The University of Alabama’s student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers earned notable honors at the Southern Regional AIChE Conference in Tampa, Florida.
The conference brings together chemical engineering students from across the southeastern United States for a weekend of technical competitions, professional development workshops, research presentations and networking with peers. It is one of the most prominent regional gatherings hosted by AIChE each year.
Representing UA, rising junior David Ball earned first place in the Student Technical Presentation competition and will advance to compete at the national AIChE conference in Boston this October.
“I was extremely proud to receive the award and represent UA,” Ball said. “Coupled with the news of winning the bid for the 2027 regional conference and watching my friend Owen win the poster competition, I hope our AIChE chapter can carry this momentum into 2025–26.”
Looking ahead to nationals, Ball is excited about the opportunities awaiting him in Boston.
“I am eager to meet professors and fellow undergraduate students in research,” he said. “As I am applying for Ph.D. programs upon graduation from UA in 2027, I hope to meet potential faculty advisors and learn about chemical engineering departments across the world.”
Rising senior Owen Lubic earned first place in the Student Research Poster competition, showcasing excellence in undergraduate research.
“It felt really great!” Lubic said. “I have presented at multiple conferences before the Southern Regional Conference, but this was my first award for a poster presentation. I have always viewed presenting as a skill I could enhance, so I have focused on cultivating this skill during my time here at UA. This award ultimately shows how I have improved my communication and presentation skills and inspires me to continue refining my weaknesses.”
To prepare for the competition, Lubic said he focused on repetition and building confidence.
“I ran through my poster multiple times before actually presenting,” Lubic said. “My presentation pretty much became muscle memory, which allowed me to deliver it effectively to the judges.”
Ball and Lubic are also members of UA’s Chem-E Car team, which designs, builds and tests a miniature car that starts and stops solely on chemical reactions. The team demonstrated resilience and creativity under pressure while competing at the conference. Dr. Stephanie Loveland,
professor of chemical and biological engineering and the faculty advisor for the team, praised their persistence throughout the event.
“There were several obstacles they had to overcome, such as missing chemicals and an electrical problem, but they never gave up,” she said. “My goals for them were to have fun, learn something and catch the ‘bug’ for Chem-E Car. All of these goals were met, and they are already planning ahead for next year.”
The UA AIChE student chapter successfully won the bid to host the 2027 Southern Regional Conference, marking the Capstone as a hub for innovation, collaboration and leadership.
“Being selected to host the conference is great for the chapter, the department and the College of Engineering,” said Loveland. “It will give us a chance to highlight all the great things going on at UA when students from 32 schools gather here.”
Events like the Southern Regional Conference are more than just competitions; they play a critical role in student development.
“These conferences give the students opportunities for professional development and a chance to showcase their skills,” Loveland explained. “Most importantly, they get to network with other chemical engineering students who will be their peers in the field after they graduate.”
Reflecting on the broader impact of involvement in AIChE, Loveland added, “Chemical engineering is a ‘small world,’ and it still amazes me how the connections I’ve made within the AIChE community over the past 20 years have affected the trajectory of my career.”
These accomplishments of the AIChE chapter reflect not only the exceptional talent and dedication of UA’s chemical engineering students but also the chapter’s growing influence on the regional and national stage.