Faculty Awards and Honors
Faculty Awards, Honors, and Recognition
Our award-winning faculty have been honored for their dedication to research, education, and public engagement by numerous societies and organizations. Each of these awards represents not only the personal achievements of our faculty but also the collaborative spirit of our department and countless collaborators, partners, mentors, and students.
National and International
Fellows and Member Distinctions
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Fellowship
Diwakar Shukla (2019)
Ying Diao (2018)
Edmund G. Seebauer (1994)
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow
Hong Yang (2015)
Brendan A. Harley (2014)
Huimin Zhao (2010)
William S. Hammack (2008)
Edmund G. Seebauer (2007)
Deborah E. Leckband (2005)
Richard C. Alkire (1996)
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Fellow
Kenneth Schweizer (2021)
Thomas Hanratty* (1997)
American Chemical Society, Fellow
Deborah E. Leckband (2009)
American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Fellow
Edmund G. Seebauer (2011)
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, Fellow
Brendan Harley (2019)
Hyunjoon Kong (2017)
Huimin Zhao (2009)
Deborah E. Leckband (2005)
American Physical Society, Fellow
William S. Hammack (2009)
Edmund G. Seebauer (2008)
Kenneth S. Schweizer (1996)
Steve Granick (1992)
American Vacuum Society, Fellow
Edmund G. Seebauer (2001)
Biomedical Engineering Society, Fellow
Brendan Harley (2021)
Deborah E. Leckband (2014)
National Academy of Engineering, Member
William S. Hammack (2022)
Charles F. Zukoski (2007)
Richard C. Alkire (1988)
Harry G. Drickamer* (1979)
Walter G. May* (1978)
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1974)
James W. Westwater* (1974)
National Academy of Sciences, Member
Steve Granick (2015)
Thomas Hanratty* (1999)
Harry G. Drickamer* (1965)
The Electrochemical Society, Fellow
Paul J. A. Kenis (2019)
Richard C. Alkire (1992)
Simons Foundation, Pivot Fellow
Diwakar Shukla (2022)
U.S. Department of State, Jefferson Fellow
William S. Hammack (2005-2006)
National Academy of Engineering
NAE U.S. Frontiers of Engineering
Diwakar Shukla (2022)
Simon Rogers (2020)
Charles Sing (2018)
Ying Diao (2017)
Brendan Harley (2016)
Charles M. Schroeder (2012)
Huimin Zhao (2009)
Paul J. A. Kenis (2008)
National Science Foundation
NSF CAREER Award
Xiao Su (2019)
Simon A. Rogers (2019)
Diwakar Shukla (2018)
Ying Diao (2018)
Charles E. Sing (2017)
David W. Flaherty (2016)
Andrew L. Ferguson (2013)
Brendan A. Harley (2013)
Charles M. Schroeder (2013)
Hyun Joon Kong (2009)
Christopher V. Rao (2007)
Paul J.A. Kenis (2006)
Hong Yang (2005)
Huimin Zhao (2004)
Deborah E. Leckband (1995)
NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award
Edmund G. Seebauer (1988)
Charles F. Zukoski (1986)
Jonathan J.L. Higdon (1984)
NSF Award for Special Creativity
Steve Granick (1993, 2012)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH FIRST Award
Deborah E. Leckband (1994)
NIH Pathway to Independence Award
Charles M. Schroeder (2006-2011)
Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE Early Career Award
David W. Flaherty (2019)
DOE Award for Outstanding Scientific Achievement in Materials Chemistry
Kenneth S. Schweizer (1996)
Major Honors and Awards
American Institute of Chemical Engineers American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Herbert Hoover Medal
William S. Hammack (2020)
Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Teacher/Scholar Award
Charles M. Schroeder (2013)
William S. Hammack (1993)
National Science Board, Public Service Award
William S. Hammack (2021
Young Investigator Awards
3M Non-tenured/Young Faculty Award
Ying Diao (2018)
Paul J. A. Kenis (2001)
American Chemical Society, Petroleum Research Fund New Investigator Award
Alexander V. Mironenko (2022)
Simon A. Rogers (2018)
David Flaherty (2013)
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Walter A. Shaw Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research
Mary L. Kraft (2014)
American Vacuum Society, Prairie Chapter, Early Career Award
Ying Diao (2019)
David W. Flaherty (2018)
Mary L. Kraft (2015)
Chinese National Science Foundation, Outstanding Overseas Young Chinese Scholars Award
Huimin Zhao (2007)
Department of Energy, Early Career Award
David W. Flaherty (2019)
DuPont Young Investigator Award
Huimin Zhao (2005)
Edmund G. Seebauer (1988)
Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, New Innovator in Food and Agriculture Research
Diwakar Shukla (2017)
Institution of Chemical Engineers North America, Young Chemical Engineer of the Year
Andrew L. Ferguson (2013)
Korean Institute for Chemical Engineers, President Young Investigator Award
Hyunjoon Kong (2011)
NASA Early Career Faculty Award
Ying Diao (2020)
NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award
Edmund G. Seebauer (1988)
Charles F. Zukoski (1986)
Jonathan J.L. Higdon (1984)
Other Honors/Awards
American Association for Cancer Research, Minority and Minority-serving Institution Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research
Sara Pedron Haba (2022)
American Association for Cancer Research, NextGen Star
Sara Pedron Haba (2021)
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, Innovation in Biotechnology Award
Diwakar Shukla (2011)
American Cancer Society of Illinois, President’s Award for Research
Brendan A. Harley (2011)
American Heart Association, Scientist Development Grant
Hyunjoon Kong (2008)
American Institute of Physics, Science Writing Award in Broadcast Media
William S. Hammack (2004)
Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Career Award at the Scientific Interface
Mary L. Kraft (2007-2011)
Catalog Collaborative Innovation Awards
Xiao Su (2020)
Council of Scientific Society Presidents, Carl Sagan Award for the Public Appreciation of Science
William S. Hammack (2019)
David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Packard Fellowship
Charles M. Schroeder (2011)
Dow Chemical Company, Special Recognition Award
Huimin Zhao (1999, 2000)
Eastman Foundation Distinguished Lecturer in Catalysis
David W. Flaherty (2021)
Engineering Conferences International Enzyme Engineering Award
Humin Zhao (2019)
Forbes “30 Under 30” Science
Charles E. Sing (2015)
Genome Technology, Tomorrow’s PIs
Charles M. Schroeder (2008)
Guggenheim Foundation, Fellowship
Huimin Zhao (2012)
Institution of Chemical Engineers, Moulton Medal
Charles F. Zukoski (1996)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Award for Distinguished Literary Contributions Furthering the Public Understanding of the Profession
William S. Hammack (2004)
Lafayette College, George Washington Kidd Outstanding Alumnus Award
Richard C. Alkire (1988)
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, Lifetime National Associate for extraordinary contributions
Richard C. Alkire (2002)
National Association of Science Writers, Science in Society Award
William S. Hammack (2002)
National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Technical Achievement Award
Richard C. Alkire (1990)
National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Silver Reel for National News & Commentary
William S. Hammack (2003)
Paris-Sciences Medal, City of Paris
Steve Granick (2014, 2002)
R&D Magazine, R&D 100 Award for Technologically Significant Innovation
Kenneth S. Schweizer (1992)
Sandia National Laboratories, Award for Excellence
Kenneth S. Schweizer (1990)
Science Online, First Prize (Video)
William S. Hammack (2011)
Semiconductor Research Corporation, Inventor Recognition Award
Edmund G. Seebauer (1995)
Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Charles Thom Award
Huimin Zhao (2016)
University of Notre Dame
Thiele Award (2022)
Villanova University College of Engineering, J. Stanley Morehouse Memorial Award
Thomas J. Hanratty* (2009)
Society Awards
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
AIChE 100 Engineers of the Modern Era
Charles F. Zukoski (2008)
AIChE 35 Under 35 Award in the Chemicals & Materials category
Charles Sing (2020)
AIChE Alpha Chi Sigma Award
Charles F. Zukoski (2002)
AIChE Biotechnology Progress Award for Excellence in Biological Engineering Publication
Huimin Zhao (2017)
AIChE Computing and Systems Technology, CAST Outstanding Young Researcher Award
Christopher V. Rao (2012)
AIChE Computing and Systems Technology, CAST Directors’ Award
Christopher V. Rao (2008)
AIChE Colburn Award
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1957)
AIChE ComMSEF Impact Award
Baron Peters (2019)
AIChE ComMSEF Young Investigator Award for Modeling & Simulation
Diwakar Shukla (2018)
AIChE Ernest Thiele Award
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1986)
AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division Award in Chemical Engineering
Huimin Zhao (2022)
AIChE Professional Progress Award
Richard C. Alkire (1985)
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1967)
AIChE Service to Society Award
William S. Hammack (2002)
AIChE Walker Award
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1964)
American Chemical Society (ACS)
ACS Langmuir Lectureship Award
Deborah E. Leckband (2021)
ACS PMSE Young Investigator Symposium Speaker
Charles Sing (2020)
ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry Victor K. LaMer Award
Xiao Su (2020)
ACS Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry Unilever Award
Xiao Su (2023)
ACS Catalysis ACS Early Career Advisory Board
David W. Flaherty (2019)
ACS Polymer Materials Young Investigator Award
Damien Guironnet (2019)
ACS Division of Computers in Chemistry OpenEye Outstanding Junior Faculty Award
Diwakar Shukla (2018)
ACS Marvin Johnson Award in Microbial and Biochemical Technology
Huimin Zhao (2018)
ACS Joel Henry Hildebrand Award in the Theoretical and Experimental Chemistry of Liquids
Kenneth S. Schweizer (2015)
ACS John Wiley & Sons and ACS Division of Biochemical Technology, Elmer Gaden Award
Huimin Zhao (2014)
ACS Journal of Physical Chemistry and PHYS Division Lectureship Award
Diwakar Shukla (2021)
ACS Petroleum Research Fund New Investigator Award
Alexander V. Mironenko (2022)
Simon A. Rogers (2018)
David Flaherty (2013)
ACS National Award in Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Steve Granick (2013)
ACS Division of Biochemical Technology Young Investigator Award
Huimin Zhao (2008)
ACS James T. Grady-James H. Stack Award for Interpreting Chemistry for the Public
William S. Hammack (2004)
ACS Ralph K. Iler Award, Chemistry of Colloidal Materials
Charles F. Zukoski (1997)
ACS E.V. Murphee Award in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
Richard C. Alkire (1991)
Electrochemical Society (ECS)
ECS Energy Technology Division Research Award
Paul J. A. Kenis (2020)
ECS Fellow
Paul J. A. Kenis (2019)
Richard C. Alkire (1992)
ECS Vittorio de Nora Award
Richard C. Alkire (2005)
ECS Edward Goodrich Acheson Medal
Richard C. Alkire (1996)
ECS Carl Wagner Memorial Award
Richard C. Alkire (1985)
American Physical Society (APS)
APS Polymer Physics Prize
Steve Granick (2009)
Kenneth S. Schweizer (2008)
APS Dillon Medal in Polymer Physics
Kenneth S. Schweizer (1991)
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
ASEE The President’s Award
William S. Hammack (2003)
ASEE Senior Research Award
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1979)
ASEE Engineering Research Council Curtis W. McGraw Research Award
Richard Braatz (2004)
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1963)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ASME Edwin F. Church Medal
William S. Hammack (2002)
ASME Ralph Coats Roe Medal
William S. Hammack (2020)
American Vacuum Society
AVS Prairie Chapter, Early Career Award
Ying Diao (2019)
David W. Flaherty (2018)
Mary L. Kraft (2015)
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
BMES Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Special Interest Group Rising Star
Brendan A. Harley (2015)
International Society of Electrochemistry (ISE)
ISE, Fellow
Richard C. Alkire
ISE-Elsevier Prize for Green Electrochemistry
Xiao Su (2021)
Society for Biomaterials (SFB)
Society For Biomaterials, Clemson Award for Basic Research
Brendan A. Harley (2021)
Society For Biomaterials, Young Investigator Award
Brendan A. Harley (2014)
Society of Rheology (SoR)
SoR Arthur B. Metzner Early Career Award
Simon A. Rogers (2022)
Charles M. Schroeder (2012)
SoR Publication Award
Charles M. Schroeder (2019)
Charles F. Zukoski (1996)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Campus Awards
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Brendan Harley (2017-2018)
Campus Branding Leadership Award
William S. Hammack (2011)
Campus Award for Excellence in Public Engagement
Jerrod A. Henderson (2015)
Center for Advanced Study
Xiao Su (Fellow, 2022-2023)
Damien S. Guironnet (Fellow, 2021-2022)
Brendan A. Harley (Fellow, 2015-2016)
Charles M. Schroeder (Beckman Fellow, 2014)
Hyun Joon Kong (Fellow, 2012-2013)
Paul J. A. Kenis (Beckman Fellow, 2007-2008)
Steve Granick (Associate, 2006)
Huimin Zhao (Beckman Fellow, 2005-2006)
Edmund G. Seebauer (Beckman Associate (2004-2005)
Deborah Leckband (Fellow, 1999)
Distinguished Promotion Award
David Flaherty (2022)
Simon A. Rogers (2022)
Ying Diao (2021)
Brendan A. Harley (2018, 2015)
Hyunjoon Kong (2016)
List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent
Ying Diao
David W. Flaherty
Damien S. Guironnet
William S. Hammack
Brendan A. Harley
Jonathan J.L. Higdon
Paul J.A. Kenis
Hyun Joon Kong
Mary L. Kraft
Jacob M. Leicht
Ryan Mullen
Christopher V. Rao
Simon A. Rogers
Charles M. Schroeder
Diwakar Shukla
Charles E. Sing
Xiao Su
The Grainger College of Engineering
Academy of Excellence in Engineering Education
Damien Guironnet (Collins Scholar, 2014-2015)
Diwakar Shukla (Collins Scholar, 2014-2015)
Charles Sing (Collins Scholar, 2014-2015)
Paul J. A. Kenis (Collins Scholar, 2001)
Huimin Zhao (Collins Scholar, 2001)
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research (formerly the Xerox Award for Faculty Research)
David Flaherty (2022)
Diwakar Shukla (2020)
Ying Diao (2019)
David W. Flaherty (2018)
Brendan Harley (2018)
Hyun Joon Kong (2016)
Christopher V. Rao (2014)
Charles M. Schroeder (2013)
Hyun Joon Kong (2012)
Paul J. A. Kenis ( 2006)
Huimin Zhao (2005)
Deborah E. Leckband (1998)
Steve Granick (1993)
Donald Burnett Teaching Award, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Kenneth S. Schweizer (1997)
Engineering Council Excellence in Advising Award
David W. Flaherty
Kenneth S. Schweizer
Steve Granick
Brendan A. Harley
Jonathan J.L. Higdon
Paul J. A. Kenis
Mary L. Kraft
Charles M. Schroeder
Diwakar Shukla
Edmund G. Seebauer
William S. Hammack
Troy Vogel
Huimin Zhao
Everitt Award for Teaching Excellence
Brendan Harley (2014)
Kenneth S. Schweizer (2002)
Charles F. Zukoski (1992)
Tau Beta Pi Daniel C. Drucker Eminent Faculty Award
Kenneth S. Schweizer (2008)
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Brendan Harley (2017-2018)
Prokasy Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Jonathan J. L. Higdon (1988)
School of Chemical Sciences
Excellence in Teaching Award
Christopher Rao (2022)
Xiao Su (2022)
Brendan A. Harely (2021)
Hyunjoon Kong (2020)
Simon A. Rogers (2019)
Diwakar Shukla (2018)
Charles Sing (2017)
Ying Diao (2016)
Damien Guironnet (2015)
David W. Flaherty (2014)
Mary L. Kraft (2014)
Troy J. Vogel (2014)
Christopher V. Rao (2008)
Paul J. A. Kenis (2006)
William S. Hammack (2005, 2001)
Huimin Zhao (2004)
Edmund G. Seebauer (1996)
Jonathan J.L. Higdon (1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998)
Richard C. Alkire (1982, 1988)
Named Chairs and Professorships
Charles J. and Dorothy G. Prizer Chair Emeritus
Richard C. Alkire
Elio Eliakim Tarika Chair
Paul J.A. Kenis (2018–Present)
Charles F. Zukoski (2012–Present)
Founder Chair of Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering
Rohit Bhargava (2012-Present)
Steve Granick (1999-2014)
G. Ronald and Margaret H. Morris Professor
Kenneth S. Schweizer (2001–Present)
James W. Westwater Professor
Edmund G. Seebauer (2006–2019)
Deborah E. Leckband (2004-2006)
Anthony McHugh (2000-2003)
K. Dane Wittrup (1998-1999)
Thomas J. Hanratty* (1986-1998)
Reid T. Milner Professor
Deborah E. Leckband (2006–Present)
Richard C. Alkire Professor Chair in Chemical Engineering
Hong Yang, Richard C. Alkire Professor (2015–2018)
Hong Yang, Richard C. Alkire Chair (2018–Present)
Robert W. Schaefer Scholar
Brendan A. Harley (2019-Present)
Hyunjoon Kong (2019- Present)
Mary L. Kraft (2016-2019)
Christopher V. Rao (2012-2017)
Steven L. Miller Chair in Chemical Engineering
Huimin Zhao (2016–Present)
William H. and Janet G. Lycan Professor
Baron G. Peters (2020–Present)
William S. Hammack (2020–Present)
Paul J.A. Kenis (2013–2018)
Charles F. Zukoski (2000–2011)
Named Scholars
Centennial Scholar
Hyunjoon Kong (2013-2016)
Donald and Dolores Morris Faculty Scholar
William S. Hammack (2014–2016)
Donald and Dolores Morris Professorial Scholar
William S. Hammack (2018–)
Dow Chemical Faculty Scholar
David W. Flaherty (2012-2017)
Ying Diao (2015-2019)
Helen Corley Petit Scholar
Charles Sing (2020-2021)
Christopher V. Rao (2011-2012)
Paul J. A. Kenis (2007-2008)
Huimin Zhao (2006-2007)
Deborah E. Leckband (1999-2000)
I.C. Gunsalus Scholar
Simon A. Rogers (2022-2023)
Ying Diao (2021-2022)
Brendan A. Harley (2015-2016)
LAS Dean’s Distinguished Professorial Scholar
David W. Flaherty (2002)
Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Scholar
Diwakar Shukla (2021-2022)
Ying Diao (2020-2021)
University Scholar
Ying Diao (2023)
Paul J.A. Kenis (2011)
Huimin Zhao (2007)
Deborah E. Leckband (2001)
Steve Granick (1997)
Charles F. Zukoski (1994)
Thomas Hanratty* (1986)
Ray and Beverly Mentzer Faculty Scholar
Charles M. Schroeder (2015–2021)
Asterisk(*) indicates that the individual is deceased.