Journal of Catalysis
Curriculum vitae
Elyse E. Kimpiab
Ph.D. Candidate, Chemical Engineering — Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama. Green chemistry and zeolite catalysis for bio-derived and waste-derived molecules.
At a glance
Record in brief
8
Publications & manuscripts
3
First-author works
5
Conference presentations
6
Awards & grants
6
Courses taught
Education
Education
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December 2027 (expected)Ph.D., Chemical and Biological Engineering — The University of Alabama
Advisor: Dr. James W. Harris. Dissertation title to be confirmed. GPA 4.0.
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December 2024M.Sc., Chemical and Biological Engineering — The University of Alabama
Advisor: Dr. James W. Harris. GPA 4.0.
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December 2017B.Tech, Chemical Engineering — Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Graduated cum laude. CGPA 7.5/10 (US equivalent approximately 3.5).
Research experience
Research experience
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Spring 2023 – presentGraduate Researcher — Harris Laboratory, The University of Alabama
Zeolite catalysis for bio-derived molecules: glycerol etherification with ethanol over Beta zeolites of varied hydrophobicity and void polarity, and ethanol upgrading over metal-containing dealuminated Beta zeolites.
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Feb 2020 – Sep 2022Research Assistant — Environmental Nano Science Research Group
Developed nanomaterials and catalysts for acid mine drainage valorization using green synthesis methods. Conducted material characterization, liquid- and gas-phase reactor testing, and data-driven process optimization.
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Feb 2019 – Dec 2019Research Assistant — Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology
Investigated anaerobic digestion of primary winery wastewater sludge under different temperature and nutrient conditions. Measured methane yield and by-products and characterized sludge to evaluate process efficiency.
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May 2015 – Aug 2015Research Intern — Environmental Nano Science Research Group
Synthesized silver-exchanged zeolite A nanoparticles for water purification. Evaluated purified water quality and process requirements for drinking-water applications.
Publications
Selected publications
ACS Omega, 7, 24423–24431
Five peer-reviewed journal articles published; three further manuscripts in revision or in preparation. Three are first-author or co-first-author works.
Invited talks
Invited talks & presentations
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March 9, 2026Etherification of glycerol and glycerol-derived ethers over zeolite catalysts of varied topologies and void polarities
Southeastern Catalysis Society
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March 19, 2024Synthesis and testing of zeolite catalysts of varied hydrophobicity for etherification of glycerol and glycerol-derived ethers
American Chemical Society
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June 24, 2024Glycerol Etherification with Ethanol over Beta Zeolites of Varied Void Polarity
American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute
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June 17, 2026Etherification of glycerol and glycerol-derived ethers over zeolite catalysts of varied topologies and void polarities
American Chemical Society Green Chemistry & Engineering
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February 12, 2024Etherification of Glycerol and Glycerol-derived ethers over solid acid zeolites catalysts of varied hydrophobicity
Southeastern Catalysis Society
Awards
Awards & fellowships
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2026Travel grant Sustainable Future Travel Grant — ACS Green Chemistry Institute (30th Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, San Antonio, TX)
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2026Travel grant Sustainable Future Travel Grant — ACS Green Chemistry Institute (ACS Green Chemistry & Engineering networking event)
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2024Certificate Certificate of Achievement, ACS Green & Sustainable Summer School — ACS Green Chemistry Institute. Selected as one of about 60 outstanding students from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
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2023Grant Advancing Science Conference Grant (ASCG) — NOBCChE
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2023Scholarship Graduate Merit Scholarship — Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation (AKAEAF)
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2017Distinction Cum Laude Distinction — Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Teaching
Teaching & mentoring
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Fall 2025Teaching Assistant — Chemical Reaction Engineering, The University of Alabama
Conducted office hours, assisted with lecturing, and graded homework assignments.
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Fall 2023Teaching Assistant — Unit Operations, The University of Alabama
Conducted office hours, assisted with lab experiments on the distillation column and heat exchanger, and graded lab reports.
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Spring 2023Teaching Assistant — Process Control, The University of Alabama
Conducted office hours, assisted with lecturing, and graded homework assignments.
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2016Teaching Assistant — Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Mathematics, Thermodynamics, and Chemical Technology.
6
Courses taught
3
At Alabama
3
At Cape Peninsula UT
2
Institutions
Service
Professional service
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2026Graduate Ambassador — Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering
Representing the department through the University of Alabama Graduate School (GSC).
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2025 & 2026Judge — Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Conference
Judged undergraduate research presentations for two consecutive years.
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MLK DayCommunity volunteer
Packed bags of hope to send to women with breast cancer.
- Department service
- Graduate Ambassador, ChBE — UA Graduate School (2026)
- Judging
- Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Conference (2025, 2026)
- Community
- MLK Day — bags of hope for women with breast cancer
Skills
Technical skills
Catalysis & materials
- Zeolite synthesis and modification (Beta, zeolite A)
- Green synthesis of iron and bimetallic FeMn nanoparticles
- Material characterization of catalysts and nanoparticles
- Liquid- and gas-phase reactor testing
- Product analysis for etherification and upgrading chemistry
Process & environmental
- Anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge
- Methane yield and by-product measurement
- Acid mine drainage valorization
- Water-quality evaluation for drinking-water applications
- Data-driven process optimization
Assessment & communication
- Techno-economic assessment
- Life-cycle analysis
- Scientific writing and peer-reviewed publication
- Conference presentation — oral and poster
- Teaching and office hours across six courses
References
References
Available on request, including my doctoral advisor.
Last updated July 2026
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