Weinkauf Named as Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar

Dr. Don Weinkauf, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at New Mexico Tech, has been selected by the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation as a 2005 Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar. The prestigious award was presented this year to 7 faculty from Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Departments from throughout the nation. The honor comes with a $60,000 unrestricted grant to pursue new avenues of research. Weinkauf becomes the first faculty member among research universities in New Mexico to receive this national award.

Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars are selected based on accomplishments in scholarly research with undergraduates, as well as a compelling commitment to teaching in the chemical sciences. Dr. Weinkauf’s undergraduate students have been nationally recognized for their research under his direction. During his tenure at New Mexico Tech, he has provided over $100,000 in salary support for undergraduates through his research grants.

Weinkauf says “This award is really a reflection of our Department’s commitment to involving students in research, as well as the products of their ingenuity in my lab. I am grateful to my students and to the Institute for setting the tone for this work to take place.”

Weinkauf’s work is exploring the deposition of thin plasma polymer film materials with applications in membranes, microsensors, and fuel cells. Current undergraduate work also involves the design of plasma reactors for the production of surface modified nanoparticles. The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and several other collaborations including projects with researchers at the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Lab, and Sandia National Labs have funded his work.

Dr. Weinkauf joined the New Mexico Tech faculty in 1996 as the first full-time member of the Chemical Engineering Department . He is the recipient of the Institute’s 2001 Distinguished Teaching Award. He has also served as Department Chair for the past 8 years. Prior to joining New Mexico Tech, Weinkauf was a Research Engineer with Shell Chemical Company in Houston, Texas.

The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation established the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program in 1969 to support the teaching and research careers of talented young faculty in the chemical sciences.