CBE family members gathered to celebrate Prof. Joel Plawsky’s more than a decade of service as head, and to welcome the new leadership on November 20. 2025.
Prof. Plawsky served as the department head from 2015 to 2025 and recently stepped down, handing over the leadership to Prof. Todd Przybycien, the new department head. During his tenure as head, Prof. Plawsky successfully steered the department through many challenges, particularly during the COVID lockdown period. He enhanced the department's profile, promoted innovation in the undergraduate program, and served as an exceptional mentor to members at all levels—from undergraduates and graduate students to staff and faculty.
Beyond his leadership role, Prof. Plawsky has a highly successful academic career. He is a world-renowned expert in heat transfer, particularly for his experimental work in a microgravity environment on the International Space Station. He has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed articles, 13 patents, several books, including the Transport Phenomena Fundamentals text, and more than 250 invited and contributed talks at national and international conferences. He is a fellow of both the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and recently received the prestigious AIChE-ASME Donald Q. Kern Award for fundamental advancements in interfacial heat and mass transfer.
Please join us in celebrating Prof. Joel Plawsky’s service to the department!