Craven and Dr. Ogochukwu Enekwizu: Doing a World of Good

In this episode, you will hear from two accomplished professional process engineers, Jill Craven and Ogochukwuv (Ogo) Enekwizu. They discuss what led to their careers as process engineers, navigating their respective industries as women and minorities, how AIChE has contributed to their professional growth, and the importance of mentorship in career progression and success. 

The Community of Process Engineers’ Evolution thanks to Scott & Karen Love

When lifetime AIChE philanthropists Scott and Karen Love launched the online community for process engineers in 2018, they hoped it would provide AIChE’s process engineers an arena which recognized their unique role in chemical engineering, the vast diversity of the field and the myriad of problems they solve. Today, it has evolved into a 585 global member community which offers engagement and education.

Doing a World of Good Campaign Annual Report, Engineering the Extraordinary

The AIChE® Foundation is pleased to share the Doing a World of Good campaign annual report, Engineering the Extraordinary. Engineers are involved in extraordinary activities around the world. Read more about how their effort to develop sustainable solutions, create new vaccines and medicines and lead groundbreaking research were accelerated by the campaign’s commitment to its five transformative priorities.

Making an Extraordinary Impact

The AIChE® Foundation is delighted to share how the Doing a World of Good campaign is Making an Extraordinary Impact. You will read stories highlighting the Foundation’s impact across AIChE programming as a result of our dedicated 6,688 donor community’s commitment to advance the profession for all engineers.

You’re invited to Support the Wispelwey Fellowship

For nearly two decades, June Wispelwey’s outstanding leadership at AIChE led to the founding of the Society for Biological Engineering (SBE) and to ensuring the long-term stability of AIChE. The June C. Wispelwey Bio Leadership Fellowship was established to recognize her work and legacy.

A very Special International Women’s Day at Celanese

On March 8, International Women’s Day, Celanese collaborated with AIChE to host a virtual Leadership Workshop for Rising Star Women Engineers. Convening Celanese engineers worldwide on this particular day was a meaningful opportunity to bring valuable and empowering information to those seeking to enhance their engineering careers.

Supporting SBE Student Member Careers

Last spring, the AIChE® Foundation in collaboration with the Institute’s Society for Biological Engineering (SBE) launched the Be the Change matching gift challenge underwritten by Drs. Arindam & Gopa Bose. We had the opportunity to invite SBE student member recipients to share their experiences and gratitude.

All for Good: Engineering for Inclusion Programs continue to Do More Good!

The AIChE Foundation's signature event, Leadership Workshop for Rising Star Women Engineers drew nearly 250 women from both industry and academia. The Rising Star Leadership Workshop for high performing women engineers is a program for early to mid-career women utilizing best practices and leading research on gender to advance professional goals.

Congratulations, Aditya M. Kunjapur, the 2021 Langer Fellow

AIChE presented the 2021 Langer Prize to Aditya M. Kunjapur. Each year, an unrestricted grant of up to $100,000 is awarded to an individual or group of creative early-career researchers to pursue blue sky ideas potentially leading to technical and commercial innovations.

2021 AIChE® Gala, Celebrated the Extraordinary

The 2021 AIChE Gala raised more than $530K! We celebrated the contributions of Moderna and presented AIChE’s Doing a World of Good Medal to fellow founding partners of Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), showcasing the good works of chemical engineers.