Chemical and life science engineering students receive 2025 National Scholarship Award
By Jena Salem
Two undergraduate students from the College of Engineering’s Department of Chemical & Life Science Engineering were honored with prestigious national scholarships from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).
Sarah White, president of the college’s student chapter of AIChE, won the John J. Mcketta Undergraduate Scholarship Award. This is a competitive prize given to upper-class students interested in chemical engineering process industries who demonstrate leadership and impact as a member of their AIChE student chapter. An exemplary student, White recently completed a process engineering internship at Evonik, and accepted a full-time position as a technical sales engineer with Solenis where she interned last summer.
Ashley Kang, vice president of our student chapter, earned the Donald F. & Mildred Topp Othmer Scholarship Award. Only 10-15 students are eligible nationally each year. The scholarship’s criteria is based on academic achievement, showcasing excellent leadership skills in their student chapter, and evaluation of a career essay. Kang completed a research and development internship with Haleon and conducted research with Leah Spangler, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Chemical & Life Science Engineering. Currently, she is applying for Ph.D. programs in the cross section of chemical engineering with biology.
Both students will attend AIChE national conferences in Boston, Massachusetts this October to receive their awards.
The Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. From delving into the intricacies of pharmaceutical manufacturing to exploring the effects of climate change through heat studies, our students pursue a diverse range of cutting-edge research topics. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Chemical & Life Science Engineering, Student Stories, Undergraduate Student Stories