Chemical Engineering Student Awarded Annual Coyne Family Scholarship

Christina Rosati ChE ’11 has received the annual Coyne Family Scholarship, given by Stephanie Hopper ME ’90 in honor of her father, John W. Coyne CE ’46, to the College of Engineering. This merit-based scholarship is awarded to an engineering student who demonstrates both excellent academic achievements and leadership qualities.

Dr. Randy Weinstein, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering, nominated Rosati because she is at the top of her class, shows an interest in learning material beyond what is required for the assignment or exam, and remains a leader among her peers and fellow engineers.

“It is truly an honor to have received this award. The money that this scholarship provides will also be a great help to me and my family,” says Rosati.

Hopper, now the Director of Labs for the College of Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology, chose engineering at Villanova because she wanted a degree that would assist her in finding a lifelong career and allow her to practice anywhere in the world. She established the Coyne Family Scholarship because she felt fortunate to graduate without loans, and she wanted to help future Villanova engineers offset the cost of higher education.

Growing up, Rosati always loved math and science and found that she could combine these skills with a knack for problem-solving as a chemical engineer at Villanova. Her research interests involve the production of alternative energy, with a focus on producing hydrogen from waste glycerol through the biodiesel process.

“It's an incredibly interesting project, and I love it because it is a completely sustainable process. Ninety-five percent of hydrogen produced right now is from fossil fuels, making hydrogen an unsustainable fuel source. If this research is successful, it could create a sustainable, green fuel source that could have a major impact on the future of energy,” says Rosati.

In addition to her studies, Rosati is also the president of the Society of Women Engineers, the chapter vice president of Engineers Without Borders, a member of Tau Beta Pi, a committee chair for the Engineering Student Council, a campus tour guide for the Blue Key Society, a member of AIChE, a vocalist for the Pastoral Musicians, and a three-time participant in Campus Ministry's Habitat for Humanity Service Break Trips. She has also co-led an Engineers Without Borders (EWB) trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming and did work with EWB in Panama over Fall Break.

After graduation, Rosati hopes to enter the work force to start applying her engineering knowledge in the nuclear power industry.