Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
At the intersection of innovation and discovery, Penn’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) redefines what’s possible in science and technology. Our programs are designed to empower students to tackle global challenges—from sustainable energy solutions to groundbreaking biomedical advancements. Here, transformative research and interdisciplinary collaboration spark solutions that shape the future.
From reaction engineering to advanced materials and biopharmaceutical development, our curriculum blends rigorous theory with hands-on research opportunities. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration, students are prepared to innovate and lead in academia, industry, and beyond.
Congratulations to Professor Rob Riggleman on being named a 2026 Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), an honor recognizing exceptional contributions to physics and service to the physics community.
Professor Riggleman was recognized for his work revealing how molecular structure and dynamics govern the behavior of polymer glasses and nanocomposites, and for developing simulation methods that connect molecular-scale insights with real-world materials behavior.
Congratulations to Professor Daeyeon Lee on receiving Penn Engineering’s 2026-27 George H. Heilmeier Faculty Award for Excellence in Research!
Professor Lee was recognized for advances in understanding and harnessing interfacial phenomena in soft matter and biomaterials, with applications spanning energy, sustainability, and human health.
Professor Vojvodic and her team are helping advance clean hydrogen fuel production by uncovering how iridium oxide catalysts degrade at the atomic scale during water splitting. Their findings could guide the design of longer-lasting, more efficient catalysts that use less of this rare material.
Click here to read more.
We mourn the passing of Arthur E. Humphrey, former Professor in Chemical Engineering, longtime Department Chair and the inaugural Dean of Penn Engineering, who passed away on March 21, 2026, at the age of 98. A pioneer in biochemical engineering and a visionary academic leader, Dean Humphrey helped shape the direction of both the CBE department and the School for generations to come.
Click here to learn more about Dean Humphrey’s legacy.
Congratulations to Professor Karen Winey for being elected to the National Academy of Engineering!
NAE members are among the nation’s most accomplished engineering leaders, and election to the NAE is one of the highest professional honors for engineers in the U.S.
Congratulations to Professor Winey for achieving this prestigious honor.
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