 As
Department Chair, I am always pleased to share good news with
you and to encourage your involvement in our program. Much of
our good news involves change – new people, evolving programs,
and a growing mission. For example, of our 14 faculty members,
seven have joined the department in the last seven years. These
new faculty members have developed new courses, new
linkages with industry and other partners, and new
research programs.As the landscape in the manufacturing
industries continues to change all around us, we have chosen to
expand and modify our courses, personnel, facilities, research,
and outreach activities to establish ourselves as a Chemical and
Biological Engineering Department. We have formed an alliance
with the newly formed Institute of Molecular Biophysics (IMB),
which brings to us partnerships with The Jackson Laboratory
(TJL) and Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI).
New research directions in bioprocessing, biosensors, and
molecular biophysics give students opportunities to do research
at the interface between engineering and the biological
sciences. We continue to build on our research strengths in the
surface and interface science.
Taking us beyond paper and plastic, we are also taking lead
in advancing the forest bio-refinery, to convert wood residue to
energy, fuels, and chemicals, for the industry of the future. We
attract outstanding students, and we are committed to making a
broad range of traditional and non-traditional careers available
to our graduates. We are well equipped to address the needs of a
diverse portfolio of paper, specialty chemicals, advance
materials, pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology sectors.
Hemant P. Pendse
Department Chair |
