Academic research is a critical component of our ability to tackle the world’s most pressing problems, whether they are in health, energy, the environment, or beyond. Fundamental knowledge about potential solutions — as well as the nature of the problems themselves — must be amassed before those solutions can be implemented in a rational, effective way.
The fruit of such research takes time to mature, and those who conduct it need reliable, consistent support to maximize their yield.
With that goal in mind, the University of Utah’s John and Marcia Price College of Engineering has appointed Kody Powell to the John A. and Amy B. Williams Endowed Professorship in Chemical Engineering.
An associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Powell’s research focuses on solving critical energy problems. Using the tools of systems engineering, his lab studies synergistic energy systems where renewable and conventional energy sources complement one another. His work has resulted in more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and $11 million in funding.
Powell is the Director of the Intermountain Industrial Assessment Center (IIAC), which helps companies identify innovative energy projects while simultaneously training students to become energy consultants. Since 2016, the IIAC has trained more than eighty students and has been the recipient of the Center of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Energy, the Green Business Award from Utah Business Magazine, and the Energy Champion Award from the Utah Association of Energy Engineers.
Powell earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering on a Presidential Scholarship at the University of Utah and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin where he was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and a Cockrell School of Engineering Fellow. Powell was also recognized as the 2023 Engineering Educator of the Year by the Utah Engineer’s Council and has received multiple awards for Excellence in Applied Energy Engineering Research by the United States Department of Energy.
John A. and Amy B. Williams
Dr. John Williams, PhD, PE, MBA, ASA, CFEI, AIChE Fellow, and EPS Founder & General Manager, is an international expert in conventional/renewable energies and chemical technology designs, operations, intellectual property, forensics, and financial analyses.
In Dr. Williams’ nearly three decades of leadership, EPS has provided innovative engineering to deliver environmentally positive solutions and cost-effective Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) services. Fast-tracking of technology development and design processes was frequently key to these achievements.
EPS continues to provide expert technical analysis, forensic investigations, and financial appraisals for conventional and renewable energy and chemical technologies, including petroleum refining, oil and gas, coal, power generation, electricity, solar, wind, biofuels, biomass, biogas, nuclear, gasification, oxidation, fermentation, bioprocessing, water treatment, and waste-to-energy technologies and facilities.
Prior to founding EPS in 1995, John was an innovator in developing and commercializing energy technologies for Babcock & Wilcox, green chemistries for Monsanto, and bioprocessing operations for Bayer. John earned his PhD at the University of Utah and has often given back to the University in appreciation for his formative engineering education.
John and his wife of 43 years, Amy, have reared four accomplished adult children and have five grandchildren. Amy relishes being a grandmother through playdates and frequent communication with her grandchildren. She enriches her community through volunteer work and her infectious laughter. In her spare time, Amy is an accomplished needlepoint worker and enjoys reading historical nonfiction. Together, John and Amy love time with family, traveling, athletics, and music performances.