Phillip Savage (left) and Michael Janik (right) of the chemical engineering department, have been named distinguished professors by the Penn State Office of Faculty Affairs. Credit: Penn State Engineering.
Penn State names two chemical engineering faculty distinguished professors for 2026
Feb 16, 2026
Editor’s note: A version of this article originally appeared on Penn State News.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State's Office of Faculty Affairs has named 14 new distinguished professors for 2026, including Michael Janik and Phillip Savage of the Robert V. Waltemeyer Department of Chemical Engineering.
The distinguished professor or distinguished librarian title recognizes outstanding academic contribution to the University. This special academic title is bestowed upon a limited number of professors who are leaders in their fields of research or creative activity and who have demonstrated significant accomplishments with respect to teaching, research or creative activity, and service.
Janik studies computational catalysis, and his research has shaped fundamental understanding and advanced applications in catalysis. Janik joined Penn State in 2006 and was promoted to professor in 2015. He serves as associate editor of the Journal of Catalysis and is also a co-editor and author of the textbook "Computational Catalysis." Janik’s collaborative approach has led to impactful partnerships across Penn State and internationally.
Savage, who researches hydrothermal chemistry and engineering, joined Penn State in 2014 as head of what is now the Robert V. Waltemeyer Department of Chemical Engineering. His pioneering work has advanced green chemical synthesis, biofuels, chemical recycling of plastics and waste valorization. Savage is a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and American Chemical Society. He also served for 10 years as editor-in-chief of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, one of the field’s leading journals.
View the full list of 2026 distinguished professors here.
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