On May 15, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University welcomed students, faculty, alumni and industry partners for the second annual Chevron Lecture & Chemical and Biomolecular Research Symposium, a student-led event designed to showcase emerging research while strengthening connections across academic and industry.
Hosted by the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChBE GSA), the symposium featured student oral presentations, poster sessions and interdisciplinary discussions highlighting research taking place across the department.
The day’s events were anchored by the annual Chevron Lecture, featuring keynote speaker Michael Tsapatsis, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, whose talk explored emerging developments in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their applications in energy and advanced materials. His lecture offered attendees insight into research shaping the future of chemical engineering.
Throughout the symposium, students presented research spanning a range of chemical and biomolecular engineering disciplines, creating opportunities for dialogue among students, faculty, alumni and industry representatives.
For Michelle Herrera Gonzalez, president of ChBE GSA and one of the student organizers, the symposium represents an opportunity to strengthen connections both within the department and beyond campus.
“The symposium represents a unique opportunity for the ChBE GSA to work together as a team and organize events that strengthen the connection between our students and industry professionals,” said Herrera Gonzalez. “It is also a valuable platform to showcase the impactful research being done within our department, both to members of the Rice community and visitors from outside the university.”
As both an organizer and presenter, Herrera Gonzalez said one of the highlights of the event was the opportunity to present her own work and engage directly with industry professionals and alumni during the poster session. “Events like the symposium give students a stage to share the hard work they are doing while creating opportunities to network, collaborate and learn from professionals in both academia and industry,” she said.
The symposium also reinforced the department’s strong connection with alumni and industry partners, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing research and preparing students for future careers.
“What started last year as a new initiative is quickly growing into a meaningful tradition that brings together graduate researchers, faculty, industry leaders and alumni to exchange ideas, showcase cutting-edge research,” said Omran Taqi, student organizer and vice president of ChBE GSA.
The event was made possible through the continued support of Chevron and Chris Powers. Additional support was provided by the Rice Graduate Student Association (GSA), Student Activities/President’s Programming (SAPP), the South Texas Section of AIChE and Rice Engineering Alumni.
“The second ChBE Research Symposium was a well-attended and well-received event by both alumni and students,” said Andreas Matzakos, chair of the Chemical and Biomolecular Alumni Committee. “The ability for alumni to meet current students, appreciate their contributions to today’s scientific frontiers and witness their readiness to enter the workforce is a welcome privilege.”
As the symposium continues to grow, organizers hope it will further expand opportunities for students to share their research, connect with industry leaders and strengthen the department’s collaborative research community.