معرفی
Susan M. Williams serves as the Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Kansas School of Engineering. She also holds the position of Faculty Athletics Representative for KU, representing the university to the Big XII and NCAA since 2013.
Her educational background includes:
- B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan (1994)
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma (1999)
Williams' research focuses on transforming low-value feedstocks—including algae, agricultural residues, and municipal sludge—into renewable fuels and high-value products. Her work spans catalyst design, reaction engineering, and process intensification, with particular emphasis on how feedstock properties influence product quality. The research group maintains strong collaborations across chemical, environmental, and mechanical engineering disciplines at KU and beyond. Key research areas include biofuels, hydrothermal liquefaction, biomass conversion, reaction engineering, and catalysis, with applications in sustainable energy systems and waste-to-resource conversion.
Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on hydrothermal processing of biomass, nitrogen management in waste streams, and catalytic conversion technologies. The work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between chemical engineering, environmental science, and sustainable energy systems, with increasing emphasis on circular economy principles and resource recovery from waste streams.
Her scientific recognition includes:
- Raymond Oenbring Award for Excellence in Teaching (awarded seven times)
- Steeples Service to Kansans Award (2012)
- Agent of Change Award from Kansas Biodiesel Consortium (2018)
- Multiple teaching professorships and research awards
Williams has mentored 19 graduate students (10 MS, 9 PhD) to completion, with alumni working at organizations including BASF, REG Fuels, and academia. Her lab maintains active collaborations with industry partners in the biodiesel sector and participates in the KU Biodiesel Initiative. The research group operates facilities in Learned Hall and the Measurement, Materials and Sustainable Environment Center, focusing on experimental validation of thermochemical conversion processes.
