Associate Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ  85721

Phone:  (520) 626-5319  Fax:  (520) 621-6048

E-mail:  blowers@email.arizona.edu

Degrees: 

Ph.D.      Chemical Engineering, 1999, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dissertation Title:  Engineering Approximations for Chemical Kinetics

M.S.        Chemical Engineering, 1997, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Topic:  Origins of activation barriers for ligand transfer reactions

B.S.         Chemical Engineering, 1994, Michigan State University, High Honors, Honors College Degree

Academic Experience:

2006-Present     Associate Professor

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

1999-2006       Assistant Professor

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

1999                   Visiting Lecturer

University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

1994-1997

Led 6 discussion sessions, acted as senior design liaison

Consulting Experience:

Member of Enviropolis web of experts on chemical and environmental issues.

Related Work Experience:

1993-1994:      Laboratory Research Assistant

Michigan State University (Dr. Kris Berglund)

1991-1993:      Eastman Kodak Company Co-Op, 5 work rotations

Honors: 

• Campus Advising Award from the National ACademic ADvising Association (NACADA) for 2008.
• American Society for Engineering Education Pacific Southwest Region Outstanding Teacher of the Year, 2006.
• Outstanding Scientific Presentation, for outstanding scientific content, significance, and originality - X. Zheng and P. Blowers, The Application of a Composite Energy Method to n-Butyl Radical beta-scission Reaction Kinetic Estimations, 10th Electronic Computational Chemistry Conference, April 2005, eccc.monmouth.edu (last accessed 5-12-05). 
• ASEE Pacific Southwestern Region Engineering Educator of the Year (2006).
• Award for Excellence at the Student Interface, The University of Arizona, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. 
• Prokasy Award for Teaching Excellence, University of Illinois, College award, 1997. 
• University of Illinois School of Chemical Sciences Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1995 and 1996. 
• Named to the "Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students List", University of Illinois, Fall 1994, Spring & Fall 1995, Spring and Fall 1996 and Spring & Fall 1997.  
• Member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Omega Chi Epsilon, Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi, and Golden Key National Honor Society.

Professional Societies:

• American Institute of Chemical Engineers, member since 1994.  Associate member since 2001.
• American Society of Engineering Education, member since 1999.
• The Union of Concerned Scientists, member since 2003.
• Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, member since 2001.
• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, member since 1993.
• Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society, member since 1993.

Academic Service:

• Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Global Change, faculty members, 2006-present.
• Institute for the Study of Planet Earth Faculty Member, 2006-present.
• College of Public Health - Env. and Occupational Health faculty search committee, 2006-present.
• High Performance Computing U of A Taskforce, 2006-present.
• Academic Dean Search Committee, 2004-2005.
• Undergraduate College Committee Representative, 2001-2004.
• Graduate Studies Committee, Chemical Engineering, The University of Arizona, member, 2004-present.
• COEM ABET Action Committee, 2001-2003.
• Carnegie Conversations Campus Committee Member, 2001-2002.
• Chemical and Environmental Engineering Computer Committee, U of A, 1999-present.
• Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Chemical and Environmental Engineer, U of A, member, 1999-present, chair 2001-2002.
• Faculty Advisor, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary, 2004-present.
• Faculty Advisor, Table Tennis Club Team, U of A, 2000-2005.
• Faculty Advisor, Competitive Boxing and Grappling Club, 2001-2003.
• Faculty Advisor, Taekwando Club, 2001-2005.
• Faculty Advisor, Omega Chi Episilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society, 2002-present.
• Undergraduate Writing Proficiency Exam Grader, U of A, 2000-2001.
• Reader for the Blind, University of Illinois Radio Reader, 1994-2000.
• Campus Tour Guide, Michigan State University, 1989-1994.
• Michigan State University Campus Judiciary, 1991-1993.
• Honors College Advisory Committee, Michigan State University, 1989-1991.

Publications:

Please see publications page.