Recent graduate credits Texas A&M mentorship for academic success after receiving a faculty position

Dr. Jianping Li ‘20 believes the multitude of research and student organization opportunities offered through the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering are central to launching successful careers. This played a role in his recent appointment of assistant professor at the University of Tulsa. 

As vice president of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChEGSA), Li’s collaboration with Texas A&M University’s esteemed faculty mentors prepared him for his current position. 

“This kind of opportunity really helps students — myself included — prepare for professional careers,” Li said. “Programs like the Academy for Future Faculty teach us how to navigate the path to becoming faculty members.” 

Li’s faculty mentors at Texas A&M also helped him pioneer his research in process systems engineering, one of the many benefits of working alongside them. 

“The faculty at Texas A&M are exceptional — not only in systems engineering, but across multiple disciplines,” Li said. “That breadth meant we didn’t just learn technical skills in process modeling, optimization and data analytics; we learned how to connect ideas across materials, computation and design to solve real problems while translating research into impact.”

Li’s current research centers on process and molecular system engineering, utilizing quantum and thermodynamic calculations. 

“My research is restricted at the process level,” Li said. “During the postdoctoral training, there were also discussions of how we could make decisions at the molecular level.” 

Li is developing an independent program in data-driven, multiscale process systems that integrates the training and technical skills he has acquired, while collaborating with University of Tulsa scholars.