OU Engineering

Funded by the Department of Energy, a theoretical study led by Bin Wang, associate professor in the School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering in the Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, is modeling how carbon dioxide could be combined with ethylene, the most common industrial chemical, to make acrylic acid, a common component of many household industrial products. Acrylic acid is used to make disposable diapers, clothing, plastics, and many other consumer applications. It is currently produced by oxidation of propene, a gaseous product of oil refineries. “If you can replace propene and find alternate ways to make acrylic acid using CO2 as feedstock, there are two advantages,” said Wang. “It provides an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas and make CO2 more valuable.” Researchers have been investigating this alternate approach for more than four decades to try to find a more durable solution to making acrylic acid. “Over the last 40 years, homoge...

The American Chemical Society honored University of Oklahoma engineering professor Daniel Resasco, Ph.D., with the Exceptional Achievements in Catalysis award at a special symposium of the Catalysis Division during its Fall 2022 national meeting in Chicago.  Resasco was recognized for advancing solutions for a lower-carbon future working closely with researchers at Phillips 66. Walter Alvarez, Ph.D., principal scientist at the Phillips 66 Research Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, led the nomination effort. “The catalysis group at the University of Oklahoma and researchers at Phillips 66 have a long-term research collaboration focused on the development of an in-depth understanding of the chemical reactions of interest in the production of fuels,” Alvarez said.  The collaboration covers a wide range of interconnected areas such as the analysis of the molecular structure of the reactants, detailed catalyst design and catalyst characterization, reaction kinetics and processes op...

The Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma has added 23 new faculty to its schools, laboratories and centers for the 2022-23 school year.   They bring expertise across a broad range of fields critical to the 21st century and will provide the best possible educational experience for students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity.  Vivek Bajpai, M.D., Ph.D., School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering Before joining OU, Vivek Bajpai was a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Chemical and Systems Biology at Stanford Medicine. With a focus on stem cell reprogramming for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, he holds a bachelor of medicine and a bachelor of surgery from Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in India. He earned a master’s degree in biological sciences and bioengineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a doctorate in chemical and biological engineering from the University ...

The Engineering Pathways Program in the Gallogly College of Engineering at OU is creating new opportunities for engineering students starting this fall. Eight world-class faculty who are experts in engineering education and in technical areas of engineering research have been hired to provide student academic education and support. The faculty were hired to help address Oklahoma's growing need for engineers.  Serving as program director is Susan Walden, Ph.D. , an American Society for Engineering Education Fellow. New faculty members will be housed in the  McCasland Foundation Engineering Pathways Hub  in historic Felgar Hall. They are: Tierney Harvey, Ph.D., EP Assistant Professor Harvey earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia and a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering focusing on hydrology and fluid dynamics from Duke University. Before joining OU, she was an instructor and first-year engineering coordinator in the Eng...

The University of Oklahoma announced nine recipients of the Computer Science Indigenous Community of Learners United to Develop, Excel and Succeed  (CS INCLUDES) scholarship. The program is focused on students majoring in computer science at OU. Funded by a nearly $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the project will support at least 24 full-time scholars with demonstrated financial need and a commitment to giving back to Tribal Nations.  Now each in their first semester at OU, the 2022 scholars are: Jacob Amberg, of Owasso, Oklahoma Jax Breedlove-Donlon, of Norman, Oklahoma Ava Feierabend, of Norman, Oklahoma Richard Luevano, of Idabel, Oklahoma Jesse Newby, of Owasso, Oklahoma Barrett Ray, of Sapulpa, Oklahoma Shiloh Sells, of Owasso, Oklahma Jacob Tedder, of Antlers, Oklahoma Keith Thompson, of Moore, Oklahoma  The scholarship will provide up to $10,000 per year for up to four years. Additionally, CS INCLUDES provides mentorship support from In...

Launched with support from the State of Oklahoma in 2021, the Engineering Pathways Program plays a major role in meeting the Gallogly College of Engineering’s strategic goal to grow enrollment and degree completion. The college’s approach has many aspects and is based on evidence-based practices and research in engineering education, says Randa Shehab, the college’s senior associate dean for academic affairs and faculty development. “We realize that to grow participation in engineering among college-going students we have to develop excitement and motivation about engineering, as well as create programs that support them during their academic experience,” Shehab said. Engineering Pathways is creating that excitement through several programs while enhancing and growing programs to support students during their academic journey. “At universities across the nation, it is expected that first-year students enroll in calculus as their first math class. This just isn’t the reality for many of...

The Gallogly College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma has launched an innovative new program to help address Oklahoma’s growing need for engineers. Starting this fall, the Engineering Pathways Program combines high-quality teaching with student-centered learning in historic Felgar Hall. Plans for the facility are twofold. Now operational, the  McCasland Foundation Engineering Pathways Hub on the first floor focuses on teaching students and provides modern facilities for collaboration. The hub accommodates faculty who are experts in engineering education or dedicated to improving learning experiences for engineering students.  Susan Walden serves as the program’s executive director.  “The new Engineering Pathways faculty will add energy and new ideas, teaching excellence and student mentorship to the program and will provide essential support to grow our engineering student body,” said Walden, an American Society for Engineering Education Fellow.  This su...