The American Institute of Chemical Engineers Board of Directors has appointed Professor JoAnn Lighty a fellow of AIChE, the highest grade of membership. One of nine fellows elected recently, Lighty was nominated by U of U Chemical Engineering Presidential Professor Jost Wendt, also an AIChE fellow.
Lighty was awarded the honor for her outstanding professional accomplishments and contributions as a senior member of chemical engineering in “recognition of professional attainment, and significant accomplishment in engineering.” Founded in 1908, AIChE is the world’s leading organization for chemical engineering professionals with members in over 90 countries.
On the faculty at the University of Utah since 1988, Lighty is also chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Formerly, she was associate dean for academic affairs in the Dean’s office for nine years. Her research interest include air pollution from combustion systems, fate of metals during incineration, particulate matter characterization, soot formation and oxidation.
Lighty is currently involved in the Center for the Simulation of Accidental Fires and Explosions (C-SAFE), a National Science Foundation, Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) award focused on the formation of soot from diesel engines, and a strategic Environmental Research and Development Project studying soot oxidation under fuel-lean conditions. She received the SWE Distinguished Engineering Educator award in 2004, Utah Engineering Educator of the Year Award in 2001 and has been on several national and university committees, including: Environmental Protection Agency; Science Advisory Board Environmental Engineering Committee and Subcommittee on Particle Monitoring; Presidential Commission on the Status of Women for the University of Utah; and the MESA/STEP Advisory Board.