8:11 a.m., May 5, 2009----Dion Vlachos has been named the Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware, effective March 1, 2009.

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Vlachos, who earned his doctorate at the University of Minnesota, joined the UD faculty in 2000 and was named director of the Center for Catalytic Science and Technology in 2008. He is an internationally recognized leader in the field of multiscale modeling of complex processes, including energy conversion, film growth, nucleation, and biological systems.

Vlachos has published some 180 refereed journal papers and seven book chapters, and he has delivered more than 130 invited lectures at locations throughout the world.

His research has been supported by a number of agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Most recently, a research group led by Vlachos was selected to receive a multi-million-dollar grant from DOE to establish an Energy Frontiers Research Center (EFRC) focusing on the development of innovative catalytic technologies for the efficient conversion of biomass such as trees and grasses into chemicals, electricity, and fuels.

Vlachos also currently heads a major NSF-funded effort to develop a nanoscale materials design framework and a DOE grant to identify low-cost, nano-sized catalysts that can spur the chemical conversion of liquid fuels into hydrogen for applications ranging from powering cars to heating homes.

“Being appointed a named professor is one of the highest honors a faculty member can achieve,” said Provost Dan Rich, “and Dion Vlachos exemplifies the criteria for this honor, which includes outstanding scholarship and teaching as well as distinguished service to the University and community. He is an internationally known researcher and educator in the field of catalysis and distributed energy, and his research interests reflect the evolving nature of science and engineering in the twenty-first century, as he extends his work in multiscale modeling into the emerging fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology.”

The named professorship honors Elizabeth Inez Kelley, who attended the Delaware Women's College and later graduated from Drexel Institute of Technology. For many years, she served as assistant and private secretary to the president of Merck Chemical Company.

“I am sincerely honored to be part of a very distinguished group of faculty of the University with this appointment,” Vlachos said. “My deep appreciation goes to my colleagues, students, postdocs, and family for all their longstanding support.”

Article by Diane Kukich