Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky was established in 1995 through the merger of the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Faculty members in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering have forged a highly-collaborative environment for research and education.

Chemical Engineering

The breadth and flexibility of chemical engineering enables graduates to work on some of the most exciting and demanding challenges presented by areas as diverse as energy generation and sustainability; environmental protection; medicine and biotechnology; transportation and housing!

Explore Chemical Engineering at UK

B.S., M.S., Ph.D., programs offered
Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering Certificate available
2 Campuses - Lexington and Paducah
Groundbreaking research opportunities

Materials Science & Engineering

Breakthrough technologies require more than just rearranging or reshaping the parts and materials already available to us. Solving societal problems, both big and small, by revolutionizing what’s possible requires new materials with transformational properties and capabilities.

Explore Materials Science & Engineering at UK

B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs offered
Advanced Materials Characterization Certificate available
Less than a 10:1 Student to Faculty Ratio
Collaborative and cross-disciplinary research

CheMat Faculty

Faculty members in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering have forged a highly-collaborative environment for research and education. Chemical and materials engineering faculty interact on a range of multi-disciplinary research projects that encompass collaborations with faculty across campus.

View dept faculty

CME Alumni

We maintain a strong relationship with our chemical engineering alumni and encourage them to keep in touch with us. Stay connected by filling out our alumni information form, or send updates directly to our department chair, Tom Dziubla, at thomas.dziubla@uky.edu.

Stay connected

News

Pigman College of Engineering inducts 2025 class into Hall of Distinction

Apr 25, 2025

Initiated in 1992, the Hall of Distinction recognizes and honors UK Engineering alumni for exemplary professional accomplishments, outstanding character and an ongoing commitment to community service. Every member of the Hall of Distinction is honored with a plaque in the lobby of the Ralph G. Anderson Mechanical Engineering Building. All members and extended bios are listed here.

Whaley places second in AIChE competition

Apr 1, 2025

Hannah Whaley, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, placed second in the 2025 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) International Congress on Sustainability Science and Engineering (ICOSSE) student presentation competition.

Chawatko, Escobar and Klein, honored as UK 2025 Great Teacher Award winners

Meredith Weber and Steve Shaffer

Mar 5, 2025

Through nominations and testimonials, the UK Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Award honors educators who inspire, challenge and support their students.

Qing Shao in office in front of computer screen

UK researcher using AI to unravel proteins, advance medical research

Dec 19, 2024

How can artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionize the fight against some of the world’s most devastating diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s? At the University of Kentucky, one researcher is harnessing the power of AI to uncover answers that could transform treatment, improve outcomes and give hope to millions.

Ifrah Hammad alongside her research poster at Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering student named one of two winners at Future Leaders in Chemical Engineering

Nov 1, 2024

Ifrah Hammad, chemical engineering senior, was named Best Soundbite winner at the national award symposium for undergraduate researchers.

From UK Beam Institute student to Jim Beam engineer

Sep 30, 2024

Alex Mayes, 2021 chemical engineering graduate, is one of many UK students to receive the Distilling, Wine and Brewing Studies Certificate (DWB) from University of Kentucky James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI). He has been a process engineer at Jim Beam for more than three years now.

View all news

Creation of a Femoral Spacer Mold Project

Pigman College of Engineering hosts first ever Capstone Design Showcase

Apr 29, 2025

On April 28, the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering hosted its first ever Capstone Design Showcase in the Gatton Student Center. The event showcased 56 Capstone projects from over 200 students from seven engineering disciplines. Featured disciplines were biomedical engineering, biosystems and agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, engineering technology and materials engineering.

DOE funds UK research on critical materials for commercial fusion energy

Lindsay Travis

Mar 4, 2025

The University of Kentucky has been selected to lead a project with $2.3 million in funding over four years from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to develop next-generation materials critical to commercializing fusion power.

Headshots of the eight faculty selected as Lighthouse Beacon Scholars

8 faculty and 8 graduate students named Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholars

Sep 30, 2024

Established in 2024, the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Endowment supports faculty, research, graduate students, facilities and research infrastructure in the Pigman College of Engineering. In its inaugural year, the endowment has made $160,000 in funds available for distribution, with a priority on faculty and research scholar support.