Ten undergraduate students from Rice University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) represented the university at the 2025 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Conference in Boston, Massachusetts. The annual event brings together thousands of students, faculty, and professionals to exchange ideas, present research, and explore career pathways in chemical engineering.
Led by AIChE Student Chapter President Maggie Lim and faculty advisor Amanda Marciel, the Rice delegation participated in technical sessions, networking events, and the national poster competition—highlighting the department’s strong culture of research, collaboration, and leadership.
“Our students demonstrated both academic excellence and professional enthusiasm throughout the conference,” said Marciel, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. “I’m incredibly proud of how they represented Rice and supported one another across all events.”
Four Rice undergraduates received top awards in the AIChE poster competition, highlighting the department’s broad research expertise and commitment to innovation. Simon King earned first place in the Materials Engineering and Sciences Division for his poster, “Aqueous Amino Chloride Salts for Efficient Hydrometallurgical Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries,” which explores sustainable methods for recovering critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries using novel aqueous salt systems. Ali Raza Sial placed second in the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division for his project, “Testing the Test: A Comparative Look at Catalyst Evaluation Techniques.” He compared two methods for evaluating catalysts used to produce hydrogen peroxide—work that could help improve clean, scalable synthesis processes.
Prasi Desai received second place in the Food, Pharmaceutical, and Bioengineering Division for “Challenges and Considerations Associated with CCHF Vaccine Development,” a project focused on designing an effective vaccine antigen for Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, a high-fatality tick-borne disease.
Eitan Feldman, a chemistry major working with Professor Tom Senftle, was also recognized for his poster, “Predicting Stability of Doped RuO₂ for Water Electrolysis,” which investigates how dopant chemistry influences catalyst stability for hydrogen production through water electrolysis.
In addition to the award winners, several other ChBE students presented their research at the national poster session, including seniors Eddie Barreda, Liz Lee, Ian Lim, Elias Sikavitsas, and Xinlin Wang, as well as junior Aditi Srinivasan. Their projects spanned an impressive range of topics including synthetic biology, plasma reactors, and solid-state batteries.
Under Maggie Lim’s leadership, the Rice AIChE Student Chapter has strengthened its engagement across research, community outreach, and national events. Lim coordinated the team’s participation in Boston, ensuring a rewarding and successful experience for all attendees.
“Our chapter’s success at AIChE this year reflects the dedication of our students and the strong mentorship culture within ChBE,” said Lim “We’re grateful for the support of our faculty and alumni who make opportunities like this possible.”
“It was a joy to see our students’ curiosity, professionalism, and drive on full display throughout the conference,” said Lisa Biswal, chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “Their achievements and the way they uplift one another embody the very best of Rice ChBE.”
The 2025 AIChE Student Conference provided Rice students with a national platform to present their research, connect with peers, and engage with industry leaders. With ten participants and four award winners, Rice ChBE continues to demonstrate excellence in research, leadership, and innovation on a national stage.