CHEE Class Notes - Fall 2022
Mario Rojas
Class of 2011, PhD in Chemical Engineering
mariorojasc7@gmail.com
I’m chief of data analytics for the University of Texas System – University Lands. I have over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas and chemical industries, having held roles such as project manager, research and development leader and data analytics program lead. Before joining University Lands, I worked for ChampionX (Formerly Nalco Champion), Schlumberger and Petróleos de Venezuela).
I have published in 15 peer-reviewed publications and have been awarded four U.S. patents. I’ve worked on global product development and deployment projects. I have a BS and an MS in materials engineering from Simon Bolivar University in Venezuelain addition to my University of Arizona degree. I have also completed post-graduate training in data science and business analytics at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin.
In addition to working in industry, I’ve served as an adjunct faculty in engineering for the University of Houston and the University of Oklahoma, teaching and advising graduate students’ research work.
I live in Katy, Texas, with my family. I , enjoy Texas barbecue, making craft beer, and spending time with my family and friends. I love to travel, and my most recent trip was around Spain and Portugal.
Aidan Blum
Class of 2016, BS in Chemical Engineering
blum.aidan@gmail.com
I left my job with Eastman Chemical Company this past spring to join 3M as a remote project manager. This allowed my wife, Mariah, and me to travel in our new camper van, following her assignments as a travel nurse. We spent this summer in New Hampshire and relocated to New Mexico for the fall. I have no idea where the new year will take us, but we’ve been having a blast along the way! The photo shows us celebrating our anniversary in Acadia National Park. Wishing everyone the best!
Christian Frank
Class of 2019, BS in Chemical Engineering
Class of 2020, MS in Chemical Engineering
christian.michael.frank@gmail.com
Mallory McMurray
Class of 2019, BS in Chemical Engineering
Class of 2020, MS in Chemical Engineering
mallorymc19@gmail.com
I’m engaged to my college sweetheart, Mallory McMurray. We’re excited to get married this May at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church Tucson! Mallory and I first met sophomore year in one of Paul Blowers' classes. As I remember it, that year during syllabus week he remarked on the likely odds that a few of us might meet our future spouse in his class. How funny it is now to say that has come true!
After graduating with her master’s, Mallory moved to the Tri-Cities in Washington state, which is famous for the role it played in the Manhattan project. Although plutonium production at the site ended several decades ago, there’s still a ton of work being done to clean up the remaining hazardous waste. Mallory worked on one of the strategic planning teams spearheading the cleanup effort.
After I proposed to Mallory in February, she moved back to the Phoenix area, where she’s applying her water treatment knowledge in her job at Intel’s Ocotillo site.
After I completed my master’s, I began working at NXP Semiconductors as a chemical vapor deposition process engineer. I have been on several teams at NXP. Whether helping to lead the fab ramp effort, redesigning process modules, or engineering solutions for the supply chain crunch, NXP has provided me numerous opportunities to apply the skills I learned at the University of Arizona.
We took this photo on a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway while moving Mallory back to Phoenix with our newly adopted dog, Spud.
Jessica Peebles
Class of 2020, BS in Chemical Engineering
Class of 2021, MS in Chemical Engineering
jessicalynnpeebles@gmail.com
I am a material process and physics engineer for Boeing Research and Technology. I focus on material and chemical compatibility for Boeing Defense and Space, Phantom Works in Seattle.
I married the love of my life, Jason Halcomb, this past July in Washington and we traveled to the Maldives on our honeymoon!
Andrew Stafford
Class of 2021, BS in Chemical Engineering
andrewstafford@arizona.edu
I’ve been pursuing an advanced degree and will graduate with my master's in industrial hygiene in May 2023. I got engaged to Toni this past summer and we will spend next few months planning our wedding! I have also been working as an intern for Raytheon in Tucson as an industrial hygienist. I plan to continue working in industry as a health and safety engineer.