Mark Riley, associate dean for research, has been named acting director of the Biological Process Development Facility (BPDF). Wallace Buchholz, the director of the BPDF and professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, retired at the end of August. Learn more from The COE Update.
Dana AbuSwailem has been hired on to a new position as Registrar Information Specialist with Registration and Records. Dana’s last day with our department was last week. This is an exciting opportunity for Dana that is in alignment with her future goals.
Lameck Odhiambo will be retiring at the end of this year (December 31), however, his travels will be taking him out of the country beginning October 12. His last day in Lincoln will be October 11. Lameck joined BSE as a Research Associate Professor in 2010 conducting applied and field research in irrigation engineering and water management. There will be an opportunity to wish him well in person at the next birthday coffee on October 4.
The department was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. John Solie, a University of Nebraska alum and friend of the department. He passed away on September 26, 2019, at the age of 73. He was a professor at Oklahoma State University with their department of biosystems engineering, which he held for 28 years. John was an advisor to the ¼ scale tractor team where he encouraged students and guided them where needed. He was inducted into the BSE Hall of Fame in 2017. John's obituary was shared by Hemmingsen Funeral Home. A journal about John's life written by his daughter, Deborah Solie, can be found on Caring Bridge .
The department was saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Kara Niemeier, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate. She passed away on September 13, 2019, at the age of 37. She graduated with honors in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Systems Engineering; then in 2007 a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. After graduating she continued to excel in her career working at Agricultural Engineering Associates, Inc. in Uniontown, KS and then with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Hydrology section of the Kansas City district. Kara's obituary was shared by Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel.