The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Carlos Rinaldi as Chair, of its Department of Chemical Engineering.
Dr. Rinaldi is the Dean’s Leadership Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering with a joint appointment in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering. Prior to the University of Florida, Professor Rinaldi was an Assistant Station Director of the MIT David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice and a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. Dr. Rinaldi joined the University of Florida in 2012, and most recently served as Senior Associate Chair of UF Biomedical Engineering from January 2016 to July 2017, and as Interim Chair of Chemical Engineering since August 2017.
Dr. Rinaldi is an internationally renowned scholar for his contributions to fluid mechanics and colloidal hydrodynamics of magnetic nanoparticle suspensions, with applications to biomedical therapeutics and diagnostics.
Dr. Rinaldi has received several awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in recognition of his contributions to magnetic nanoparticle research and to broadening participation of under-represented groups in engineering, and the International Journal of Nanomedicine Early Career Award for outstanding contributions to the field of nanomedicine. At UF, Rinaldi is also recognized for his dedication and service to faculty and students – he has been awarded a University of Florida Term Professorship, the Department of Chemical Engineering Excellence in Service Award, and the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Service Award.
“Dr. Rinaldi’s career has been distinguished by his visionary research accomplishments along with his excellent mentorship of students and junior colleagues,” said Cammy Abernathy, Dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at UF. “We are fortunate that he is willing to bring this same vision, energy and leadership to our Chemical Engineering program.”
“It is an exciting time to be a Gator Engineer,” said Dr. Rinaldi. “With tremendous opportunities for growth and to elevate the quality of our academic and research programs, our possibilities are endless. I look forward to working with the wonderful faculty, staff, and students in the Department of Chemical Engineering to build on our long history of excellence in scholarship as we develop solutions and train leaders to tackle society’s current and emerging problems.
Dr. Rinaldi received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez. He subsequently earned two master’s degrees in chemical engineering and chemical engineering practice, and a doctorate in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.