UD Engineering Faculty
Named Professors
Suresh G. Advani
George W. Laird Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Named: September 1, 2005
This professorship honors the memory of George W. Laird, an alumnus of the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering who earned a master's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering in 1971. He was killed in a tragic accident in 1977. The funds for this endowment were provided through the George W. Laird Fund in Mechanical Engineering.
Paul Amer
Alumni Distinguished Professor of Computer and Information Sciences
Named: September 1, 2006
Department of Computer and Information Sciences Research: Multimedia and transport protocols and data compression in multimedia; protocol specification, testing and verification. Alumni Distinguished Professorships are funded by endowments supported by the University of Delaware Alumni Association.
Gonzalo R. Arce
Charles Black Evans Professor of Electrical Engineering
Named: January 1, 2003
This professorship honors Charles Black Evans, secretary-treasurer of the University’s Board of Trustees from 1896-1933. Evans Hall, home of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, is named after Evans and his father George C. Evans, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1856 until 1904.
Mark A. Barteau
Robert L. Pigford Chaired Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: January 1, 2005
(Originally named Robert L. Pigford Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering on September 1, 1994)
Funded by the Unidel Foundation, this professorship honors Robert L. Pigford, chairperson of the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from 1947-66, the first recipient of the University’s Francis Alison Faculty Award and a member of the UD Board of Trustees from 1982 until his death in 1988.
Antony N. Beris
Arthur B. Metzner Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: September 1, 2002
This professorship honors the late Arthur B. Metzner, who came to the University in 1953 and chaired the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering from 1970-77. He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering and received the UD's Francis Alison Award.
John Byrne
Distinguished Professor of Energy and Climate Policy
Named: September 1, 2009
Distinguished Professor of Public Policy School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy Research: Energy, environmental policy. Distinguished Professorships recognize deserving senior members of the faculty.
Thomas S. Buchanan
George W. Laird Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Named: July 1, 2009
This professorship honors the memory of George W. Laird, an alumnus of the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering who earned a master's degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering in 1971. He was killed in a tragic accident in 1977. The funds for this endowment were provided through the George W. Laird Fund in Mechanical Engineering.
Jingguang G. Chen
Claire D. LeClaire Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: January 1, 2008
This named professorship was made possible by the endowment of the late Mr. Claire D. LeClaire, formerly of Dover, in support of chemical engineering efforts at the University.
Wilfred Chen
Gore Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: January 1, 2011
This professorship honors the Gore family, including Robert W. Gore `59, Sarah I. Gore `76M and the late Genevieve W. Gore. Robert W. Gore, a 1959 chemical engineering graduate of the University of Delaware, served as president of W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. and is a member of the UD Board of Trustees. In 1990, Dr. Gore received the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award and he was inducted into UD's Alumni Wall of Fame in 1992.
Tsu-Wei Chou
P.S. du Pont Chaired Professor of Engineering
Named: January 1, 2003
(Originally named Jerzy L. Nowinski Professor of Mechanical Engineering on September 1, 1989)
Funded by the Unidel Foundation, this endowed chair honors the memory of Pierre Samuel du Pont, industrialist, philanthropist, and educational visionary. His generosity began with an anonymous gift of land to Delaware College (now the University) in 1915 which forms the central area of campus now known as The Green. Mr. du Pont also played a role in establishing the University's Junior Year Abroad Program, the first program of its kind in the world.
Dominic M. DiToro
Edward C. Davis Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Named: March 5, 2004
This professorship honors the late Edward C. Davis (1884-1959), who graduated from Delaware College (forerunner to the University) in 1905 with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He became one of the nation’s leading hydraulic engineers and was a generous benefactor to the University.
Guang R. Gao
Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Named: September 1, 2005
Funds for this professorship came from monies accrued to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and College of Engineering from the sale of intellectual property.
John W. Gillespie, Jr.
Donald C. Phillips Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Named: September 1, 2005
This professorship honors Donald C. Phillips, an alumnus of the University of Delaware’s Class of 1948, who through his estate provided a generous gift to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Mr. Phillips, an Army veteran of World War II, earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering and went on to lead an accomplished career as a construction engineer.
Chin-Pao Huang
Donald C. Phillips Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Named: March 5, 2004
(Originally named Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering on October 15, 1992)
This professorship honors Donald C. Phillips, an alumnus of the University of Delaware's Class of 1948, who through his estate provided a generous gift to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Mr. Phillips, an Army veteran of World War II, earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering and went on to lead an accomplished career as a construction engineer.
James T. Kirby
Edward C. Davis Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Named: January 1, 2003
This professorship honors the late Edward C. Davis, who graduated from Delaware College (forerunner to the University) in 1905 with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. He became one of the nation’s leading hydraulic engineers and was a generous benefactor to the University.
Michael T. Klein
Dan Rich Chair of Energy Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: July 1, 2010
Research: Upgrading and conversion of renewable and fossil fuels, chemical reaction engineering, detailed kinetic modeling of complex reaction systems. Funded by the Unidel Foundation, this endowed chair honors Dan Rich for his distinguished service as the University's provost from 2001 to 2009.
James Kolodzey
Charles Black Evans Professor of Electrical Engineering
Named: September 1, 2004
This professorship honors Charles Black Evans, secretary-treasurer of the University’s Board of Trustees from 1896-1933. Evans Hall, home of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, is named after Evans and his father George C. Evans, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1856 until 1904.
Kelvin H. Lee
Gore Professor of Chemical Engineering
Named: September 1, 2007
This professorship honors the Gore family, including Robert W. Gore `59, Sarah I. Gore `76M and the late Genevieve W. Gore. Robert W. Gore, a 1959 chemical engineering graduate of the University of Delaware, served as president of W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. and is a member of the UD Board of Trustees. In 1990, Dr. Gore received the College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award and he was inducted into UD’s Alumni Wall of Fame in 1992.
Abraham M. Lenhoff
Allan P. Colburn Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: September 1, 2010
Allan P. Colburn Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. (Originally named Gore Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering on September 1, 2002) This professorship honors Allan P. Colburn. Dr. Colburn was a nationally prominent chemical engineer who was chairman of UD's Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. He also served as acting-president of the University in 1950 and provost from 1950 until his death in 1955.
Michael E. Mackay
Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Named: July 1, 2009
The distinguished professorship recognizes deserving senior members of the UD faculty.
David C. Martin
Karl W. and Renate Böer Chaired Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Named: July 1, 2009
The professorship honors Karl W. Böer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics and Solar Energy, and Renate Böer, an authority in the field of international trade. A pioneer in the fields of solar cells, solar energy systems, and solid state physics, Dr. Böer was a faculty member from 1962-1994. In 1987, the University established the Karl W. Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit in his honor. Dr. Boer also was awarded UD's Medal of Distinction in 1998.
Babatunde A. Ogunnaike
William L. Friend Chaired Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: September 1, 2008
(Originally named William L. Friend Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering on January 1, 2004)
This professorship honors the distinguished career of UD alumnus William L. Friend `58MChE, who, along with his wife Mary Kay, provided a generous gift to the University to endow this professorship. Mr. Friend received the University's Medal of Distinction in 2004 in recognition of his significant contributions to international engineering and construction industry and the engineering profession.
Eleftherious T. Papoutsakis
Eugene du Pont Chaired Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: September 1, 2007
This professorship honors Eugene duPont (1840-1902), a native Delawarean, who served as fourth president of the DuPont Company from 1889-1902. The Eugene du Pont Distinguished Memorial Scholarship program for highly qualified, incoming freshmen also is named in his honor.
Dennis W. Prather
College of Engineering Alumni Professor
Named: January 1, 2007
The College of Engineering Alumni Professorship endowment was established by our alumni to assist the College in its efforts to attract and retain the best and brightest talent in engineering education and research. Through the financial support of over fifty alumni and matching gifts from their employers, the $350,000 goal of this project was achieved and the first College of Engineering Alumni Professor was appointed in January, 2007. Due to the success of the project and the continuing need to recruit and retain outstanding faculty college-wide, a second campaign is underway to fund another professorship.
John F. Rabolt
Karl W. and Renate Böer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Named: September 1, 2001
The professorship honors Karl W. Böer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics and Solar Energy, and Renate Böer, an authority in the field of international trade. A pioneer in the fields of solar cells, solar energy systems, and solid state physics, Dr. Böer was a faculty member from 1962-1994. In 1987, the University established the Karl W. Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit in his honor. Dr. Boer also was awarded UD's Medal of Distinction in 1998.
Stanley I. Sandler
Henry B. du Pont Chaired Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: September 1, 1999
(Originally named Henry B. du Pont Professor in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering on February 23, 1982)
This Chair honors Henry Belin du Pont, who served on the Board of Trustees from 1944 until his death in 1970. His unusually diverse educational background and other life-long interests set the tone for his broad-based role at Delaware. Being well informed about business, science, and technology issues, he was a leader in community development. Upon his death, he bequeathed a substantial legacy to the University.
Dionisios G. Vlachos
Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: March 1, 2009
This professorship honors Elizabeth Inez Kelley, who attended the Delaware Women's College, later graduating from Drexel Institute of Technology. For many years, she served as assistant and private secretary to the President of Merck Chemical Company.
Norman J. Wagner
Alvin B. and Julia O. Stiles Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: September 1, 2005
This professorship honors the late Alvin B. and Julia O. Stiles, who provided a generous gift to the University of Delaware to endow this professorship. Dr. Stiles worked for the E.I. DuPont Co., where he developed the catalyst for the commercial production of nylon and was named a Research Fellow. In 1996, Dr. Stiles received the University's Medal of Distinction.
Cathy Huey-Hwa Wu
Edward G. Jefferson Chair of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Named: January 16, 2009
Department of Computer & Information Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
Research: bioinformatics and computational systems biology
The Edward G. Jefferson Chair honors the late Edward Jefferson, former chairman and chief executive officer of the DuPont Company and a University trustee and benefactor. The Jefferson Chair is funded through an endowment established by the Unidel Foundation.
Xiang-Gen Xia
Charles Black Evans Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Named: September 1, 2007
This professorship honors Charles Black Evans, secretary-treasurer of the University's Board of Trustees from 1896-1933. Evans Hall, home of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, is named after Evans and his father George C. Evans, a member of the Board of Trustees from 1856 until 1904.
Yushan Yan
Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Named: July 1, 2011
This professorship originated as the HAWTHORNE PROFESSORSHIP, named for Howard S. Hawthorne and funded thru a DuPont Company engineering department employee voluntary endowment, which received additional gifts over the years and expanded into the current professorship.
Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Research: Membranes and catalysts for fuel cells, energy storage, and solar hydrogen and zeolite thin films for semiconductor and aerospace applications.
