Alums Jackson and Pozzo give keynote talks at ChEGSA Symposium

Two chemical engineering alums journeyed back to Pittsburgh for the 47th annual Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChEGSA) Research Symposium. Taking place since 1979 as one of the first student-organized research symposia, the symposium showcases the work of chemical engineering graduate students, promotes intradepartmental research collaborations, and helps connect students to industry.

This year's symposium on October 13 and 14, 2025 features keynote speakers Lilo Pozzo ('06) and Jennifer Jackson ('03).

Pozzo, professor of chemical engineering at the University of Washington, researches polymers, colloids, and soft matter systems, working to develop new advanced measurement techniques involving neutron and x-ray scattering. Her current research interests build upon her graduate research, where she used neutron scattering and rheology to discover new pathways for controlled assembly of colloids. Her talk is titled, "Autonomous experiments and accessible automation for soft matter research."

"It's a great honor to be invited back to CMU to speak at this year's symposium," Pozzo says. "I remember participating in the symposium and hearing amazing researchers speak, so to be invited back to speak myself is a huge honor."

Pozzo recalls how the opportunity to present her work at the symposium as a graduate student not only made her a better presenter, but a better researcher too. She even received the award for best presentation one year.

"I fell in love with colloid and polymer science because of my advisor, Lynn Walker, who was very effective at taking fundamental knowledge and applying it to very different types of uses," Pozzo says. "Using what I learned at CMU, I am able to apply materials science and work in all different problem categories with various applications, including clean energy and health care."

Pozzo has been working with soft and squishy materials for 18 years, but recently her research group has taken a new approach to this science, integrating automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the pace of their research. Pozzo will share more about her group's current approach in her symposium presentation.

Reminiscing on her time as a graduate student at CMU, Pozzo reminds current and future students to have fun. "Pursuing a Ph.D. and a career in research is centered on a love for science and engineering because that's ultimately what is going to drive you to succeed in academia and research," she says.

Jackson, who took a path to industry from CMU, most recently served as the senior vice president of merchandising at Walmart, overseeing the multibillion-dollar household essentials business across stores and e-commerce. Her career has spanned roles at the intersection of operations, innovation, and growth at Fortune 500 companies. Jackson's keynote address, titled "Translating PSE to P&L: The business value of engineering thinking," focuses on how the problem-solving frameworks developed during her Ph.D. helped to shape and inform her approach to leadership and decision-making across multiple industries.

"I am very excited to return to CMU and see the campus again," Jackson says. "Participating in the symposium as a graduate student was further evidence for what type of career path I wanted to pursue, so I am grateful to be invited back."

Jackson credits her Ph.D. journey at CMU for helping her to problem solve and take leaps of faith in her career, which has traversed multiple areas of consumer goods, retail, and financial services.

"To go from knowing nothing to becoming an expert in a specific area of research by problem solving and figuring it out on your own, that process is really powerful," says Jackson. "That's probably the strongest asset I gained from my experience at CMU in the Department of Chemical Engineering."

Jackson will expand on how her scientific training and background gave her the essential building blocks to think critically, analyze data, and succeed in nontraditional engineering careers during her symposium presentation.

"Increasing the exposure students have to other avenues they could pursue with their degree is crucial to ensure students don't limit themselves to one career option," Jackson says. "In undergrad, someone told me that, 'If you're a chemical engineer, you can do anything.' I believed that then, and I still do to this day."