AIChE Recognizes 16 Leaders and Innovators in Chemical Engineering

The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) has announced 16 leaders and innovators in chemical engineering who will receive the 2026 Institute and Board of Directors' Awards. These honorees were selected for their substantial contributions to research, education, industrial practice, and service to the profession.

The awards ceremony will take place during the 2026 AIChE Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from November 8-12. These honors represent AIChE's highest recognitions, acknowledging individuals whose work has advanced chemical engineering and benefited society.

Among the distinguished recipients are Dr. Nicholas Peppas of The University of Texas at Austin, receiving the F. J. and Dorothy Van Antwerpen Award for Service to AIChE, and Dr. Liang-Shih Fan from The Ohio State University, honored with the Founders Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Chemical Engineering. Other notable recipients include Dr. Rong Yang from Cornell University for publications by a young member, Dr. Samir Mitragotri from Harvard University for chemical engineering research, and Dr. Kenneth Hanley from 3M for industry leadership.

The awards also recognize achievements in industrial research and development, gas technology, service to society and sustainability, and contributions to chemical engineering literature and education. AIChE's 2026 President, Anne O'Neal, stated that the honorees' accomplishments reflect the imagination and ingenuity that continue to advance the profession, expressing pride in recognizing their leadership and lasting impact.