Congratulations to Carlos Rinaldi-Ramos, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Dean’s Leadership Professor at the University of Florida, who was recently elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). The honor, awarded at AIChE’s annual conference in San Francisco, recognizes Rinaldi-Ramos’s outstanding service to the profession and his significant contributions to advancing chemical engineering. 

As department chair, Rinaldi-Ramos has led the strategic development of the department, overseeing two multi-million-dollar facility renovations to enhance research and educational spaces.  

His research focuses on magnetic nanoparticle technology, particularly in biomedical engineering, where his team investigates nanoparticle stability, mobility in biological environments, and magnetic properties. Their work is pioneering new applications in cancer therapy and magnetic particle imaging (MPI), a cutting-edge imaging modality that enables the tomographic, quantitative evaluation of magnetic nanoparticles in living subjects. MPI holds transformative potential for cancer treatment and cell tracking in immunotherapies. 

Rinaldi-Ramos’s dedication to the field extends beyond research and teaching. He has played a key role in AIChE, notably as chair of its Minorities Affairs Committee, which he helped evolve into the Minority Affairs Community. This expansion allowed the group to better serve AIChE’s mission of workforce development.  

Additionally, Rinaldi-Ramos has led the Southeastern Chemical Engineering Department Chairs Conference for three years, fostering collaboration and problem-solving among department chairs across institutions. His leadership in these roles reflects his commitment to mentoring and creating pathways for success within the chemical engineering community. 

Rinaldi-Ramos’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, in 1998, followed by a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2002. He joined the University of Florida in 2012 and became chair of the department in 2017. His recent election as an AIChE Fellow honors his continued contributions to chemical and biomedical engineering, leadership and commitment to advancing the field. 

For more information on Rinaldi-Ramos’s work, visit che.ufl.edu/rinaldi.