Membrane Sciences News Today

University of Kentucky Alumni Chair Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering Dibakar Bhattacharyya is also the director of the UK Center of Membrane Sciences. In addition, he is a co-principal investigator of the UK National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program and is renowned for his research on membranes for filtering and producing clean water.

Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., is one of this year’s Great Teacher Award recipients. For the UK College of Engineering professor known across campus as "DB," there is nothing more exciting than that “aha” moment when a student realizes their full potential. Teaching students continues to drive Bhattacharyya, now in his sixth decade at UK.

Presented by the University of Kentucky Alumni Association, the Great Teacher Award is UK's longest-running award that recognizes teaching. Six recipients of the 2023 award were celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Central Bank Center in Lexington.

The award, given by the North American Membrane Society (NAMS), recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to membrane science and technology through technical innovations and exceptional lifetime achievements.

A team of faculty and students across campus developed the face mask membrane that can capture and deactivate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on contact. The innovation is another layer of protection against COVID-19 that can help prevent the virus from spreading.

Escobar’s appointment takes effect July 1, 2022.