MIT appoints Fikile Brushett as the head of its Chemical Engineering Practice School.

Fikile R. Brushett has been named as the new director of MIT's David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice, effective from July 1. Brushett, an internationally recognised leader in the field of energy storage, takes over from T. Alan Hatton who directed the practice school for 36 years.

The practice school, which is part of ChemE's MSCEP and PhD/ScDCEP programs, was founded in 1916 by MIT chemical engineering alumnus Arthur D. Little and Professor William Walker. Over the years, under Hatton's leadership, the practice school expanded globally and across industries. Hatton pioneered the model of recruiting new companies each year for the practice school, making it unique in higher education by focusing on industry's toughest challenges.

Brushett, a faculty member at MIT since 2012, has been actively involved with the practice school. He has served as a first-year undergraduate advisor, a member of the department's graduate admissions committee, and on MIT's Committee on the Undergraduate Program. During his practical internships at the MIT Chemical Engineering School, he worked with companies such as 3M and other industrial partners.

The practice school continues to embody MIT's commitment to hands-on, problem-driven learning that transforms both students and the industries they serve. Each station experience includes teams of two or three students working on a month-long project at host company sites for two months each at two stations. Recent practice school stations include Evonik in Marl, Germany; AstraZeneca in Gaithersburg, Maryland; EGA in Dubai, UAE; AspenTech in Bedford, Massachusetts; and Shell Technology Center and Dimensional Energy in Houston, Texas.

Kristala L. J. Prather, the Arthur D. Little Professor and head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, praised Brushett's appointment, stating, "Fikile is an outstanding choice to lead the practice school. His expertise in energy storage and his dedication to student success make him an ideal fit for this role."

T. Alan Hatton's name is synonymous with the program at MIT's David H. Koch School of Chemical Engineering Practice. Under his leadership, the practice school has consulted with companies worldwide across various fields. The first five sites of the practice school focused on traditional chemical industries, but under Hatton's guidance, it expanded to include a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to energy.

Brushett's research focuses on the science and engineering of electrochemical technologies for a sustainable energy economy. As the new director, he is poised to continue Hatton's legacy of innovation and industry collaboration. The practice school remains committed to preparing students for real-world challenges and equipping them with the skills necessary to make a significant impact in their chosen fields.

The practice school, funded initially by George Eastman of Eastman Kodak, continues to thrive and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the chemical engineering industry. With Brushett at the helm, it looks forward to a future of continued growth and success.

MIT appoints Fikile Brushett as the head of its Chemical Engineering Practice School.