Umit Ozkan named Distinguished University Professor
Upon reporting to a meeting to discuss a pressing problem, Department Chair and College of Engineering Distinguished Professor Umit S. Ozkan got a wonderful surprise.
Instead of having to problem-solve, Dr. Ozkan was greeted by President Kristina Johnson and other senior leaders, who announced that Ozkan was being named a Distinguished University Professor - the highest recognition Ohio State bestows on a faculty member for exceptional teaching, research and scholarly work.
"I truly had no idea," a visibly moved Ozkan said. "Usually I know whenever something is being planned for me. There were quite a few people in on the secret. Even my husband knew about it."
The Office of Academic Affairs awards the permanent, honorific title of Distinguished University Professor on a competitive basis to full professors who have truly exceptional records in teaching, in research, scholarly or creative work, and in service. Distinguished University Professors automatically become members of the President’s and Provost’s Advisory Committee. In addition, recipients are awarded a $30,000 one-time grant to support their academic work and are expected to maintain a regular program of teaching/ mentorship, research, scholarly or creative work, and service.
Dr. Ozkan, who became chair of the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in June 2019, is an internationally recognized expert in catalysis and electrocatalysis with over 250 refereed publications. She has advised and mentored over 100 graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and honors students.
Ozkan’s research addresses many critical problems facing our nation in the energy and environmental protection fields, and is funded by both federal agencies and industry. Her work has led to eight US patents.
Her pioneering research into hydrogen fuel cell catalysts led to the development of the first heteroatom-doped carbon-nanostructures (CNx) to be used for the acidic oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This technology, patented in 2015, is licensed by pH Matter, LLC.
Her success has earned awards and honors from many national and international organizations, and even alumni. In 2019, William G. Lowrie announced that he was establishing the Umit S. Ozkan Professorship in her honor. In 2017 she was the first woman to receive the ACS Henry H. Storch Award in its 57-year history, which was commemorated with a special issue of Catalysis Today in 2019. In 2012 she received the American Chemical Society (ACS) Energy and Fuels Distinguished Researcher Award. As part of this award, she was honored with a special issue of the premier journal Topics in Catalysis, which included contributions of 35 research groups from 12 different countries, followed by a three-day ACS Symposium.
Ozkan is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and the American Chemical Society (ACS). She is a former Fulbright scholar whose other honors include the prestigious John van Guens Lectureship Award at the Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences at the University of Amsterdam (2010), the AIChE Mentorship Excellence Award (2009), and the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award (2002). She also has received numerous accolades for her research and teaching prowess from Ohio State and her alma mater, Iowa State.
