Biomaterials; Drug and Gene Delivery; Nanomedicine; Pharmaceutical Engineering

‌Reactor Engineering; Transport-Kinetic Integration; Advanced Measurement and Computational Techniques

Molecular simulations of biological molecules at liquid/solid interfaces, light and neutron scattering of biological molecules, the molecular basis of disease, purification of biomacromolecules

Surface Characterization of Adsorbents and Catalysts; Applications of Fractal Geometry to Surface Morphology

Engineering Education Pedagogies; Sustainable Solutions to Practical Problems

Interfacial transport phenomena - dynamic contact angles, solubilization kinetics, electrodeposition

Chemistry of Materials for Sustainable Infrastructure, Energy and Enviroment: Design, Synthesis and Characterization

Dr. Okoronkwo's research efforts are directed towards understanding the composition-structure-processing-property relationship of materials, and the application of a combined computational and experimental approach to design, synthesize, and develop new materials that deliver improved performance and sustainability. His research thrust areas include:

• Advanced polymers for sustainable infrastructure
• Nanocomposites and functional materials for environmental remediation
• Hydration, microstructure development, and durability of cement-based materials
• Cement-chemical admixture interactions
• Rheology of cement-based materials and comples fluids
• Waste immobilization and wastewater treatment
• CO₂ conversion and utilization
  
• Mechanism and control of deterioration reactions in concrete
• Micorporous materials, inorganic electrides, and energy materials

Adsorption, Energy Efficient Separation Processes, Process Design, Modeling and Optimization

Hybrid energy systems, Fuels combustion and gasification, Industrial gas flare design, operation, and regulation, Process modeling, monitoring, control, and operation

Medical Devices and Diagnostics, Glass Science

Composite Nanoparticles, Complex Fluids, Porous Media, Food Engineering, Biomolecular Transport and adsorption, Molecular Modeling and Simulation Methodologies

Discovery of Biomarkers in TBI and Ocular Diseases; Analytical Chemistry

Haider is a chemical engineer. He received his master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq and his Ph.D from the Missouri University of Science and Technology. He has gained valuable experience relating to hybrid energy systems, biomass gasification, biodigestion, and Carbon Black production. Haider currently works as a senior researcher in the Chemical; and Biochemical Engineering department at Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Senior Process Engineer at Elevated Analytics Consulting.

Water management, conformance control, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), CO2 EOR and Storage, fluid flow in porous media, and
unconventional oil and gas development.

For additional information regarding Dr. Bai's research, please visit his website, or select here for publications.

Development of versatile new drug delivery technologies with unprecedented therapeutic activity and specificity, developing new polymeric materials, theranostics, and regenerative medicine.

Education:

BS ChE 1987, University of Missouri-Rolla

MBA 2000, Washington University

Brian started his career with the Ethyl Corporation in Wood River, Illinois where he worked as a Process Engineer. While there he completed process designs for $22 million in capital expansion projects, including two automation systems. From 1992-2002, Brian worked for Afton Chemical (formerly Ethyl Corporation). He progressed from Project Engineer to Senior Area Operations Supervisor to Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager/IT & Automation Manager. While with Afton, Brian developed statistical techniques for improving safety performance, reducing the plant’s recordable injury rate to the lowest in ten years. He improved the plant’s emergency response systems, including a comprehensive security upgrade and he was responsible for budgeting and cost management. In 2002, Brian went to work for Coviden Healthcare (formerly Tyco Healthcare-Mallinckrodt). He started as a director of Health, Safety and Environmental where he was responsible for all health, safety, security, and environmental programs at a major chemical production facility. In 2004, Brian was promoted to Manager – Operational Excellence where he was responsible for directing Sigma Six and Lean implementation and coached 52 Sigma Six/Lean candidates and managed two direct reports. In 2007, Brian was promoted again to Manager – Operational Excellence (DFSS) where he directed Design for Six Sigma implementation at the global business unit level for Imaging Solutions research and development.

Molecular Modeling for Bioseparation Applications

Education:

BS ChE 1984, University of Missouri-Rolla

MS MatSci & Eng 1990, Washing University in St. Louis

DS ChE 1996, Washington University in St. Louis

After graduating from the University of Missouri - Rolla in 1984, Robin began her career working for McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems Company in St. Louis, Missouri, as a Design Engineer, Specialist, working for their Low Observable Technology, Advanced Cruise Missile division. Robin worked for McDonnell Douglas from 1985 to 1991 working her way up to Design Engineer, Senior Specialist in both their Tacit Rainbow and Harpoon Missile divisions. She moved on from McDonnell Douglas to become a Co-Owner/Project Manager at Shepard Civil Engineering in St. Charles, Missouri from 2003 - 2009.

Robin served as an Adjunct Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri since 1996, where she is also a Faculty Advisor for the student chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), with an ongoing project at the Mekelle School for the Blind in Ethiopia.

Robin is President/Owner of Shepard Safety LLC, established in 2007, a company that specializes in safety training and education. Currently, Robin spends time traveling throughout Missouri bringing safety training to city and county employees.

Robin has received many awards throughout her career, including being inducted into Missouri S&T Women's Hall of Fame in March 2010.

Robin and her husband, Kevin, and two of her three sons reside in St. Peters, Missouri. The oldest son, Alex, a graduate of S&T lives with his wife (also an S&T graduate) in St. Louis.

Education:

BS ChE 1981, University of Missouri-Rolla

MS ChE 1991, University of Missouri-Rolla

Ph.D. ChE 1993, University of Missouri-Rolla

After graduation, Keith began his career with Mallinckrodt Specialty Chemicals Company in St. Louis, Missouri. He started as a process in organics and inorganics manufacturing units, including specialty industrial chemicals as well as FDA-validated medical products. In August of 1989, Keith returned to the University of Missouri-Rolla as a full-time graduate student. He was supported by two industrial fellowships and a Department of Education Fellowship. In January 1994, Keith began working for Mallinckrodt Chemicals, Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri. He started as a process development engineer in synthetic peptides, and bulk narcotic drug manufacturing. He invented a novel multi-kilogram solid-phase synthesis reactor, developed a project scope for a multi-kilogram peptide manufacturing facility. In 1996, he was promoted to Principal Process Development Engineer. Keith developed over $5,000,000 worth of cost reductions in two existing products and developed a crystallization process for a potent compound that allowed the elimination of the milling step. In 2007, Keith was promoted to Technical Fellow. In addition to his other duties, he is currently serving as core team leader for site Chemical Reactivity Hazards Team, and he is helping develop site policies on hazardous reactions, including emergency relief sizing.

Rhizosphere microbiology/ Antibacterial materials/ Microbiology education