The University of Houston student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) hosted the organization’s 2006 Southwest Regional Conference on April 7-9. The three-day event attracted more than 130 students from nine universities to participate in chemical engineering professional development and social activities.
“This event allows students from chapters around Texas and Louisiana to interact on a social level, while taking part in several educational activities,” said Elizabeth Nguyen, a senior majoring in chemical engineering and the conference's chair.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in local chemical plant tours and several professional-development workshops. Alumnus Jacob Collins (2001 BSChE) hosted a workshop outlining the various job opportunities available at NASA for chemical engineers. Greg Dykes, southern business unit leader at Marathon Oil in Houston, held a workshop detailing careers in the oil and gas industry. Workshops were also held introducing students to several higher educational pathways, coupling chemical engineering with degrees in law and business.
In addition to professional development activities, several students competed in regional competitions. The Cullen College of Engineering was represented in the student research paper competition, and the Chem-E-Car and poster competitions. Winners from each contest were recognized at the awards banquet, which included a keynote address from chemical engineering professor Michael Economides. Chemical engineering junior Romesh Patel placed third in the research paper competition and UH captured second place in the Chem-E-Car poster competition. Winners received cash prizes and will compete at the AIChE National Conference.
Sponsors for the event included Albemarle Corporation, BP, Fluor, Lyondell, Shell, ABB, Bectel, JE Jacobs Engineering, KBR, BASF, Marathon Oil, Bailey Petroleum, Dow, ExxonMobil, Total, Bayer, Flint Hills Resources, Schlumberger, Air Liquide and Rohm Hass. Many of these sponsors attended the conference's job fair to interact with and interview students.