David Hickey, a researcher at Michigan State University, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
NSF CAREER Awards support junior faculty members who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research and education. It is among NSF’s most prestigious national honors.
Hickey, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, will combine the selectivity of enzymes with the scalability of electrochemical methods using a $550,000 NSF grant over the next five years.
The project, Developing Electrode Interfaces for Bioelectrochemical Synthesis , aims to use electricity instead of traditional chemicals to power enzyme-catalyzed reactions, creating a greener way to make important industrial and pharmaceutical compounds.
“By expanding the use of enzymes in chemical synthesis, this work could reduce reliance on costly reagents and harsh reaction conditions and pave the way for more efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes,” he said.
The project also will create new technical training opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals who are preparing to enter the workforce in the manufacturing and applied chemistry sectors.
“The Habilitation for Opportunities in Professional Engineering and Science (HOPES) program offers targeted training in laboratory techniques and electrochemical methods to individuals re-entering the workforce after incarceration,” Hickey explained. “This approach not only expands access to STEM careers but also builds the technical workforce necessary to support bioelectrochemical manufacturing technologies.”
Interim Engineering Dean John Papapolymerou said the newest CAREER Award brings the college’s total to 23 since 2020.
“This important and prestigious NSF award is an investment in early scholars who will make significant contributions to society throughout their careers,” Papapolymerou said. “I look forward to the growth of Dr. Hickey’s project and its impact on workforce development for Michigan and the Midwest.”
Hickey has authored or coauthored more than 80 publications and five book chapters. He holds two patents. His research has been featured on the covers of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, ChemElectroChem, and the AIChE Journal, and it has been highlighted several times in Chemical Engineering Progress (CEP) and Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) magazines.
He did post-doctoral work at the University of Utah after receiving doctoral and bachelor’s degrees in chemistry at the University of Oklahoma. Hickey joined MSU in August 2019.
Written by Patricia Mroczek
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page