Jeffrey Chalmers receives 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award

Professor and Helen C. Kurtz Chair Jeffrey Chalmers has earned The Ohio State University 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award.

Ohio State Interim Executive Vice President for Research Peter Mohler, College of Engineering Dean Ayanna Howard, Vice President for Knowledge Enterprise Dorota Grejner-Brzezinska and other senior leadership from the Office of Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge surprised Chalmers with the honor at a faculty meeting. 

“Thank you, this award is indicative of the level of achievement in our department,” said Chalmers upon learning of his award, “and the key is for us to strive to keep it that way and to keep the tradition going.” 

Professor Chalmers is researching intrinsic magnetization cell separation and immunomagnetic cell separation, cancer detection and bioengineering. He has been the leading international researcher in mammalian bioprocess engineering for more than 30 years and his contributions have changed the way mammalian cell culture engineering is undertaken around the world in both industry and academia. In the coming decades, cell separations will become increasingly important for the next wave of biologics, both for examining diseased cells as well as treating disease with cell therapies. 

Biological medications, or "biologics," are powerful medications developed from particles or whole cells of blood, proteins, sugars, viruses, DNA, tissues, or living organisms such as bacteria. They are used to prevent, treat, and cure many health conditions, including some illnesses that were untreatable in the past. Some common biologics are Avastin (bevacizumab) and Herceptin (trastuzumab), used to treat cancers; Lantus (insulin glargine); Humira; Botox; and Enbrel. 

Biologics are at the forefront of drug research today, with new developments increasing rapidly. Nearly 40% of all new pharmaceuticals are biologically produced, and their production is based, in part, on some of the discoveries made by Professor Chalmers and his students over the years. 

Because biologics come from such diverse sources, they are usually much more complex than other medications and take more work to purify, process, and produce, leading to delays and costly production timelines. Chalmers' work in applying chemical engineering principles to bioprocess fluid dynamics and bioreactor scale-up helped to solve many of the bottleneck problems of the biopharmaceutical industry.

Over his career, Chalmers has certainly seen explosive growth in the field. At the April Cell Culture Engineering XVIII meeting, which is focused on making biologics, it was reported that sales of biologics from animal cells are now in the $1 trillion range.

"It is quite amazing," Chalmers said. "I have been to all of these meetings, except the first, and at my first meeting in 1989, there was either only one, or no, commercial 'biologics'…. We never dreamed that it would become what it is now."

Peter Mohler, interim executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge, recognizes Chalmers' role in that growth. “Dr. Chalmers' work has helped to pioneer commercial human therapeutics from cell cultures,” he said. “He has created true scientific impact, both through his research as well as through his mentoring of more than 50 trainees.”

“It’s about research, but you really epitomize what it is to be a scholar,” said Ayanna Howard, dean of the College of Engineering. “When you think about scholarship, it’s not just head down in your lab doing research. It’s really about how you express it and how you bring others along with you.”    

Umit Ozkan, chair of the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, also congratulated Chalmers and said “Even though our research areas are very different, Dr. Chalmers serves on the dissertation committees of many of my students. And the insights that he brings to the topic; the questions that he asks are amazing and the students just love him." 

In her nomination letter, Ozkan also highlighted the influence Chalmers has had on his field. “The importance of Professor Chalmers’ contributions to this industry are quite significant. When he started at Ohio State, commercial human therapeutics from animal cell cultures didn't exist, and they are now a $100 billion a year industry."

Arriving at Ohio State in 1993, Chalmers is currently the Helen C. Kurtz Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He was recently recognized by the College of Engineering with the Clara M. and Peter L. Scott Faculty Award for Excellence in Engineering Education. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Chemical Engineering and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He holds 13 patents. Chalmers received bachelor’s degrees from Westmont College and the University of California at Berkeley and his doctorate in chemical engineering, with a minor in microbiology, from Cornell University.  

The Distinguished Scholar Award is among the highest annual faculty honors awarded at Ohio State. The university-level award honors six faculty members who demonstrate scholarly activity, conduct research or creative works that represent exceptional achievements in their fields and garner distinction for the university.     

Award recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a committee of senior faculty, including past award recipients. Distinguished Scholars receive an honorarium and a research grant to be used over the next three years.

Chalmers and other faculty at The Ohio State University were recognized for their professional accomplishments during the 2022-23 academic year at the Faculty Awards Celebration. The event was held April 28 at the Ohio Union. 

 Learn more about previous Distinguished Scholar Award recipients.       

Quotes from Chalmers' nomination:   

“His contributions have fundamentally changed the way mammalian cell culture engineering is done around the world in this industry and this award would be a worthy recognition for all that he has done for our field, the large and vibrant biotechnology industry in the US and around the world, and his impact in the Biochemical Technology Division of ACS,” Michael J. Betenbaugh, Johns Hopkins University.   

“Dr. Chalmers’ career coincides with rise the biopharmaceutical industry. Through his groundbreaking research, he becomes a well-respected scholar in the biopharmaceutical industry world-wide for his pioneering research in large scale production of biotherapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. He is a leading example of engineering faculty who contributes to real world applications of top-notch research,” NingNing Ma, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University.   

“Many of Jeff’s papers have been cited extensively and are 'required reading' for cell bioprocess engineering and bioseparations. In addition to his research contributions, Jeff has excelled in undergraduate and graduate education. He has mentored over 50 doctoral students who have risen to professional prominence in biochemical engineering as university professors and leaders of biotechnology companies. His students describe him as dedicated, responsive, and personable with a particular emphasis on connecting the material to real world applications,” George Georgiou, The University of Texas at Austin.