UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 40, Page 2
August 29, 1996
Kaler to head chem. engineering

     Eric W. Kaler became chairperson of the Department of Chemical
Engineering July 1, succeeding Michael T. Klein. Kaler will provide
administrative leadership as faculty, staff and students move into the
new $22-million, wrap-around addition and renovated original building
during this fall semester.
     During the coordination of the construction, Kaler said he found
it was necessary that he be accessible to both construction and
University personnel. "It also was important," he said, "to
communicate the progress and related developments with all the members
of the department."
     The new chairperson said one of his goals will be the development
of a structured, long-range planning process that will include the
development of research areas, coordination and effectiveness of
teaching duties and equitable distribution and sharing of service
responsibilities. Another major project is the Oct. 4 formal
dedication of Colburn Laboratory.
     "Serving as chairperson is a nice honor," Kaler said, "but it
also brings an important obligation to maintain and grow in an
environment where excellence in teaching and research is recognized
and rewarded."
     Kaler joined the UD faculty in 1989, after seven years on the
chemical engineering faculty at the University of Washington. His
research interests focus on the study of thermodynamics,
microstructure and materials synthesis properties of complex fluids,
including micelles, microemulsions and vesicles. He also is involved
in the investigation of polymerization in complex fluids, colloidal
stability and surfactant phase behavior.
     He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses on
thermodynamics and upper-level courses on colloid science and
engineering.
     Kaler received his bachelor's degree in 1978 from the California
Institute of Technology and his doctorate in 1982 from the University
of Minnesota. He received a National Science Foundation Presidential
Young Investigator Award in 1984, and in 1995, he received the Curtis
W. McGraw Research Award from the American Society for Engineering
Education. Kaler was a visiting professor at Universitat Graz and
chaired the Chemistry at Interfaces Gordon Conference in 1994.
     The author of more than 100 reviewed papers and developer of five
U.S. patents, he is a member of several professional organizations and
on several editorial boards.
                                                         -Ed Okonowicz