Application deadline: April 18, 2025
Award Purpose/Scope: Intended to recognize mid-career Korean and Korean-American scientists
and engineers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership at the frontiers of scientific
knowledge in the general field of chemical engineering.
Over the years, Prof. James M. Lee played a seminal role in organizing the Korean chemical
engineering community in the U.S., and many people in this community have been influenced by
him, directly or indirectly. Prof. Lee’s example, counsel, and advice inspired countless
Korean/Korean-American scientists and engineers in the field of chemical engineering to seek
excellence in teaching, research, and service to the broader chemical community.
Recipient Qualifications: An individual award will be given to a principal investigator of Korean
descent affiliated with a U.S. institution of higher education, national laboratory, industrial
laboratory or non-profit research organization. The candidate should be employed on a full-time
basis as a tenured Associate or Full Professor or equivalent, and should have received his/her
doctoral degree, preferably, less than 15 years prior to the time of application.
Application Materials:Â An application package including a cover letter that includes a brief
statement of academic achievements and credentials as well as service to the KIChE US Chapter
(300 words or less), full CV, and one supporting letter from an expert in the candidate’s technical
field, preferably, outside of his/her institution must be submitted to the KIChE US Chapter Award
Selection Committee either by the applicant or the referee prior to the deadline via email to the
Committee Chair (Su Ha, School Director and Professor, Washington State University, Email:
suha@wsu.edu). Nominations can also be made by other individuals.
An award plaque and honorarium will be presented to the awardee at the AIChE Annual Meeting.
The awardee will be invited to give an award lecture at the KIChE Open Forum during the
upcoming AIChE Annual Meeting.