Rochester Engineering Society Magazine April 2022

2021 Kate Gleason Young Engineer of the Year Andrew D. White, PhD

Associate Professor University of Rochester

Education: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, BS of Chemical Engineering, 2007

University of Washington, PhD of Chemical Engineering, 2013

How have you used your engineering skills for community and professional leadership? I continuously learn and innovate in how we teach engineering to undergraduate and high school students. I've also worked towards advancing the use of AI in my discipline by authoring textbooks, chairing conferences, teaching new classes, and writing publications.

What do you consider your greatest engineering achievement? I helped design an anti-fouling coating made entirely from biodegradable and naturally occurring compounds. This coating has been applied for biological implants, drug design, and detecting cancer biomarkers. The compound was designed by understanding how nature solves this problem.

Describe a key event or individual that had a profound effect on your career. I studied abroad for one year in Magdeburg, Germany and all my junior-year core chemical engineering classes were taught in German. I experienced what it was like to struggle with language and culture.

What advice would you give to our scholarship recipients? Being a good engineer is not only about technical skills. Engineering is being able to identify problems, collaborating with people, and communicating your solutions.

Articulate your vision for engineering in Rochester. Engineering in Rochester should grow to be more diverse and inclusive. We require a better understanding of how society is affected by our decisions and the ethics that guide those decisions. This means including engineers from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

2021 Kate Gleason Young Engineer of the Year Andrew D. White, PhD, Associate Professor University of Rochester