S. Ted Oyama honored with emeritus status
S. Ted Oyama, professor of chemical engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
Oyama, who came to Virginia Tech in 1993 and also served on the faculty at the University of Tokyo, is well known for his research into catalytic fuel processing, selective oxidation of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compound elimination, steam reforming, and membrane processes. He has developed heterogeneous catalysts and advanced inorganic membranes.
Oyama holds nine U.S. patents and three foreign patents, has co-authored more than 280 peer-reviewed publications, and has brought more than $8 million in research grants to Virginia Tech. He was invited to give more than 460 invited lectures including 45 plenary and keynote lectures at meetings, universities, and companies across the world.
In the classroom, Oyama taught courses in undergraduate reactor design and thermodynamics, as well as graduate courses in catalysis and kinetics. In addition, he directed 20 doctoral theses at Virginia Tech, supported postdoctoral associates and international visitors, served on many master’s degree and Ph.D. committees, and helped many students develop successful academic and industrial careers.
Oyama has received many professional honors and awards, including the Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Research Excellence, the Fred W. Bull Professorship of Chemical Engineering, the Humboldt Senior Researcher Award, the American Chemical Society’s Distinguished Researcher and Storch awards, selection to Fellow status in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society, and earned a place on the Stanford University list of top 2 percent of worldwide researchers.
Oyama also served as chair of the Division of Petroleum Chemistry of the American Chemical Society and as editor of one of the top journals in his field, the Journal of Catalysis.
Oyama received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Stanford University.
