Alan Allgeier named director of KU’s Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis

LAWRENCE — Alan Allgeier, Don W. Green Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, has been named director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis at the University of Kansas, effective immediately.

The CEBC works to develop cleaner, safer, energy-efficient technologies that protect the planet and human health while training the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“I am honored to be appointed director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis,” Allgeier said. “Since its founding in 2003, excellence in research and workforce development has been the hallmark of CEBC. I look forward to building on that foundation as we focus on new use-inspired research that addresses real-world challenges.”

Allgeier has served as CEBC’s deputy director for four years. Continuing to expand collaborations with industry partners across the chemical, biorenewable, polymer and pharmaceutical sectors will be a critical strategy, he said, to help connect KU’s fundamental research to regional and national needs — supporting economic growth and quality of life. 

“I am excited to work with our students, faculty, scientists, engineers and partners as we advance CEBC’s mission,” Allgeier said.

“Dr. Allgeier’s commitment to innovation, research excellence and trainee mentoring makes him an excellent choice for this role,” said Shelley Hooks, vice chancellor for research. “He has a clear vision for building on the success already achieved at CEBC and expanding partnerships with federal agencies and industry to support research with worldwide impact — especially work that helps reduce harm to the environment and advance cleaner, next-generation technologies.”

Allgeier fills a leadership position held for more than 20 years by Bala Subramaniam, Dan F. Servey Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering, who is stepping away from administration to focus on his research. As founding director, Subramaniam shepherded the CEBC from its start as a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center — established in 2003 with a $17 million NSF grant — to a self-sustaining center fueled by a rich collaboration network and funding from federal, philanthropic and industry sponsors. 

“I am grateful for Bala’s visionary leadership over so many years, and I look forward to his next phase of innovation in sustainable chemical engineering,” Hooks said.

Allgeier earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s degree and doctorate in chemistry from Northwestern University. He conducted research for two decades in industry — split between pharmaceuticals (Amgen) and chemicals (DuPont) — where he garnered significant expertise in catalysis, process chemistry and material science. In 2017 he moved to KU, building a laboratory for sustainable catalysis and porous materials.

Allgeier is a co-founder and former president of the Great Plains Catalysis Society. He has been an active volunteer for the American Chemical Society Division of Catalysis Science & Technology, the North American Catalysis Society, the International Congress on Catalysis and the Organic Reactions Catalysis Society. Allgeier has been recognized with the Miller Professional Award for Service, the Catalysis Club of Philadelphia Award, the Bellows Faculty Scholar, the Russell Malz Award for Service to Catalysis and the Amgen Green Chemistry Award.