WPI’s PhD in Chemical Engineering program brings you to the front and center of widely recognized global work in chemical engineering and related fields. You’ll have immediate access to advanced technologies, processes, and pioneering faculty providing core support in molecular bioengineering, sustainable energy, advanced functional materials, and catalysis, to name a few. You will join a diverse group of graduate students and because of WPI’s small size, you will have the opportunity to develop strong mentoring relationships with not only your primary faculty advisor but other faculty in the program. WPI has a long standing tradition of “research for a purpose” to address a societal need, so your work will have tangible impact. Because of WPI’s interdisciplinary research tradition, you will get the opportunity to explore topics outside of the box, preparing you to take on future challenges as a leader in the research community.
While pursing your PhD in Chemical Engineering at WPI, you’ll employ active learning and knowledge of up-to-date practices to solve diverse real-life problems in areas such as bioengineering, nanotechnology, environmental engineering, energy, catalysis, process control and safety. You’ll have your choice of courses to achieve your goals, with a multitude of electives offered within Chemical Engineering and in related departments such as Biology and Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Physics. Complete course descriptions and degree requirements are in the Course Catalog.
Graduate Student Professional Development
WPI is an emerging leader in graduate student professional development and offers a number of opportunities for graduate students to develop their interests and skills outside of a traditional research context. WPI’s Graduate School supports a robust Office of Professional Development and offers annual seminars and workshops as part of the STARS Program. The Chemical Engineering Department offers an annual Graduate Student Seminar Series where students explore creation and implementation of Individual Development Plans, meet industry experts as part of career panels, and present their research to both peers and
Research areas in Chemical Engineering:
A big advantage in WPI’s PhD in Chemical Engineering program is your access to cutting-edge facilities and labs for interdisciplinary research. From our main facilities in Goddard Hall and Gateway Park to our many research centers, you’ll join other researchers across disciplines to use specialized equipment and novel processes and technologies.
My research is in the general area of reaction engineering and energy, in particular steam reforming and hydrogen production. A strong component of this work is the use of scientific computing methods to investigate transport and reaction in chemical reactors and porous media.
My research involves educational scholarship: investigating how students learn chemical engineering and how the curriculum can be modified to optimize learning. That includes understanding learning in hands-on labs compared to virtual or remotely operated labs; learning in international contexts; and how safety, ethics, and social responsibility can be effectively integrated into the chemical engineering curriculum.
With your PhD in Chemical Engineering from WPI, you’ll be well-positioned to use your applied knowledge in leadership roles in industries from biotechnology to pharmaceuticals, or in a research-focused or teaching career in academia.
