Earlier this year, we announced the launch of the CEP Photo Contest, a new initiative supported by the AIChE Foundation and designed to celebrate the beauty and impact of chemical engineering. This creative showcase was built to engage AIChE members and prospective members across all career stages from every corner of the globe. Following our submission period between April 12 and June 19, we received nearly 100 incredible images from the chemical engineering community. Now, it is officially your turn to choose the winners!
Every photo was carefully reviewed by CEP staff for adherence to the terms and conditions, as well as for the aesthetic appeal that highlights the beauty of chemical engineering. We’ve narrowed the field down to the top six images per category — and the power is now in the hands of the public.
The Categories
Our five distinct categories celebrate the diverse, far-reaching work of chemical engineers across various industries.
- Category 1: The Faces of Chemical Engineering: Celebrating the brilliant minds and passionate individuals driving our industry forward. Finalists: Ahmad Al-Bodour (Western Michigan University), Carlos Alvarez-Vasco (Universidad ICESI), Success Eghosa Aiwekhoe (University of Massachusetts at Amherst), Anthony Fregosi (Cytec Industries), Cyrine Hamadache (M'Hamed Bougara University of Boumerdes), Marcia Constante Sánchez (UANL)
- Category 2: The Big Picture – Landscapes and Industrial Vistas: From plant skylines to striking industrial architecture that powers our world. Finalists: Eljan Abbasli (Baku Higher Oil School), Charles Botsford (CWB Energy Solutions), Shikhar Gupta (Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology), Katrina Metty (PPG)
- Category 3: Discovery in the Lab: Where science meets breakthrough. Witness the meticulous, hands-on moments of innovation in the lab. Finalists: Shelby Bess (University of Arkansas), Clay Davis (Clarkson University, Plasma Research Laboratory), Kristin Marie Matter (Dow), Chidinma Nwoye (University of Arkansas), Khairul Islam Tuhel (Shahjalal University of Science and Technology)
- Category 4: The Heart of the Plant: A look at the complex machinery, piping, and operational engineering that keep processes running smoothly. Finalists: Eljan Abbasli (Baku Higher Oil School), Carlos Alvarez-Vasco (Universidad ICESI), Scott Berger (Scott Berger and Associates, LLC), John Cirucci (VerdeTek), Shawn Hamilton (Next Hydrogen), Katrina Metty (PPG)
- Category 5: A Day in the Life: The authentic, day-to-day moments that define what it truly means to be a chemical engineer. Finalists: Jerry Forest (Jerry Forest LLC), Shikhar Gupta (Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology), Ellen S. Lenz (CCPS), Emile Richard (Retired, Portland Water District Engineer), Scott Roney (Unicat Catalyst Technologies), Anthony E. Vidal Reyes (Washington University in St. Louis)
Cast Your Vote
View the incredible work by our finalists here! Voting is open to the public through August 21st. Help us celebrate those who power and change the perceptions of our field.
Don't wait — help us crown the 2026 winners!
A Special Thank You
Thanks to the many AIChE Foundation donors whose support for the Doing a World of Good Annual Fund enabled the first-ever CEP Photo Contest! To learn more about being part of the AIChE Foundation Donor Community, visit aiche.org/giving.
