2026
2026
March
Alumnus delivers winning pitch to capture 2026 NETL SLAM
National Energy Technology Laboratory
Alumnus William Strahl, who earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering in 2024, was selected as the 2026 NETL (National Energy Technology Laboratory) SLAM Champion. His three-minute presentation “PRIMO – The Well Plugging Optimizer” won the contest in which early-career researchers explain complex projects in clear, easy-to-understand language.
February
Torres highlighted for research on optimal recycling plants
Rare Earth Exchanges
ChemE’s Ana Torres and her Ph.D. student Chris Laliwala were highlighted for their research on designing optimal recycling plants for various materials. They and their colleagues developed a superstructure optimization model to compare end-of-life magnet-recycling routes and determine the most economical pathway before building billion-dollar facilities, testing it on hard disk drives versus EV/HEV motors.
Single Celled Parasites Take Red Blood Cells for a Drive
The Scientist
Chemical engineering researchers discovered that the parasite Babesia microti uses red blood cells to migrate. It may be a way to evade the immune system and find new space to multiply.
January
Laliwala awarded honorable mention for TechConnect World abstract
ChemE Ph.D. student Chris Laliwala received an honorable mention for the 2026 TechConnect World Best Student Abstract Award. His abstract is titled "Design and Optimization of Processing Pathways for Rare Earth Element Recovery from End-of-Life Products." Laliwala works with ChemE's Ana Torres.