The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) honored chemical engineering former student Dr. Jennifer Carvajal with the Patent Recognition Award for her continuing work on polymer circularity and its effect on global engineering.
The Patent Recognition Award recognizes Carvajal for her contributions to innovation in raw materials within the chemical engineering industry through the patent awarded during her former position at ExxonMobil Chemical, according to SWE.
The patent focuses on the oligomerization of olefins in the presence of a zeolite catalyst and enabling new feedstocks for key industry applications. These oligomers have numerous end uses, including surfactant markets, among others. Oligomerization is a chemical process that converts monomers (small molecules) to macromolecules (long and big molecules).
Carvajal, now the director for innovation and sustainability for next-generation resins at PepsiCo, received the award during the 2023 annual SWE conference in Los Angeles, CA.
“Polymer circularity is a relatively new concept within the industry, also referred to as advanced recycling,” Carvajal said. “Circular economy and circular materials are shaping how the industry is going to re-adapt for a more sustainable future. We are looking for collaboration across the value chain to be able to commercialize these new technologies and make an impact for the future of our planet and kids.”
I would like to use this opportunity to invite all new generations of women engineers to continue to persevere, pivot when needed and continue to work hard for their dreams.
Carvajal’s passion for chemical engineering began before she attended Texas A&M University. However, she said the department fueled her interest in state-of-the-art technologies, polymers and nanotechnology and prepared her for the career that led to this award.
“Texas A&M has an outstanding curriculum and faculty,” Carvajal said. “They motivated my research and I also loved the opportunities I had as a student to learn about leadership by serving as president of the Society of Plastic Engineers and chemical engineering representative at the Nanotechnology Student Association, among other opportunities. Leadership is something that is necessary for a successful career in very competitive industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals or brand owners. I am forever thankful to Texas A&M for giving me an opportunity to develop those skills.”
Carvajal, who was a member of the Women in Science and Engineering organization while studying at Texas A&M, said that receiving an award from SWE is an honor.
“I would like to use this opportunity to invite all new generations of women engineers to continue to persevere, pivot when needed and continue to work hard for their dreams,” Carvajal said. “I encourage all young engineers to own her career progress, don’t allow anyone to discourage you or define you in your career path. Continue to be creative and demonstrate all you can do with your intelligence, imagination and talent.”
Before receiving her doctorate from Texas A&M, Carvajal earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Universidad Industrial de Santander in Colombia. Her career includes research and development roles with Dow Chemical and BASF Corporation, associate director for IHS Markit, and an innovation scout and market developer for ExxonMobil. While at Texas A&M, she worked as a research and development innovator in the field of nanotechnology within the chemical engineering department.