AIChE Recognizes Bentley and Jewell as Fellows

On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, William Bentley, Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Chair and director of the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices and the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, and Christopher Jewell, MPower Professor and Robert E. Fischell Institute Professor of Translational Engineering, were formally recognized as American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Fellows at the 2025 AIChE Annual Meeting in Boston.

The title of Fellow is awarded to members with significant professional accomplishments and contributions in engineering, representing individuals who have advanced the science or practice of chemical engineering and contributed to the profession’s growth and community. The distinction can only be earned through election by the AIChE board of directors.

“I’m honored to join the community of AIChE Fellows,” said Bentley. “This recognition reflects not just my work in bioengineering and chemical-biological systems, but a continued commitment to mentoring others and advancing the role of chemical engineering in improving lives.”

Throughout his 30-plus years as a leading researcher, Bentley has pioneered the development of molecular biological tools for enhancing recombinant protein expression, for understanding and manipulating cell physiology in biomanufacturing environments, and for engineering bacterial cell-cell communication systems. His lab researches strategies for opening communication between devices and biological systems through a combination of biofabrication and bioelectronics.

Bentley has mentored 50 doctoral students, authored more than 400 papers and numerous patents, and has received awards from the AIChE, the American Chemical Society, the Society for Industrial Microbiology, the Department of Defense, the American Society for Microbiology, and the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He received the University System of Maryland’s Regents Award for Outstanding Research and Scholarly Activity in 2011 and was named a Distinguished University Professor in 2016.

Jewell joined the University of Maryland in 2012, and launched the Jewell Research Lab, which uses biomaterials and new tools to study immune processes to pioneer the next generation of therapeutics that can safely and selectively combat autoimmunity and cancer.

Jewell’s research has resulted in more than 130 published papers and numerous patent filings. His work is published in Nature, Nature Biotechnology, Science Immunology, Nature Materials, Cancer Cell, PNAS, Advanced Materials, Nature Communications, ACS Nano, Trends in Immunology, and others. Jewell’s efforts have been recognized with more than 50 awards for research, innovation, teaching, and education, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), awarded by the White House in 2019.

AIChE Fellows are expected to provide experience-based guidance to AIChE’s leadership and to contribute to the activities of many AIChE entities. By elevating Bentley and Jewell to Fellow status, AIChE recognises not only their individual technical and professional accomplishments, but also their commitment to service and leadership within the profession.

“The AIChE community has created countless opportunities for my own growth, supported my research, and served as a forum for me to help guide new generations of chemical engineers,” said Jewell. “I’m honored to be included as an AIChE Fellow.”

Published November 14, 2025