Today’s Chen Scholarship Winners are Tomorrow’s Versatile Leaders

Recently, 2020 John C. Chen Endowment for Young Professional Leadership recipient, Shelby Mills, facilitated a conversation with recent recipients Lucia G. Brunel (2022) and Milad Abolhasani (2021).

They were joined by John’s wife, Kathy Chen, also a chemical engineer (MSChE – Lehigh University) who spearheaded the establishment of the award to recognize his dedication to his students. “Throughout John’s life, he was committed to the next generation and shared how integral to his professional and personal goals was being an active and involved AIChE member”, said Kathy.

Receiving complimentary registration for the Annual Meeting as a Chen Awardee helped me stay connected to friends and peers – in person! - Milad Abolhasani, Associate Professor - NC State

Lucia, now a fifth-year PhD candidate at Stanford University, shared that during her undergraduate days at Northwestern she had the opportunity to volunteer as a member of the student chapter’s executive board and the importance of maintaining early connections, even as you venture into a career. Presently she is a research assistant in Professor Sarah Heilshorn's biomaterials lab, working in bioprinting.

“Attending the Annual Meeting gave me the opportunity to reconnect with peers in person, offering perspective as I pursue my PhD and decide what’s next. The Chen Award gave me so much. Accessing leadership development through AIChE Academy’s PEAK Leadership program was VERY helpful in providing guidance on my career and helping me identify what fulfills and satisfies me as I progress in my professional journey”, said Lucia.

That’s a common theme with Chen Awardees.

Milad noted that he maintains a diverse network ranging from his days as a student to now his work as an associate professor at NC State. “Receiving complimentary registration for the Annual Meeting as a Chen Awardee helped me stay connected to friends and peers – in person!”

He continued, “Lucia is absolutely right about PEAK Leadership. It was really helpful to receive credentialed training in non-technical topics that would let me be a better teacher and mentor to my students. I hope I can help continue John’s impact in that way.”

Kathy closed with, “I’m always struck by how varied the work, experience and interests are of each of the Chen Awardees and greatly appreciate that you’re committed to continued education, collaboration and community that bring together diverse perspectives.”

Interested in cultivating and recognizing emerging professional leaders, consider making a gift to the John C. Chen Endowment.