UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Phillip Savage has been selected as the new head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, effective Aug. 20.
He comes to Penn State from the University of Michigan, where he currently serves as Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and interim head of chemical engineering.
Amr Elnashai, Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering, said, "With his experience at a peer institution, and with his passion for Penn State, Phillip will continue on the path of excellence that Penn State's chemical engineering faculty, staff and students are invested in.”
Savage will replace Andrew Zydney, who has served as the head of chemical engineering since 2005.
Elnashai noted, "Andrew provided exceptional leadership, with his smart and steady style, and he has also played a key role in the college. I have personally counted on his wisdom and advice, and hope to continue to do so for many years to come."
Savage's awards and honors include the 2014 Michigan Catalysis Society Parravano Award, the 2009 Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Award, the 2001 American Chemistry Council Catalyst Award and numerous teaching and research awards from the University of Michigan.
He is a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Savage has authored more than 180 refereed publications and lectured at dozens of conferences and universities, and he holds five patents.
He is a member of the AIChE, the ACS and the American Society for Engineering Education.
Savage serves as editor-in-chief of the ACS journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, director of AIChE's environmental division and as an editorial advisory board member of several publications.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Penn State, and a master of chemical engineering degree and doctorate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware.