ChemE Graduate Seminar Series: Stephanie Wettstein
Solvent effects and data-driven strategies for 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid production from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Stephanie Wettstein
Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Montana State University
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
4-5 p.m.
PAA A110
Abstract
The transition to renewable carbon sources requires new catalytic and separation strategies for
producing polymer precursors from biomass. Polyethylene furanoate (PEF) is a biobased plastic that can be produced from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). One promising pathway is the oxidation of 5 hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a key monomer for the bio-based plastic polyethylene furanoate (PEF). However, FDCA production is often limited by low solubility in aqueous systems and reduced yields over traditional oxidation catalysts.
Recent work has shown that organic solvents can significantly improve FDCA solubility and reaction performance, yet solvent selection has largely relied on empirical “guess-and-check”…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Physics-Astronomy Auditorium (PAA). Campus room: PAA A110. Accessibility Contact: dso@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
ChemE Graduate Seminar Series: Seu Sim
Molecular Assembly of Living and Lifelike Materials
Seu Sim
University of California Irvine Department of Chemistry
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
4-5 p.m.
PAA A110
Abstract
The Sim Lab creates and studies living and lifelike soft materials through molecularly programmed self-assembly of synthetic polymers and engineered biological components. Self-assembly is how nature seamlessly integrates cellular functionalities with complex structures of materials. For example, plants, even a 300-foot-tall giant sequoia tree, are able to grow from a small seed because cellular division is coupled with material growth through self-assembly processes. The precision and specificity of chemical dialogues within these materials enable controlled growth, response, function, and adaptation characteristics, which are lacking in synthetic materials. In this presentation, I will introduce our studies in creating new types of living materials through molecularly programmed self-assembly of synthetic polymers with engineered cells and…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Physics-Astronomy Auditorium (PAA). Campus room: PAA A110. Accessibility Contact: dso@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
ChemE Graduate Seminar Series: Yomaira Pagán Torres
Tuning heterogeneous catalytic materials for selective CO2 hydrogenation to C1 chemicals
Yomaira Pagán-Torres
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez
Tuesday, May 5
4-5 p.m.
PAA A110
Abstract
The thermal catalytic conversion of CO2 to C1 chemicals (CO, CH4, CH3OH) offers a promising route for carbon utilization; however, controlling product selectivity remains a central challenge due to the complexity of the reaction network. Supported metal on oxide and mixed-metal oxide catalysts have been extensively studied for CO2 hydrogenation. Product selectivity in these systems is governed by factors including metal and oxide particle size, metal dispersion, and metal/oxide interface structure. Despite significant progress, strategies to dynamically tune the metal/oxide interface structure to achieve desired product selectivity have yet to be established.
We have developed strategies to control metal speciation and surface chemical potential using Rh-doped perovskites as…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Physics-Astronomy Auditorium (PAA). Campus room: PAA A110. Accessibility Contact: dso@uw.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Chair's Distinguished Lecture: Huimin Zhao, Ph.D.
Biology by Design: From Directed Evolution to Autonomous Experimentation
Huimin Zhao, Ph.D.
Steven L. Miller Chair, Professor
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
4-5 p.m.
PAA A110
Reception with light snacks and beverages will follow the seminar in the Benson Hall (BNS) Lobby.
Abstract Synthetic biology aims to apply engineering principles to design novel or improved biological systems for a wide range of biotechnological and biomedical applications. However, due to the complexity of biology, it remains an overwhelming challenge to rationally design biological systems with desired features. In this talk, I will reflect my over three-decades of academic journey to tackle this challenge and highlight the paradigm shift from directed evolution to autonomous experimentation. Specifically, I will discuss a few representative case studies, including: (a) design and evolutionary engineering of artificial photoenzymes with new-to-nature reactivity…
Event interval: Single day event. Campus location: Physics-Astronomy Auditorium (PAA). Campus room: PAA A110. Accessibility Contact: dso.@u.washington.edu. Event Types: Lectures/Seminars. Target Audience: Graduate Students, Undergraduate students, Postdocs, Faculty.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Memorial Day
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Spring. Event Types: Academics.
Monday, May 25, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Juneteenth
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Summer. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, June 19, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu. Independence Day (Observed)
Holidays
No classes. Most University offices and buildings are closed. Check with specific offices to confirm.
Event interval: Single day event. Year: 2026. Quarter: Summer. Event Types: Academics.
Friday, July 3, 2026.
For more info visit www.washington.edu.