Professor and Chair Sheryl H. Ehrman
About Dr. Ehrman Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles 1997
Her work as both an educator and a researcher have previously earned her a 2001 NSF CAREER award; a Fulbright Research Scholar Award, which helped fund her sabbatical at IIT during the 2006-07 academic year; and the Clark School's 2006 E. Robert Kent Outstanding Teaching Award for Junior Faculty. In 2007 she was selected to be a Keystone Professor for her dedication to excellence in the teaching of fundamental engineering courses. Visit the P2OWDER Group lab site » Current Research Dr. Ehrman has developed a research program focusing on formation, characterization, and processing of dry particles (aerosols). The P2OWDER Group studies particles and particle-based materials, developing processes to make materials with tailored properties. The group partners or has partnered with others, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Army Research Laboratory, to test the performance of some of these materials. Applications include catalysts for energy conversion, nanoscale size standards, solar cells and biomedical imaging.
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Q&A with Dr. Ehrman What is chemical and biomolecular engineering? Chemical and biomolecular engineers focus on the interface between molecular sciences and engineering. Our efforts result in new products, improvements to existing products, and advancements in processing that benefits people and the environment. Why should young engineers consider chemical and biomolecular engineering for their field of study? There are so many opportunities available to them once they graduate. Our students have gone on to traditional chemical engineering positions with oil and chemical companies but they have also found great positions with pharmaceutical, biotech, environmental consulting and advanced materials companies. In a time when many people are concerned about globalization, it's important to realize that chemical manufacturing is big business in the US and much of these products are exported to other countries. According to the American Chemistry Council as reported in the April 2010 issue of Chemical Engineering Progress, between 1999 and 2009, the number of export related jobs in the US increased by 22%. Chemical and biomolecular engineering also provides an excellent foundation for further professional education such as law school or medical school. Why is the Clark School a good place for students (graduate or undergraduate) to study chemical and biomolecular engineering? Our department is a great size. We're large enough to offer a good variety of electives in different ChBE areas, yet we're small enough so that most of the professors will know you by name once you graduate. Also, most faculty have opportunities for undergraduate students in their labs, so if you want to try research, this is easy to arrange. At the graduate level, we have a nice mix of students who all get along very well. Because of the other laboratories in the area, there are many opportunities for collaborative projects, and access to specialized facilities is great. |
Dr. Ehrman joined the Clark School and ChBE faculty in 1998, and later became an affiliate faculty member in both the Chemical Physics Program and the Graduate Program in Bioengineering. Dr. Ehrman has developed a research program focusing on formation, characterization, and processing of dry particles (aerosols). The P2OWDER Group studies particles and particle-based materials, developing processes to make materials with tailored properties. The group partners or has partnered with others, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Army Research Laboratory, to test the performance of some of these materials. Applications include catalysts for energy conversion, nanoscale size standards, solar cells and biomedical imaging.
