Ronald W. Rousseau, Cecil J. "Pete" Silas Chair in the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech, is the recipient of the 2013 Founders Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Chemical Engineering. The award is given on behalf of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' (AIChE) Board of Directors and recognizes AIChE members who have made a significant and notable impact on the field and have had a long, distinguished record of service to the profession.

After serving as chair of the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering for 27 years, Rousseau stepped down from the position in June 2013. His research has explored numerous areas related to separation processes, and particular emphasis has been given to phenomena influencing the characteristics of products from crystallization operations. This resulted in more than 190 journal articles, book chapters, and monographs, and more than 260 presentations at technical meetings and seminars for industry and universities.

He has received the Warren K. Lewis Award from AIChE; the Clarence G. Gerhold Award from the Separations Division of AIChE; and the Forest Products Award from the Forest Products Division of AIChE. He is a Fellow of both AIChE and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and is a member of the LSU Engineering Hall of Distinction. On the occasion of the AIChE Centennial, he was cited by AIChE as one of thirty authors of groundbreaking chemical engineering books.

Presentation of this award will take place at the Institute’s Honors Ceremony, held during AIChE’s 2013 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California. The ceremony is scheduled for the evening of Sunday, November 3.