Eight professionals with ties to Missouri University of Science and Technology were inducted into the Missouri S&T Academy of Chemical and Biochemical Engineers during an induction ceremony held April 9 in Rolla.

The academy recognizes outstanding alumni for their professional achievement and success. Academy members provide support and experience to help advise the university’s Linda and Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.  

New members are:

Tyronna Capers of Nashville, director of marketing at Bunge, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from S&T, a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Virgina and an MBA from the University of Chicago.  

Capers built her career foundation in the global food and ingredients industry by working at Kraft Foods and Kellogg Company. Capers also held global leadership roles at Fonterra for three years. At Bunge, she leads the North American marketing team for the oils division and serves as a co-lead for the Global Black Network.

Capers lives in Nashville with her husband. She participates in the Alpha Kapp Alpha Sorority. She is an avid runner and an accomplished marathoner.

Dr. Ryan Gilbert of Rolla, Missouri, is Missouri S&T’s Linda and Bipin Doshi Department Chair and professor of chemical and biochemical engineering. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

Prior to S&T, he held professorship positions at Michigan Technological University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Gilbert’s laboratory is focused on developing biomaterials for tissue regeneration and drug and gene biomaterials development, primarily for the treatment of nervous system injuries. The work has resulted in 90 peer-reviewed publications, an h-index of 39 and five patents.

Gilbert is a fellow of the American Institute of Biological and Medical Engineers and an editor-in-chief of the journal Cells Tissues Organs.

Curt Hassler of Kansas City, Missouri, a business development manager for Burns & McDonnell, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from S&T and an executive MBA from Rockhurst University.

Hassler has served in various roles in business development, engineering, technical service, research and development, and licensing. At Burns & McDonnell, he is focused on delivering predictable engineering, procurement and construction services for clients in the oil and gas downstream sector.

Hassler enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends.

Dr. Kyle Lampe of Charlottesville, Virginia, is an associate professor of chemical engineering at the University of Virginia, with additional appointments in biomedical engineering and neuroscience. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from S&T and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He trained as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University.

He was named to the American Society of Engineering Education’s “20 under 40” list of faculty for his mentoring, teaching and research. 

The Lampe Group investigates biomaterials for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery within the central nervous system. The group’s mission is to create a supportive environment for science and engineering trainees to study neural regeneration via integration of cell and material function.

Jason McHaney of Paducah, Kentucky, a senior process safety engineer for Arkema, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from S&T.

Over the course of his career at Arkema, McHaney has held a progression of engineering and operational leadership roles. In his current role, he leads efforts to ensure compliance with OSHA and EPA requirements.

Prior to joining Arkema, he began his career at The Ensign-Bickford Company as a production supervisor.

McHaney has been active and supportive of the Doshi Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and the Miner Alumni Association. He was instrumental in developing, implementing and teaching two courses, named Hazardous Material Management and Process Safety in the Chemical and Biochemical Industries. Jason and his wife, Kathy, have three children.

Joshua Meyer of O’Fallon, Missouri, technical consultant for Emerson, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from S&T.

Meyer joined Emerson after graduation and successfully progressed in technical and leadership positions. In his current role, he leads large-scale automation programs. He has led major initiatives for global organizations, while overseeing multi-site projects and leading diverse engineering teams. 

Meyer is a licensed professional engineer in Missouri. He is a senior member of AIChE and the International Society of Automation. Joshua and his wife, Julie, have three children.

Dr. Srivatsan Raman of Madison, Wisconsin, is the S.C. Fang Endowed Professor and vice chair of the department of biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and director of the NIH T32 Biotechnology Training Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Baroda University in India, a master’s degree from S&T, and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington in Seattle.

He has authored 45 peer-reviewed publications and holds five patents. His research focuses on understanding and designing biomolecular systems using high-throughput functional assays. His honors include the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award and the NSF CAREER Award.

Raman’s civic activities include community lectures and festivals, K-12 and educator outreach, student mentorship, and entrepreneurship and ethics forums.

Christina Witt of Waterloo, Illinois, a facility engineering manager for MilliporeSigma, earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from S&T.

She began her career in pharmaceutical manufacturing as a process engineer at Mallinckrodt Specialty Chemicals. She later joined Alpharma, where she managed capital projects, including a cleanroom expansion and a process control system upgrade in a fill-finish facility. In 2004, Witt joined MilliporeSigma. Since 2017, she has held multiple leadership roles.

Christina is a member of Tau Beta Pi and Omega Chi Epsilon, as well as AIChE and the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers. She is married to David, an S&T alumnus in computer science, and they have two sons.