A Scientific Approach

Kenneth Roberts

Title: Assistant Professor, Chemical
Engineering, North Carolina A&T State
University, Greensboro, N.C.

Education: Ph.D., Chemical Engineering,
University of South Carolina; M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina; B.S., Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Age: 34

As a child growing up in Atlanta, Kenneth Roberts showed an aptitude for math and science. His observant parents enrolled him in a series of summer enrichment programs to nurture his interest.

One pivotal program was DeKalb County's Scientific Tools and Techniques. Here Roberts learned about physics, astronomy, the life sciences, horticulture and more. An enthusiastic teacher made a long-lasting impression on him and soon Roberts was heading toward a career in chemical engineering.

Today Roberts is an assistant professor of chemical engineering at North Carolina A&T State University, a post he has held since 1997. Over a short time, he has racked up a string of awards and honors: the 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Research Award; the North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Outstanding Science; Mathematics and Engineering and Technology Award; the A&T Faculty Mentor Award; the American Society for Engineering Education New Faculty Award — and the list goes on.

Roberts' interests include catalysis and catalytic materials, development of environmentally benign technologies and processes, emission control technologies and nano-structured materials. His research contributes to the use of molten fuel cell performance as an alternative energy source and the conversion of industrial waste to more environmentally safe solvents.

"Dr. Roberts is an asset to N.C. A&T's intellectual capital portfolio. He has demonstrated his capacity to support existing research clusters and to spin off his own," says Dr. Earnestine Psalmonds, vice chancellor for research.