 Matt Ferris
Position: President
Year: Junior
Hometown: Plano, Texas
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I’m vice-president of the Business Engineering Association. I am also a member of Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE), the ChE honor society, and Tau Beta Pi (TBP), an interdisciplinary honor society.
What are your plans after graduation?
After school I would like to go into the energy industry. Once I have gained a good practical understanding in the field I would like to return to school to obtain an MBA and hopefully transition into a more managerial style role. Currently my plans are to retire early and take up teaching at high school or college level, however, I will cross that bridge when I get all further along in my career.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
I got involved with AIChE because I saw it as a great medium for che both professionally and socially. AIChE provides an opportunity for students to come learn more about jobs and gives members invaluable face time with the recruiters that will one day be interviewing them for internships or full-time positions. Outside of that, AIChE also provides numerous ways for members to get away from their studies and hang out. Broomball, laser tag, go-karts, etc. there are just a host of free fun things that AIChE makes available to chemical engineering students.
My favorite memory was winning the Basketball Intramural Championship with AIChE. No one ever expects a group of chemical engineers to be athletic, so I always think it’s something when we go out there and prove them wrong. Also, intramurals always give members the opportunity to meet people outside the academic environment with the same interests as themselves.
What was/is your favorite ChE class, so far, and who was/is your favorite professor?
I really enjoyed Organic Chemistry. The problem solving required for synthesizing molecules from basic starting materials and all that’s required for identifying unknown molecules from spectroscopy images made the course interesting and allowed me to approach the homework as a puzzle instead of just another assignment. I also enjoyed unit ops. Professor Poehl has a ton of industry insight and knowledge of how the business world functions. I feel that given my desired career path, the class, along with his recommendations and advice, will be very beneficial to me later on. |
 Brian O’Connor
Position: Vice President – External
Year: Junior
Hometown: Austin, TX
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part?
I got involved with AIChE the first semester of my freshman year, when I became freshman representative. My favorite part is the social aspect. It’s nice to interact with chemical engineers outside of an academic setting, which makes tailgates and other social events enjoyable.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan to go into industry. I’ve interned with a chemical company and will be interning with an oil company this summer. I plan to evaluate my options after I have a good sense for each of these industries and go from there. |
 Samantha Ryder
Position: Vice President – Internal
Year: Junior
Hometown: League City, TX
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
I got involved with AIChE in my second year at UT because I knew that there were so many amazing people in the department that I wanted to get to know better. My favorite part about being involved with AIChE is definitely feeling a sense of responsibility when it comes to things going on in the department and the fact that I have been able to make so many friends because of it.
I don’t really have a favorite memory in particular, but the overall sense of family between everyone in the department has helped me through some rough times. We have some fantastic people, as well as fantastic engineers.
What was/is your favorite ChE class, so far, and who was/is your favorite professor?
My favorite class I have taken was separations last summer with Professor Eldridge, who is by far my favorite professor. He always pushes his classes to make sure that they actually understand the material and he always presents interesting problems and insights |
 Amy Claire Howard
Position: Secretary
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Katy, TX
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
Outside of AIChE, I am involved in Young Life where I am training to become a leader in an Austin-area middle school.
What is your favorite part about AIChE?
My favorite aspect of AIChE is getting to learn about a myriad of companies and to see the different applications of chemical engineering. |
 Rick Liao
Position: Treasurer
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Do you do any research in the department or in another department?
I research for Dr. Lydia Contreras. It is a biological engineering lab where I primarily deal with small RNAs.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
I wanted to be a part of a large chemical engineering organization as well as attain leadership experience. My favorite part would have to be the Ice Breakers and obviously free food during meetings. E-week was also very enjoyable. A favorite memory was when Mark Goldman received second place for Dr. Ramshorn, setting us on the path to our 1st place E-week victory. |
 Shelley Broman
Position: Publicist
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I am involved in several organizations outside of AIChE. I have a second major in the Plan II Honors program and serve as president of the Society of Plan II Engineers (SP2E). We are an organization that provides camaraderie and peer advising for the students that have chosen our unique degree plan. We also host approximately two formal dinners with distinguished guests each semester. I have also had the opportunity to serve as a society representative to Student Engineering Council (SEC) through SP2E. Finally, I am a Peer Assistance Leader (PAL) in the Women in Engineering Program.
Outside of Engineering, I enjoy sorority life at Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
I first got involved with AIChE by playing intramural sports. I played flag football, basketball, and softball my freshman year, and by the end of the year I felt like I had met so many great people. It’s great to be able to take a break from work and just hang out with a group of people that is so diverse and fun! My favorite part of AIChE is definitely the people. The ChE community is composed of a myriad of types of people, yet we are all able to have fun whether it’s doing transport homework or chilling in the AIChE office. My favorite memory by far is winning “So You Think Engineers Can Dance”. Our AIChE team was composed of myself and four of our male officers and our sweet routine to “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls allowed us to bring home the win. |
 Brandon Howle
Position: Activities Coordinator
Year: Junior
Hometown: Murphy, Texas
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I am a member of TBP and OXE. Outside of engineering, I spend my time marching and playing in the Longhorn Band where I play the mellophone (we’re awesome). I am also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band service fraternity.
What are your plans after graduation?
After I graduate, I plan on going into industry as a process engineer in the oil and gas industry (refining). I interned with Phillips 66 last summer and had a great experience. I enjoyed using my chemical engineering knowledge and learning first-hand about chemical engineering unit operations. I enjoyed being a process engineer because I was able to balance many projects at once, use my education to solve problems and optimize processes, and go out into the refinery to gather information, ask questions, and understand my projects. I ultimately hope to transition to the business side of the energy industry as a manager. I am also excited to be a part of the alternative and renewable energy movement in my lifetime.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
I got involved with AIChE because I wanted to meet and interact with other chemical engineers of all classifications. My favorite part of AIChE has been the camaraderie I’ve developed with the people that I’ve played intramural sports with. Playing intramural sports and meeting upperclassmen as a freshman was probably the best decision I’ve made at UT. |
 Hanbi Liu
Position: Webmaster
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Harbin, China
Do you do any research?
I am doing research with Professor Rochelle. The topic of my research is carbon extraction. I am currently working on projects related to thermo degradation of amines, which are used to absorb CO2 when treating power plant flue gas.
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I am also involved with OXE and the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part?
When I was a freshman, I received a lot of help from the officers. Thanks to them, I felt like I was part of the undergraduate family in no time and I wanted to help new students just like they helped me. I would like to do my best as an AIChE officer to continue the family-like community tradition here in the department.
What was/is your favorite ChE Class, so far, and who was/is your favorite professor?
I don’t have a particular favorite professor—they are all very nice people and very capable instructors. I have not had many major sequence classes because I am a sophomore, but my favorite class so far is Transport Phenomena. It is a very challenging course for me, but the experience makes up for the time and energy I spent on the subject. |
 Areen Pitaktong
Position: Society of Biological Engineering Representative
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Austin, TX
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
Within engineering, my loyalties solely lie with AIChE. Outside of engineering, I am a member of the UT International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team. I volunteer with the Tzu Chi Foundation, and with Brackenridge Hospital.
What was/is your favorite ChE Class, and who was/is your favorite professor?
ChE 317 is my most loathed chemical engineering class this semester, but it’s my favorite one as well. It outclasses (horrific pun) all the UT courses I have ever taken hands down, in terms of workload and conceptual uniqueness; I never imagined that algebra and basic chemistry alone would keep me up at night in college. So far, 317 has forced me to transform my habits (mostly for the better) in the sense that success in the class hinges upon frequent practice and preparation.
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 Rachel Marches
Position: Student Engineering Council Representative
Year: Senior
Hometown: Huffman, TX
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I have been involved with EXPO committee for two years. This year I am Senior Reception Committee Chair and was lucky to have three great engineers in my committee: Laura Blohm, Carlo Garcia, and Avni Shah. Outside of engineering, I participated as a site lead for the huge volunteer event UT organizes called Project 2013 in which over thousands of volunteers come out to help a community. Outside of UT, I am a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program in which I get to hang out with my little sister and do fun activities!
What was/is your favorite ChE Class, so far, and who was/is your favorite professor?
Honestly, I find it very difficult to determine my favorite ChE class and professor. It amazes me how successful and recognized our professors are and their willingness to be actively involved and concerned with their student’s education. Their dedication and knowledge has made every class my favorite. I am honored to say that I am receiving my education from one of the top chemical engineering programs, made possible by our excellent staff and prominent professors.
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 James Conger
Position: Student Engineering Council Representative
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I am involved with the Student Engineering Council, where I am soon applying to be a Member-at-Large for the upcoming academic year. I am also involved with the University Theatre Guild, the oldest student-run theatre group on campus.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? Do you have a favorite memory?
I have been active in student leadership since elementary school, so I was instantly drawn to AIChE. I have been an active member since my first semester here, and everything we do just seems to get better with time. My favorite experience would have to be McKetta’s Picnic. It’s always fun to relax outside with a bunch of your friends and just have fun.
What was/is your favorite ChE Class, so far, and who was/is your favorite professor?
My favorite ChE Class, so far, would have to be ChE 317. It was the first ChE class I really got absorbed in, with special thanks to Professor Lloyd, who taught the class. I loved learning about material balances, and Professor Lloyd made it extremely enjoyable and worthwhile. |
Ryan Davis
Position: Freshman Representative
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Houston, TX
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I am primarily involved in Texas Quidditch, and I am a member of the UT Austin traveling squad that is going to the World Cup! I am also involved in the Basement Engineering Entertainment Firm, known as BEEF, which is an organization made by a group of friends and I to make comics about our lives in the dorm.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be involved in AIChE? I got involved with AIChE because I liked the people that were involved and I became an officer to get a better understanding of what the organization does. My favorite part of any AIChE meeting is the ice breakers that we do near the beginning, they are normally quite hilarious and embarrassing to participants. My favorite memory is the day we had Olive Garden after the meeting and there were breadsticks EVERYWHERE. I may or may not have stolen an entire box of breadsticks and eaten them by myself.
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 Jeff Sankhagowit
Position: Senior Representative
Year: Senior
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What other engineering organizations are you involved with? What organizations outside of engineering are you involved with?
I’m not involved with too many organizations outside of AIChE. I like spending my time making it the best student org.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I would like to go in to industry- I’m just not sure which industry yet (oil/gas, chemicals, finance). Beyond that I would like to get an advanced degree, either an MBA or a Juris Doctor.
Why did you get involved with AIChE? What is your favorite part? Do you have a favorite memory?
I got involved with AIChE because my brother was president the year before I came to UT. Unfortunately, I never followed in his footstep. My favorite part about AIChE is the opportunities it provides. Besides hosting companies for meetings, AIChE has intramural teams, volunteer opportunities and social events. These are great way to relieve stress and get to meet other ChE’s. My favorite memory thus far was winning E-Week. It was nice to see our org participate and win as an underdog.
What was/is your favorite ChE Class, so far, and who was/is your favorite professor?
I’ve liked most of my ChE classes so far, so it’s hard to pick a favorite. I guess if I had to choose, I’d pick Transport because it challenged me to be a better student. I think my favorite professor so far was Dr. Hwang. I had him for Numerical Methods and he made class humorous.
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