Jeffrey Chalmers, PhD, professor of chemical engineering, has earned The Ohio State University 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award. Senior leadership in the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge surprised Chalmers with the honor at a recent faculty meeting.
Jeffrey Chalmers receives 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award
“Thank you, this award is indicative of our department,” said Chalmers upon learning of his award, “and the key is for us to strive to keep it that way and to keep the tradition going.”
Jeffrey Chalmers, PhD
Professor of chemical engineering
Professor Chalmers is researching intrinsic magnetization cell separation and immunomagnetic cell separation, cancer detection and bioengineering. He has been the leading international researcher in mammalian bioprocess engineering for more than 30 years and his contributions have changed the way mammalian cell culture engineering is undertaken around the world in both industry and academia. In the coming decades, cell separations will become increasingly important for the next wave of biologics, both for examining diseased cells as well as treating disease with cell therapies.
“Dr. Chalmers' work has helped to pioneer commercial human therapeutics from cell cultures,” said Peter Mohler, interim executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge. “He has created true scientific impact, both through his research as well as through his mentoring of more than 50 trainees.”
“It’s about research, but you really epitomize what it is to be a scholar,” said Ayanna Howard, dean of the College of Engineering. “When you think about scholarship, it’s not just head down in your lab doing research. It’s really about how you express it and how you bring others along with you.”
“Even though our research areas are very different, Dr. Chalmers serves on the dissertation committees of many of my students,” said Umit Ozkan, chair of the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. “And the insights that he brings to the topic, the questions that he asks are amazing and the students just love him."
In her nomination letter, Ozkan also highlighted the influence Chalmers has had on his field. “The importance of Professor Chalmers’ contributions to this industry is underscored by the fact that nearly 40% of all new pharmaceuticals are biologically produced and their production is based in part on some of the discoveries made by Professor Chalmers and his students over the years.”
Arriving at Ohio State in 1993, Chalmers is currently the Helen C Kurtz Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, where he was recently recognized with the Clara M. and Peter L. Scott Faculty Award for Excellence in Engineering Education. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Chemical Engineering and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He holds 13 patents. Chalmers received bachelor’s degrees from Westmont College and the University of California at Berkeley and his doctorate in chemical engineering, with a minor in microbiology, from Cornell University.
The Distinguished Scholar Award is among the highest annual honors awarded at Ohio State. The university-level award honors six faculty members who demonstrate scholarly activity, conduct research or creative works that represent exceptional achievements in their fields and garner distinction for the university.
Award recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a committee of senior faculty, including past award recipients. Distinguished Scholars receive an honorarium and a research grant to be used over the next three years. Learn more about previous Distinguished Scholar Award recipients.
Quotes from Chalmers' nomination:
“His contributions have fundamentally changed the way mammalian cell culture engineering is done around the world in this industry and this award would be a worthy recognition for all that he has done for our field, the large and vibrant biotechnology industry in the US and around the world, and his impact in the Biochemical Technology Division of ACS,”
- Michael J. Betenbaugh, Johns Hopkins University
“Dr. Chalmers’ career coincides with rise the biopharmaceutical industry. Through his groundbreaking research, he becomes a well-respected scholar in the biopharmaceutical industry world-wide for his pioneering research in large scale production of biotherapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. He is a leading example of engineering faculty who contributes to real world applications of top-notch research,”
- NingNing Ma, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University
“Many of Jeff’s papers have been cited extensively and are “required reading” for cell bioprocess engineering and bioseparations. In addition to his research contributions, Jeff has excelled in undergraduate and graduate education. He has mentored over 50 doctoral students who have risen to professional prominence in biochemical engineering as university professors and leaders of biotechnology companies. His students describe him as dedicated, responsive, and personable with a particular emphasis on connecting the material to real world applications,”
- George Georgiou, The University of Texas at Austin