Auburn University Department of Chemical Engineering

🎉 Congratulations to Zainab Omodunni Olomowewe and Kate Handel, advised by Dr. Allan David, who have been selected for the 2026 ACS Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholars Recognition Program!

Zainab was recognized for Leadership in Inclusion and Belonging, honoring her work through NOBCChE and Auburn's Graduate Student Council to create opportunities that support student success, foster community, and encourage participation from students of all backgrounds.

Kate was recognized for Leadership in Mentoring, reflecting her dedication to developing the next generation of researchers. Through mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, she has helped others navigate the challenges and rewards of research while inspiring confidence, curiosity, and growth.

Their recognition showcases the kind of leadership that defines Auburn University Chemical Engineering: advancing discovery, investing in people, and creating lasting impact. We are proud to see Zainab and Kate recognized among outstanding scholars from across the nation!

Once a graduate student in Auburn University Chemical Engineering, Dr. Nicole Habbit now serves as a lecturer in the department, helping prepare the next generation of engineers for their own careers and opportunities. After earning her M.S. in 2018 and Ph.D. in 2022, Dr. Habbit's experiences in research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration positioned her to make an impact both in the classroom and in the future of engineering education at Auburn University.

Reflecting on where her Auburn education has taken her, Dr. Habbit shared:
"Today, I have the privilege of serving as a lecturer at Auburn, where I teach the fundamentals of chemical engineering and the problem-solving mindset that empower our students to tackle complex challenges and ultimately launch successful careers. Simultaneously, I have had the opportunity to help design and develop Auburn’s new Biomedical Engineering graduate programs and curriculum. The versatility of my chemical engineering education provided the foundation to seamlessly integrate engineering and medicine, enabling me to create brand new pathways for the next generation of Auburn engineers to pursue careers dedicated to improving human health and quality of life."

One of the most rewarding aspects of her role is watching students discover that a chemical engineering degree can open doors far beyond traditional career paths, equipping them to pursue meaningful work wherever they can make the greatest impact.

We are proud to see where an Auburn University Chemical Engineering degree has taken Dr. Nicole Habbit and how she is helping shape the future of engineering education and healthcare innovation. War Eagle, Dr. Habbit!

Congratulations to Auburn University Chemical Engineering graduate student Chukwuma Nwanazoba on being selected as a recipient of a 2026 Southern Section Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) Scholarship!

Chosen as one of only two students to receive the award, Chukwuma earned this recognition for his outstanding academic achievements and research focused on environmental challenges related to air quality, water quality, and sustainable waste management.

As industries and communities work to protect natural resources and reduce environmental impacts, researchers like Chukwuma, under the guidance of Dr. Selen Cremaschi and Dr. Zhihua Jiang, are helping develop the knowledge and solutions needed to create a cleaner, more sustainable future. This scholarship recognizes not only his accomplishments in the classroom and research, but also his dedication to serving the broader engineering community through leadership, outreach, and the development of sustainable technologies that help address significant industrial and environmental challenges.

We are proud to see Chukwuma's dedication to research and environmental stewardship recognized across the Southern Section. War Eagle!

From plant tissues and bone to hydrogels, foams, and advanced composites, researchers came together at Auburn University for the Micro-CT for Soft & Biological Matters Workshop to explore how non-destructive imaging is transforming scientific discovery.

Over two days, attendees shared research findings, learned from industry experts at ZEISS, and exchanged ideas on the latest micro-CT techniques and applications. Organized by Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Symone Alexander, the workshop fostered collaboration across disciplines and highlighted emerging opportunities in biological and soft matter imaging.

Thank you to NSF EPSCoR, the Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites, and the Auburn University Museum of Natural History for supporting this impactful event.
🧡💙 War Eagle!

🔬 What do 3D printing, aerospace materials, polymer recycling, and even biomedical research have in common? Rheology.

Auburn Chemical Engineering researchers are using a newly installed state-of-the-art rheometer—the first Anton Paar MCR 503 of its kind installed at a U.S. university—to uncover how complex materials flow, deform, and respond during manufacturing.

From designing advanced nanomaterial inks for 3D printing to improving aerospace composites, enhancing polymer processing, and developing hydrogels that mimic human tissues, our students and faculty are pushing the boundaries of materials innovation.

Led by Dr. Daniel F. and Josephine Breeden Professor, Dr. Virginia Davis, whose lab is internationally recognized for connecting material structure to manufacturing performance, this cutting-edge instrument is helping researchers answer a critical question: How can we better control materials to create stronger, smarter, and more sustainable technologies?

At Auburn, we're not just studying materials—we're shaping the future of manufacturing. 🦅⚙️

Read more: https://eng.auburn.edu/news/2026/07/newly-installed-rheometer-expands-chemical-engineering-research-capabilities

Can pressure “blind” cells to their surroundings?
A groundbreaking study published in Science Advances by researchers from Auburn Chemical Engineering, in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Cyprus, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Binghamton University, reveals that prolonged exposure to elevated hydrostatic pressure impairs a cell's ability to sense and respond to its physical environment, fundamentally changing how it moves.

Even more remarkably, cells remember that pressure. Researchers found that long after the pressure is removed, cells continue to move differently—uncovering a previously unknown form of mechanical memory.

This discovery reveals an unexpected role for pressure in controlling cell behavior and could advance our understanding of development, wound healing, and cancer progression.

👏 Congratulations to the research team:

Ayuba Akinpelu
Abby Weaver
Farnaz Hemmati
Ethan Coker
Farshad Amiri
Chrystalla Stylianou
Ravi S. Vaghasiya
Matthew T. Garnett
Daniel Nweze
Maria Kalli
Symone Alexander
Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
Yizeng Li
Panagiotis Mistriotis

📖 Read the paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aed0981

We’re counting down the days—hurry back, students! We miss you🧡💙

Dr. Cassandra Porter, assistant professor of chemical engineering, develops advanced polymeric membranes that make separation processes more efficient—particularly for water-based systems like geothermal brines. Her work addresses fundamental questions of how molecules move through these membrane materials, enabling energy‑efficient recovery of valuable resources like lithium.

Inspired by early research experiences, Dr. Porter was drawn to the impact of separations in reducing industrial energy use and supporting more sustainable, circular resource systems.

What does she love most about Auburn? Watching students grow—whether it’s a concept finally clicking or a graduate student bringing new ideas to life.

Outside the lab, she expresses her creativity through music, writing, painting, and sculpting.

We’re proud to have Dr. Porter advancing sustainable separation technologies at Auburn Chemical Engineering.