DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Villanova’s College of Engineering offers a distinctive PhD program leading to a Doctorate of Philosophy.
Congruent with the University’s mission, the doctoral program emphasizes excellence, innovation and integrity in research, scholarship and education. Its purpose is to educate highly qualified engineering scholars for academia, industry and government.
Doctoral candidates wishing to concentrate their studies in Chemical Engineering or Biochemical Engineering will take courses and pursue research projects reflecting the specialties of the department’s highly distinguished and nationally recognized faculty, including:
- Biomass Resources and Conversion
- Catalyst Development
- Computational Modeling
- Biomaterials and Drug Delivery
- Gene Therapy and Blood Substitutes
- Pharmaceutical Processing
- Systems Biology
Research and Facilities
The College of Engineering has an active research environment with projects sponsored by industry partners, governmental agencies and foundations.
Explore:
Professional Development
The College is unique in its professional development program for doctoral students, which reflects Villanova’s commitment to high quality teaching and close attention to the student, as well as development of the whole person. Based on your area of professional interest, two tracks are available: Academic Scholars and Industry Scholars. Each offers the option to pursue a corresponding certificate.
In addition, Villanova’s Career Center recognizes and supports the unique career needs of graduate students as you pursue new academic and career goals. Tailored advising and guidance are available as well as online resources that use the latest technology to network, polish your resume, job search, prepare for an interview and more.
Courses
Learn more by exploring the Graduate Course Schedule for Chemical Engineering and the Graduate Course Schedule for Biochemical Engineering.
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
“Villanova’s program is very geared toward pharma, so I’m using the things I learn in class in my everyday work.”
Lucia Fernandez ’20 MSBChE
Current PhD student
Scientist, Engineering, Merck
“My advisor’s industrial experience came with a great sense of knowing what is realistic and brought access to industry research projects, expanded networking opportunities, and most importantly, his management skills. He pushes me hard, but always has a sense of reality and work/life balance.”
Anthony Vallace, '21 PhD
Doctoral Fellow
Villanova University
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
KELSEY O’DONNELL
Title: Pivotal Drug Product Process Development Scientist, Amgen
PhD Concentration: Biochemical Engineering
Research Focus: Effectiveness of TEMPO-oxidized nanofibrillated cellulose controlling drug release
DEVON ZIMMERMAN
Title: Scientist, Drug Product Development Biologics, Janssen Research & Development
PhD Concentration: Biochemical Engineering
Research Focus: Gene and cell therapies
TAMARA LOZANO
Title: Inside Sales Engineer, Yokogawa
PhD Concentration: Chemical Engineering
Research Focus: Computational modeling of catalysis
RENÉ GARRIDO
Title: Associate Professor, University of Santiago, Chile
PhD Concentration: Chemical Engineering
Research Focus: Thermochemical conversion of waste lignocellulosic biomass and catalytic upgrading