Catalyst Newsletter edition
Summer 2026 Edition
Chair's Letter
Dear ChemE Community,
If I were to sum up the last six months in one word, it would be: momentum. Faculty, students and staff have been working behind the scenes on projects for months and even years, and many of those efforts recently came to fruition.
Class of 2026 Graduation
The Class of 2026 Chemical Engineering Commencement was held Friday, June 12 in Kane Hall on University of Washington campus. Nearly 100 students graduated across ChemE’s undergraduate and graduate programs.
(Virtually) Tour the renovated Unit Operations Lab!
The Unit Operations Lab was renovated thanks in part to a generous donation from an estate. This article features a brief overview of the renovations and a video tour of the new lab, featuring ChemE students and faculty.
ChemE's first ever department capstone showcase
Nearly 70 Chemical Engineering students participated in the Department’s first-ever Capstone & Design Showcase in June. Students presented their research and design projects through a mini film festival and a poster session.
Professors Lilo Pozzo and Nada Naser awarded UW SEED-AI Grant
Two ChemE faculty have been awarded a grant to incorporate robotics and artificial intelligence into the undergraduate curriculum. The new curriculum will better prepare students for the modern workforce.
Bret Snyder (Ph.D. '96) named R. Wells Moulton Distinguished Alumnus in Industry
Bret Snyder, Ph.D. ’26, was named this year’s R. Wells Moulton Distinguished Alumnus in Industry. The Chemical Engineering Department was honored to welcome Snyder as the alumni speaker at graduation in June.
UW ChemE welcomes Dr. Huimin Zhao for 2026 Chair's Distinguished Lecture
The Department of Chemical Engineering welcomed Dr. Huimin Zhao, Steven L. Miller Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, for the Chair’s Distinguished Lecture in May.
Dr. David Beck appointed Wilder Family Term Professor
Dr. David Beck has been appointed as the Wilder Family Term Professor. The award, founded by Warren and Liz Wilder, is broadly designated to support research, scholarship and educational endeavors of Chemical Engineering faculty.
UW Chemical Engineering students headed to nationals after AIChE wins
UW Chemical Engineering students took several first- and second-place awards at the annual American Institute of Chemical Engineers Student Conference, winning them spots in the national competition in November.
Dr. E. Daniel Cárdenas-Vásquez joins ChemE faculty
Dr. E. Daniel Cárdenas-Vásquez will join the Department of Chemical Engineering in September as the John C. Berg Endowed Lecturer in Interfacial and Colloid Science.
From transfer student to Husky 100: Lauren Ellis, B.S. ‘26, describes her UW journey
As a graduating senior in Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, Ellis studies methods to improve plastic recycling. For this research and her impressive list of extra curriculars, Ellis was named to the Husky 100.
ChemE’s Sofia Dahlgren awarded Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence
Sofia Dahlgren (B.S. '26), was awarded the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence from the College of Engineering.
Tata Serebryany on Community, Pride, and Chemical Engineering
AIChE spoke with Tata Serebryany, an NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Washington, about his path to chemical engineering and his perspective on creating welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ engineers.
Research & Recognition Roundup.
A roundup of publications and awards from the Department of Chemical Engineering from November 2025 through June 2026.