Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Merge

Parallel interests and the natural evolution of the two disciplines has led to the merger of two departments of the Viterbi School — the chemical engineering department and materials science — into a single unit.
 
The merger, effective July 1, 2005, will accelerate the two departments’ already impressive progress, according to Dean Yannis Yortsos. 

 

“We believe that this fusion will create a great deal of new synergy to the work of the faculty previously in the two departments, enlarge the visibility of their exceptional research, and increase resources for even greater growth,” Yortsos said.
Professor Theodore Tsotsis, Vivian Chair in Energy Resources at USC, will chair the new Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. A key member of the Viterbi faculty for the last 25 years, Tsotsis will hold the position for a three-year term ending June 30, 2008.

Tsotsis holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Since joining USC, he has done groundbreaking research in chemical reaction engineering, catalysis and membrane reactors.

“One of Theo’s first priorities will be to work with the faculty in the very near future to formulate a blueprint of the administrative, educational and research structure for the new department,” Yortsos said.

“I am very optimistic that with Theo’s leadership, the combined department, with its innovative research and educational programs in chemical engineering, materials science and petroleum engineering, will flourish and become among the elite departments in the nation in these important research areas,” he added.

Theodore Tsotsis

 

Useful Links:

• Memo Announcing the Merger
• Chemical Engineering Site*
• Materials Science Site*