The University of Alabama Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Jason Bara, professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, as a Distinguished Research Professor. Bara was recognized for his international preeminence in his field.
Distinguished professorships are one of the highest honors granted to faculty members in The University of Alabama System, and they recognize outstanding achievement in scholarship, teaching and innovation that brings distinction to the University.
“I’m deeply honored by this recognition at The University of Alabama and the support of so many great students, colleagues and collaborators over the years,” Bara said. “I look forward to continuing to advance impactful research and educate the next generation of scientists.”
Bara’s research focuses on the development of advanced polymer materials, processes for clean energy production, green chemical manufacturing, 3D printing, big data and scientific apps for Apple technology.
Bara is a leader in the study of advanced polymers and composites based on ionic liquids, materials that provide exceptional opportunities to develop stable nanostructured materials with highly tunable chemical and physical properties for a variety of applications.
Dr. John Kim, associate professor and interim department head for the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, said this appointment is a testament to Bara’s distinction among his peers.
“The designation of Distinguished Research Professor is a strong public signal of nationally and internationally recognized scholarship for Dr. Bara. This recognition enhances the department’s standing by assuring peers, prospective hires, students and alumni of the department’s research strength,” Kim said. “It supports recruitment of strong faculty and students, reinforces retention by rewarding outstanding work, and validates Dr. Bara’s role as a leader on major grants and collaborations. In turn, that visibility strengthens departmental capacity — from securing resources to shaping strategic plans — by aligning research excellence with institutional goals.”
Further, Bara’s research group studies new high-performance solvents that efficiently capture carbon dioxide and/or sulfur dioxide at various conditions. Several of these solvents are in the process of being commercialized and have been tested in large pilot plant demonstration projects.
Bara has won several awards, including The University of Alabama Mid-Career Scholar Award, the Early Career Fellowship by the American Chemical Society Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division and the 2023 Permeance Prize awarded by the North American Membrane Society.