{"id":103253,"date":"2021-02-18T10:32:57","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T16:32:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.olemiss.edu\/?p=103253"},"modified":"2021-02-25T09:04:37","modified_gmt":"2021-02-25T15:04:37","slug":"wei-yin-chen-bidding-ole-miss-farewell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web20.olemiss.edu\/news\/wordpress\/wei-yin-chen-bidding-ole-miss-farewell\/","title":{"rendered":"Wei-Yin Chen Bidding Ole Miss Farewell"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Wei-Yin Chen, professor of chemical engineering, demonstrates the flammable properties of coal. Photo by Robert Jordan\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/p><\/div>\n

When Wei-Yin Chen moved from his native country of Taiwan to the United States, he envisioned becoming a mathematician. Nine years into a successful research career and ready for a change, he accepted a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Department of Chemical Engineering<\/a> at the University of Mississippi.<\/p>\n

Come June 30, after teaching hundreds of students and receiving dozens of recognitions, Chen will be retiring from the university he has loved and served faithfully for more than three decades.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will miss the beautiful Ole Miss campus tremendously,\u201d said the professor of chemical engineering. \u201cTracy (his wife) and I walked to every corner of our campus during the COVID-19 era. It was fun to see hungry squirrels following us, and the campus from different points and times of the day. These scenes will remain images in our minds.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Tale of Two Cities and Four Degrees<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chen\u2019s journey to America began in New York City. After he earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in chemical engineering from Tunghai University in Taiwan, Chen migrated to the Big Apple in 1973 and began pursuing separate master\u2019s degrees at two graduate schools.<\/p>\n

He received Master of Science degrees in applied mathematics and chemical engineering from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and the Polytechnic Institute of New York, respectively, both in 1975. He earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the City University of New York in 1982.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came to the U.S. with a goal to be an applied mathematician with special focus on stochastic (random) processes,\u201d Chen said. \u201cThe energy crisis of 1970s broke out at the beginning of my graduate study, so I decided to tackle novel carbon conversion technologies for efficient and clean power generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Better Prospects Called<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chen conducted contract research at Gulf South Research Institute and Louisiana State University for nine years in the 1980s. He joined the Ole Miss engineering<\/a> faculty because he recognized it offered him better opportunities for professional growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a tenure-track assistant professor in 1990, it gave me a higher degree of freedom in performing my teaching, research and services,\u201d he said. \u201cI was promoted to associate professor and professor in 1993 and 2000, respectively.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Wei-Yin Chen discusses his climate change research with students in his laboratory. Photo by Robert Jordan\/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services<\/p><\/div>\n

Chen\u2019s research has always been centered around the sciences and technologies of carbon conversion and applied mathematics. While the topic remains his major effort, he began thinking nearly 15 years ago about the rest of his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy passion on mitigating the grand challenge of global climate change has guided (me) through my activities since then,\u201d Chen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of my peers told me that I was far too late at that time because CO2 capture had been an active research topic for about two decades at that time. I did not agree because what was done before on carbon conversion is a closely related issue while low-cost technologies are still to be developed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding His Niche<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deciding to commit to the issue of climate change, Chen formed the Sustainable Energy and Environment Group<\/a> at Ole Miss. The move proved to be a breakthrough achievement for both Chen and the university.<\/p>\n

\u201cSEEG pioneered the use of ultrasound, light, nonthermal plasma, biological, chemical and magnetic methods to modify the material surface for carbon gasification, carbon activation for CO2 capture and wastewater treatment, soil amendment, anaerobic digestion, algae growth, electrode fabrication, desalination\/deionization and so forth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe research of carbon activation for pollutants adsorption has been funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation in a four-year, $6 million study.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chen and his colleagues edited the multivolume “Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation\u201d that has emerged as the leading reference on the subject. About 10 researchers at Ole Miss participated in the first two editions of the text. The third edition of the text is being edited.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe UM library<\/a> has a set of my donated books,\u201d he said. \u201cSEEG also offered lectures and seminar courses, developed experimental modules and established collaborations around the globe. Some of my peers now tell me that I am ahead of my time on climate change. Much work remains to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Teaching Is the Real Thing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research recognitions and rewards aside, Chen said the most fulfilling aspect of his career has been teaching his students. He has taught upper-level undergraduate courses and graduate courses including thermodynamics, reaction engineering and mathematical courses including linear and nonlinear differential equations, stochastic processes and nonlinear dynamical systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be successful engineers, our students must be equipped with both fundamental concepts and computational skills,\u201d Chen said. \u201cClear concepts are the pillars of inductive and deductive reasoning. Computational skills relate the knowledge to the actual issues. Fundamental concepts and computational skills allow practitioners, engineers and researchers to take challenges comfortably.\u201d<\/p>\n

To this end, Chen has been offering his own study guides and weekly recitation sessions. These pedagogical tools have been effective for large classes with large variations in students\u2019 readiness.<\/p>\n

\u201cA commissioned review article of \u2018Chemical Engineering Education\u2019 considered my pedagogies for thermodynamics and reaction engineering the \u2018best practice\u2019 for junior faculty to know,\u201d Chen said. \u201cI was one of the few instructors listed in two of the five core course categories. A few students have decided to pursue their careers in applied mathematics after my introduction of these beautiful sciences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Receiving His Due<\/strong><\/p>\n

National and international recognition has its place, but for Chen, nothing is more rewarding than being honored at the local level.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that I was the first faculty member in the School of Engineering who received all the research, teaching and service awards,\u201d he said. \u201cI was also nominated twice for the university\u2019s Distinguished Professor honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Wei-Yin Chen (right) shares a moment with Marni Kendricks, assistant dean in the School of Engineering, and Nosa Egiebor, former UM executive director of global engagement, at the Huangpu River skyline in Shanghai during a 2015 trip to South China. Submitted photo<\/p><\/div>\n

The much-in-demand scholar has served as a panelist, reviewer or adviser for research organizations in the U.S., China, Romania, Pakistan, India, Jordan, Malaysia and several other countries.<\/p>\n

Chen has been an adjunct or visiting faculty at five universities in China and Taiwan. A prolific author himself, he is on the editorial board of five peer-reviewed journals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have reviewed manuscripts and book proposals for over 65 journals and publishers, and have been considered an outstanding reviewer by many journals,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Fond Remembrances<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some of Chen\u2019s colleagues, and current and former students expressed their appreciation for Chen and his contributions to their lives and careers.<\/p>\n

Baharak Sajjadi remembered Chen being \u201ckind as a close friend, supportive as a father, rigorous as an adviser and thorough in research.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the most memorable experiences I had was related to the best gift I received from his side, the second edition of the ‘Handbook of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation,’ which is the result of his many years of passionate work and collaboration with hundreds of authors from all over the world,\u201d said Sajjadi, research assistant professor in UM\u2019s Department of Chemical Engineering.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen he signed the handbook to me, he told me that I will see my name on the cover of the third edition. Soon, he invited me as one of the editors-in-chief of the third edition and placed my name ahead of his name. That opened a new window in my career. He is far beyond a supervisor to me. Far beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wesley Mills, a 2019 mechanical engineering alumnus from Oxford, recalled helping Chen find a larger classroom for his students to take Engineering Analysis III exams.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur classroom in Anderson was very crowded and the desks were very small, too small to spread out a test and papers to work the test on,\u201d said Mills, now a product engineer for Parker Hannifin Engine Mobile Original Equipment Division. \u201cI look back and see him as not only a great professor but also as a friend. I would stop by his office in Anderson Hall and see how he was doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yanxi \u201cKritsa\u201d Peng said Chen\u2019s caring made her a better student and changed her career goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore each help session, I would come two hours early and wait outside his office to finish my (Engr 321 homework) assignment,\u201d said Peng, a senior mechanical engineering major from Beijing, China.<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Chen noticed that pattern, and every once in a while, he would walk out of the office and ask if I had any difficulties with the homework. After explaining the problem clearly to me, he would make sure that I could also explain this problem clearly to him or to other students. With his help, I not only got an A on Engr 321, but I also made my future plan to become a professor because of him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ready for the Next Chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Chens are already planning what they will do in retirement.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife and I enjoy reading biography and history books and watching also movies of the same categories,\u201d he said. \u201cI still have a few active research, editorial and writing projects that will be finished in the coming years. We plan to travel to different continents to visit colleagues, collaborators, friends and relatives during the retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n

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When Wei-Yin Chen moved from his native country of Taiwan to the United States, he envisioned becoming a mathematician. Nine years into a successful research career and ready for a change, he accepted a tenure-track assistant professor position in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Mississippi. 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