Douglass Kalika

Douglass Kalika, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering at the University of Kentucky and currently serves as Director of First-Year Engineering within the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. He has held multiple leadership roles, including Department Chair (2009-2019), Acting Dean (2001-2003), and Senior Associate Dean (1998-2001) of The Graduate School. His academic journey includes a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT (1984), a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley (1988), and a postdoctoral fellowship at IBM’s Almaden Research Center (1989-90).

His research focuses on

• Blends and Synthetic Membranes
• Polymer Nanocomposites
• Advanced Polymer Processing Techniques
• Rheological Characterization of Materials

These areas bridge fundamental polymer science with industrial applications, emphasizing material design and functionality. His administrative contributions have shaped engineering education and graduate policies at the university level.

No specific awards or publications are listed in the provided text, though his extensive leadership roles highlight institutional impact. His work in first-year engineering education underscores a commitment to student development alongside technical research.