Krista S. Walton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Krista S. Walton
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| Born |
Krista Shereé Walton
c.1977 (age 47–48) |
| Known for | Adsorption Metal-organic framework Carbide-derived carbon Separation process Nanotechnology |
| Awards | Defense Science Study Group, 2020-2021 FRI/John G. Kunesh Award for Excellence in Separations Research, 2016, American Institute of Chemical Engineers ACS Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award, 2013 CAREER Award, National Science Foundation, 2009 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), DoD Recipient, 2007 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemical engineering Chemistry Chemical separations Adsorption science |
| Institutions | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Doctoral advisor | M. Douglas LeVan |
Krista Shereé Walton (born around 1977) is an amazing American chemical engineer. She is a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. There, she helps lead important research in chemical and biomolecular engineering. She is also the Associate Vice President for research operations and infrastructure.
Contents
Krista S. Walton: Her Early Life and Education
Krista Walton grew up on her family's farm. This farm was located in Killen, Alabama. She finished high school in 1995.
She then went to the University of Alabama in Huntsville. In 2000, she earned her degree in chemical and materials engineering. Later, in 2005, she received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering. She earned this from Vanderbilt University.
After her Ph.D., she did more research. This was at Northwestern University from 2005 to 2006. She focused on chemical and biological engineering.
Her Amazing Career as a Scientist
Krista Walton started her teaching career in 2006. She became an assistant professor at Kansas State University. During this time, she won many important research awards. One big award was the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2007.
In 2009, Professor Walton moved to the Georgia Institute of Technology. She joined the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. She became a full professor in 2016.
Leading Research Centers
In 2014, she became the first director of UNCAGE-ME. This is a special research center at Georgia Tech. It focuses on energy research. Her team even got renewed funding in 2018.
She has also been an editor for a science journal since 2014. It is called Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. She is very active in the Separations Division of AIChE. This group focuses on how to separate different chemicals.
Important Roles and Groups
From 2010 to 2015, she was the Treasurer for the International Adsorption Society. She also helped organize a big conference in 2022. It was about the basics of adsorption.
Professor Walton was chosen for the Defense Science Study Group (DSSG) in 2020. This group helps the government with science advice. It is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
From 2019 to 2023, she was an associate dean at Georgia Tech. Now, she helps lead research operations for the whole university.
What She Researches: Making Materials Better
Professor Walton's research group, called the Walton Group, studies special materials. These materials have tiny holes, making them "porous." They design and test these materials.
Solving Real-World Problems
Her team uses these materials for important tasks. For example, they work on capturing CO2 (carbon dioxide). This helps clean the air. They also work on purifying air and upgrading natural gas. Another cool project is collecting water from the air.
They are very interested in how different mixtures behave. They want to understand how these materials can separate chemicals. They also study how strong these materials are.
Mentoring and Publications
Krista Walton has guided many students. She has helped 21 students earn their Ph.D. degrees. She has also written over 100 scientific articles. These articles are reviewed by other experts.
She has also written parts of science books. One example is a chapter in the 9th edition of Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook. This is a very important book for chemical engineers. She often gives talks at conferences around the world.
Awards and Recognition
Krista Walton has received many awards for her amazing work:
- Fellow of the International Adsorption Society, 2021
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Award, 2021
- Selected for the Defense Science Study Group (DSSG), 2020–2021
- AIChE FRI/John G. Kunesh Award for Excellence in Separations Research, 2016
- University of Alabama-Huntsville Alumni of Achievement Award, 2015
- ACS Women Chemists Committee Rising Star Award, 2015
- International Adsorption Society Award for Excellence in Publications by a Young Member, 2013
- Kavli Fellow, National Academy of Sciences (NAS) German-American Frontiers of Science Symposium, 2012
- Young Scientist Delegation to "Summer Davos" in China, 2011
- National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2009
- Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), 2007
- Army Research Office Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award, 2007
- American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund Alternative Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2005
- AIChE Separations Division Graduate Research Award, 2005
- IBM Graduate Fellowship, 2000-2005
