DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

Dorothy Skaf, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, works with a student in the lab.

Villanova’s Chemical and Biological Engineering Department prepares students to design processes and develop technologies that improve human health, protect the environment and drive innovation across industries—from pharmaceuticals and alternative energy to petrochemicals and manufacturing.

CBE students and faculty collaborate closely to tackle real-world challenges—developing drug-delivery systems, advancing tissue engineering, creating clean energy solutions and reimagining how materials and biological systems can be engineered for the good of society. Key areas of focus include pharmaceutical production, cell therapy, biotechnology, bulk chemicals, polymers and fuels.

Supported by hands-on lab experiences, undergraduate research and strong industry connections, Villanova Chemical and Biological Engineering students graduate with the technical knowledge, collaborative mindset and ethical foundation to make a meaningful impact in both emerging and traditional sectors of the field.

CONTACT US

Department Chair
Dr. Chris Kitchens
Professor

Phone: 610-519-5498

Email: chris.kitchens@villanova.edu

VILLANOVA ENGINEERING

FEATURED FACULTY

WEIJIAN DIAO, PHD

WEIJIAN DIAO, PHD

Before joining the Villanova Engineering faculty in spring 2021, Assistant Professor Weijian Diao was a research associate professor at the University of South Carolina and prior to that served as a postdoctoral researcher at Idaho National Laboratory. Dr. Diao teaches a course in Chemical Reactor Engineering and his research focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials, rational catalyst synthesis and renewable energy application. MORE...

VITO PUNZI, PHD

VITO PUNZI, PHD

Professor and director of Chemical Engineering graduate studies, Vito Punzi teaches introductory courses along with electives including Industrial Liquid and Solid Waste Treatment and Catholic Social Teaching for Engineers. One of his ongoing research areas is the theoretical and applied aspects of traditional chemical engineering separation processes that can be used in drinking water, industrial wastewater and hazardous waste treatment. MORE...

NOELLE COMOLLI, PHD

NOELLE COMOLLI, PHD

Associate Professor Noelle Comolli teaches in the areas of polymers, biomaterials, engineering design and professional development for PhD students. As director of the Polymeric Biomaterials Lab, she focuses on applications in the design of new drug delivery vehicles and cell capture and purification. MORE...

Visiting Assistant Professor Ron Ozer has decades of expertise in renewable chemistry and biofuels, catalysis and reaction engineering, distillation, workstream development and scale-up from lab to pilot plant. In addition to his own consulting firm, he spent years as a principal investigator at DuPont. At Villanova he teaches Chemical Engineering lab and a course in Heat Transfer. MORE...

DEPARTMENT NEWS

CBA-GP Recognizes College of Engineering and Dr. Jacky Huang

CBA-GP Recognizes College of Engineering and Dr. Jacky Huang

At its second-anniversary celebration, the Chinese Biopharmaceutical Association–Greater Philadelphia honored Villanova’s College of Engineering with the Legacy Award and Zuyi (Jacky) Huang, PhD, with the Dedicated Leadership Award for their contributions to biopharmaceutical collaboration.

Villanova Engineering Launches Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering

Villanova Engineering Launches Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering

The interdisciplinary program, which will be available to students starting in Fall 2024, involves the application of engineering to address challenges in medicine and health care for societal needs.

Lauren Iskander (L) and Sophia Pellechia (R) have been selected for Fulbright-MITACS Globalink awards.

Chemical Engineering Student Chosen for Fulbright-MITACS Globalink Canada

Lauren Iskander (left) of West Orange, N.J., will be conducting research at Polytechnique Montréal, where she will develop implantable neuromodulation interventions to improve hand movements after paralysis.