Prof. Li Selected for Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award

Dr. Fanxing Li, Alcoa Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and University Faculty Scholar, has been selected to receive a 2024 Alumni Association Outstanding Research Award. The honor includes being inducted into the NC State Research Leadership Academy (RLA).

First presented in 1981, the Outstanding Research Award recognizes faculty members for excellence in their field and commitment to the university’s research enterprise. The selection committee is composed of representatives from the NC State Office of Research and Innovation, the Provost’s Office and the RLA.

The RLA is a faculty advisory group to the Vice Chancellor for Research. Its goals are “to encourage a culture of mentoring across campus; empower faculty for success; advance an intellectual, multidisciplinary research community; and develop and promote best administrative practices throughout the NC State research community.”

The Li Research Group performs research on sustainable energy solutions, including lab-scale experimental work and process simulations. In particular, they focus on the design, synthesis, and characterization of nanomaterial-based catalyst and reagent particles for biomass and fossil energy conversions, green liquid fuel synthesis, CO2 capture, and pollutant control. The work also encompasses chemical reaction engineering and process synthesis and optimization, as well as molecular modeling using Density Functional Theory (DFT) to elucidate reaction mechanisms and identify potential ways to improve catalyst performance.

Professor Li’s research awards and honors include the NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award, 2012; Sigma Xi Research Award, 2015; University Faculty Scholar, 2015; and the Alcoa Foundation Engineering Research Achievement Award, 2020. He follows in a long and proud line of CBE faculty members to win this award dating back to 1969 with Dr. Hal Hopfenberg.

Congratulations to Prof. Li for this well-deserved recognition of your research accomplishments!