LEARNING HOW TO MEET
SOCIETY’S PRESENT NEEDS
without impinging on future
generations is the goal of sustainability.
It is, simply put, the capacity to
endure. In manufacturing, it is a responsible
and sustainable use of resources in processes
continually improved through science and
technology.
In the quest for sustainability, accurate
and efficient computation models like those
being pioneered by Helen Lou, associate
professor of chemical engineering and
Lamar’s 2009 University Scholar, are
helping aid engineers in understanding
industrial systems.
A Lamar faculty
member since 2001,
Lou is engaged in
leading-edge work in
sustainable manufacturing
and expertly
uses many modeling
techniques. She is
building a nationally
recognized program
in the frontier of
sustainable manufacturing,
but that is not
the limit of her
research interests.
She also researches
process systems
engineering, life-cycle
analysis/environmental
accounting and
high-performance
computing.
“My objective
is to empower
engineers to develop
sustainable products
and processes to
reduce resource use
and minimize the
adverse environmental
impacts while
maximizing the
profitability,”
Lou said.
“She excels in
every aspect of the
scholar-teacher,” said Jack Hopper, dean of
the College of Engineering and executive
assistant to the president for economic
development and industrial relations. “She
is, without question, one of the most productive
and effective researchers to ever be
in the College of Engineering at Lamar. She
has consistently been at the forefront of
proposals submitted and funded.”
Lou has secured more than $1.47
million in research grants as primary or coprimary
investigator in 28 funded projects,
said T.C. Ho, Regents’ Professor and chair
of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Six of those are from the National Science
Foundation (NSF), regarded as the nation’s
most prestigious science and engineering
research funding agency, Ho noted.
Hopper said he believes Lou is the
youngest faculty member at Lamar to
receive a grant from the foundation, having
first done so when she was 29. In 2007,
the foundation appointed Lou to lead the
United States delegation to an international
conference in New Zealand.
Selection as University Scholar is
Lamar’s highest honor recognizing research
and creative activity, said Stuart Wright,
director of research in the office of Research
and Sponsored Programs Administration.
“The University Scholar Award honors a
faculty member for his or her outstanding
contribution to scholarship, research, grant
writing and/or creative activity,” Wright
said. The award includes a $5,000 grant to
support future research activities.
In 2007, a chemical engineering student
supervised by Lou earned the first doctor of
philosophy to be conferred by Lamar.
In addition to teaching and service,
said Ho, Lou’s scholarly activities and
accomplishments have been exceptional.
“Her publication record is to be admired
and respected,” Hopper said. “Her service
to the profession and to Lamar is exemplary
for the level of activity and commitment.”
Her selection as University Scholar “will, no
doubt, set the ‘bar’ for future selections at a
very high level,” he said.
Lou, a native of China, is active in
professional organizations, most notably in
the establishment and development of the
Sustainability Engineering Forum within
the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers (AIChE). She served the forum
as programming chair, now serves as vice
chair and will serve as chair in 2010-2011.
“I want to thank all of you who made
this happen . . . my colleagues and collaborators
and the strong leadership of our
university,” Lou said in accepting the award.
“I also want to thank my students, and I
wish all of them a bright future. Last but
least, I want to thank my family.”
She and her husband, Michael, have a
1-year-old son, Richard.
