Professor Hector Budman, a process systems engineering specialist who conducts multi-disciplinary research in the pharmaceuticals, water treatment, minerals processing, and pulp and paper industries, was recognized with the 2019 Faculty of Engineering Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision at the Engineering Faculty & Staff Awards Dinner in E7 last night.
Long-term influence
The heartfelt letters of support endorsing Professor Budman’s nomination are powerful reminders of the importance of graduate supervision and the positive influence that a strong supervisor can have on a student’s career and personal life, as well as on the evolution of a discipline.
Professor Budman’s students, who have gone on to professional careers in industry and academia, praised Hector’s thoughtful and motivational teaching style, talent for developing their critical thinking skills, enthusiasm for learning from and with his students, and tireless efforts to facilitate their academic and individual success. His efforts supported their technical skills development, personal growth and professional achievements.
One student wrote “Hector’s patience and guidance helped me navigate the most challenging time period during my PhD research, when I struggled to find a way forward during a stalled period of exploration of ideas and experiments. This experience made me stronger as a researcher and an individual to face other challenges that life would throw at me in later years.”
The faculty members who endorsed Professor Budman’s nomination, some of whom had earned a graduate degree under his supervision, noted his dedication to nurturing the next generation of engineering leaders – innovative specialists who will further the field of process systems engineering (PSE). Under Budman’s mentorship, they develop the strong oral and written communication skills necessary to disseminate their research results, publishing in top international journals, presenting at international PSE conferences, and propelling the specialization forward.
Congratulations to Professor Budman for this recognition of the passion and dedication you have shown your students and the positive influence you have had on so many people.
Graduate studies in CHE
Each year, the Department of Chemical Engineering invites 50-75 highly qualified graduate students to work with our faculty in a diverse field of research ranging from biochemical engineering to environmental and pollution control to energy conversion and fuel cells. They develop their skills with a sound foundation in the fundamentals augmented by real-world experience with research projects aligned with industry and government sponsors.