Chemical engineers, student leaders, and professionals at all career stages are at the heart of AIChE’s mission to advance the profession and make a lasting impact on society. In this series, we spotlight members whose passion, leadership, and service help shape the future of chemical engineering while strengthening the AIChE community.
This month, we’re excited to introduce Albert T. Liu, Forum Chair of AIChE’s Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum (NSEF). Albert is a faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Michigan and part of the Center for Complex Particle Systems (COMPASS). In this interview, he shares what inspired him to become an AIChE community leader, how NSEF is introducing undergraduate students to nanoscale science and engineering, and the value of building connections across disciplines and career stages.
What inspired you to become a leader in your AIChE community?
Early in my academic career, I benefited from the mentorship, visibility, and collaboration that technical communities like AIChE’s Nanoscale Science and Engineering Forum provide. I saw leadership in NSEF as an opportunity to give back by creating platforms for emerging voices, strengthening our technical programming, and building bridges between disciplines.
With nanoscience rapidly transforming how we design, diagnose, and deliver in chemical engineering, I wanted to help ensure that NSEF remains a hub for innovation and inclusion across all career stages.
How do you measure the success of your community’s impact on its members and the broader profession?
Success shows up in both metrics and momentum. Quantitatively, we’ve seen steady growth in NSEF session attendance, abstract submissions, and student engagement, indicating that our programming resonates.
Equally important are the conversations that continue after a session ends, the new collaborations that trace back to an NSEF talk, and the first-time presenters who gain confidence and visibility through our platform.
Can you share a key challenge you’ve faced in leading your community and how you overcame it?
One key challenge has been expanding our reach beyond our traditional academic and professional base to engage more undergraduate students, especially those who may not yet see nanoscale science and engineering as an accessible or clearly defined career path.
To address this, we launched a new workshop at the 2024 AIChE Annual Student Conference titled “Path Towards Nanoscale Science and Engineering.” The session brought together panelists from industry and academia to share the varied ways they got into the field and to offer practical advice on research opportunities, internships, and graduate pathways.
By planting the seed early, we hope to demystify the field and cultivate a more inclusive, informed, and inspired next generation of NSEF participants.
What role does networking play in your community’s success, and how do you facilitate meaningful connections?
Networking is at the heart of NSEF’s success. It’s how collaborations form, mentorships begin, and ideas move from conference rooms into research labs and industrial R&D.
We’ve worked hard to create structured and accessible opportunities for meaningful connections. Beyond the undergraduate-focused workshop I mentioned, we host the NSEF Business Meeting at the AIChE Annual Meeting. The meeting provides space for open discussion and member input on the direction of our community.
We also hold the annual NSEF Reception and Awards Presentation, which brings together students, faculty, and professionals across sectors in a relaxed, celebratory setting. These events encourage dialogue across generations and help build a strong, supportive nanoscale engineering community.
What are some of the key professional and personal benefits that members gain from being part of an AIChE community?
Being part of an AIChE community like NSEF gives members exposure to cutting-edge research, opportunities to present and publish, and a professional network that extends far beyond a single conference.
Personally, I’ve found these communities to be deeply supportive. They’ve connected me with mentors, collaborators, and friends who challenge and inspire me. Especially for students and early-career researchers, it’s a place where you can gain visibility and develop your voice within the profession.
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For all membership questions, please reach out to us at membership@aiche.org — we’re here to support you through every step of your professional journey.
