TAMEST O’Donnell Awards 20th Anniversary Series: 2020 O’Donnell Award Recipient in Engineering Jeffrey D. Rimer, Ph.D., University of Houston

Jeffrey D. Rimer, Ph.D., a chemical and biomolecular engineer at the University of Houston (UH), has dedicated his career to understanding how crystals form and using that knowledge to design materials with real-world impact. In 2020, he received the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Engineering from TAMEST for his groundbreaking work using crystal engineering to advance treatments of diseases such as malaria and kidney stones.

As the Abraham E. Dukler Endowed Professor in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UH, Dr. Rimer leads a research program focused on uncovering the mechanisms of crystal growth and applying that knowledge to design materials with tailored properties. His work has combined fundamental research with industrial collaboration, focusing on how crystals can help tackle challenges in health, energy and sustainability – from improving pharmaceuticals to advancing carbon capture and catalytic technologies.

As TAMEST celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Awards, Dr. Rimer reflects on the evolution of crystal engineering and catalysis, the growing role of interdisciplinary research in addressing global challenges and the importance of the O’Donnell Awards and TAMEST Protégé Program in shaping the next generation of scientists and engineers in Texas.

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I spent the majority of my childhood engaged in a variety of activities that included music (trumpet and piano), sports (tennis and basketball) and art (drawing and painting), as well as reading for pleasure (history) and what later became one of my favorite hobbies, photography.

My interest in both liberal arts and engineering led me to enroll in a dual-degree (3–2) undergraduate program. I spent my first three years at Allegheny College, where I majored in chemistry and minored in history, before completing my degree in chemical engineering during my final two years at Washington University in St. Louis.

I received my Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware and was a postdoctoral fellow at New York University’s Molecular Design Institute before joining the University of Houston in 2009.

Tell us a little about your research. 

My research focuses on crystal engineering to address real-world challenges by understanding how crystals nucleate and grow at both microscopic and macroscopic levels and using that knowledge to control their properties.

In biomedicine, we study disease-related crystals – such as those linked to kidney stones, malaria and atherosclerosis (heart disease) – and develop ways to suppress or tailor their formation, including controlling pharmaceutical crystal forms. In catalysis, my group designs advanced zeolites with improved efficiency, reduced diffusion limits and lower environmental impact, including applications in CO₂ capture.

Across both areas, we explore nonclassical crystallization pathways and use advanced tools, such as in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), to uncover how materials form, enabling precise control over their synthesis and performance. An overarching goal of this work is to translate fundamental insights into practical solutions. By linking crystal growth mechanisms to real-world applications, we aim to develop new materials and processes that improve human health, enhance industrial efficiency and support more sustainable technologies.

What inspired you to first pursue chemical engineering and materials synthesis?

My interest in STEM began during my 10th grade chemistry class. I had an outstanding high school teacher who ignited my passion for chemistry. This was later validated during my freshman year as a chemistry major at Allegheny College, where my advisor, Dr. Glen Rodgers, solidified my desire to not only pursue a career in the chemical sciences but to become an academic.

The decision to choose chemical engineering was based on two factors. First, to a lesser extent, it involved the typical cliché that I enjoyed both chemistry and math. The second and most convincing motivation, however, came from my father, who worked in the chemical industry and encouraged me to pursue engineering based on the breadth of career opportunities he witnessed among colleagues at his company with chemical engineering backgrounds.

In retrospect, the decision was a perfect fit since I enjoy working at the boundary between fundamental and applied research. The chemistry side of me enjoys investigating mechanistic aspects of materials synthesis at a molecular level, while the engineering side thrives on the opportunity to leverage this knowledge to develop something tangible that impacts society.

With my research group, we have been trying to accomplish these goals through the design of therapeutics for human diseases as well as the development of advanced catalysts to address critical challenges facing the chemicals and energy industries.

What did receiving the 2020 O’Donnell Award in Engineering mean to you personally and professionally?

It is difficult to put into words how humbling it was to receive the 2020 O’Donnell Award in Engineering. When you attend a TAMEST conference and see the high level of talent being recognized each year, it is surreal when you receive the official notification that you will be joining the prestigious list of awardees – and even more so when you experience the banquet with the many generous accolades that include your own tribute video.

On a personal level, it is a tremendous honor that, in many respects, validates the hard work and effort that have gone into establishing a research program. On a professional level, this award reflects the collective effort of my talented students and postdocs, as well as numerous collaborators who have made seminal contributions to the body of work recognized by the O’Donnell Awards selection committee. I am sincerely appreciative of this honor and all of the effort by TAMEST to make this a truly exceptional experience.

As the O’Donnell Awards mark their 20th anniversary, what do you think their long-term impact has been on innovation in Texas?

There are few organizations that recognize the achievements of early and mid-career scientists to the extent that TAMEST does. The O’Donnell Awards are unique in their recognition of scientific research and innovation by rising stars in Texas.

With many significant challenges facing society in the future, it is critical to place a spotlight on the impact of scientific advancements with the goal of recognizing academic and industrial practitioners who achieve the “highest standards of exemplary professional performance, creativity and resourcefulness.”

Although this award is focused on Texas, it succeeds in generating broader awareness that has likely played a role in many O’Donnell Awards recipients being elected to National Academies. It would be wonderful if more organizations emulated the vision of Edith and Peter O’Donnell to honor excellence in scientific advancement and STEM education.

What makes you passionate about your work?

My passion for science is motivated by the discovery of the unknown and the hope that these discoveries not only generate new fundamental insights but can, in some way, contribute to society or at least provide a stepping stone for future advancements that build upon this knowledge.

My passion for being an educator stems from the fulfillment I receive from mentoring students. While faculty often refer to freedom of research as a key benefit of academia, which I believe is true, I am more driven by the freedom to collaborate with others at universities, national laboratories and industries worldwide to build coalitions that address grand challenges far too complex for a single research group.

The combination of pursuing scientific innovation and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers achieves a long-term goal that is best summed up by one of my favorite literary characters, John Keating, in the movie Dead Poets Society: “the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” This is what motivates me each day.

You’ve also participated in TAMEST’s Protégé Program. What was that experience like? 

I had a very positive experience with the protégé program. For me, as well as many other early-career professionals, this program was my first exposure to TAMEST. It provides an excellent mechanism for introducing academics and industrial practitioners to the organization, including its annual conference, and for facilitating networking with other professionals in the state of Texas.

One of my favorite aspects of the protégé program is the breakfast with TAMEST members. This event is a wonderful opportunity to meet with and receive career advice from National Academy members. The protégé program made it easier to engage in discussions with other conference attendees, which could stimulate future research collaborations.

In what ways has TAMEST helped amplify your work or connect you with other leaders in the state?

TAMEST has been instrumental in amplifying the work carried out in my research program. The O’Donnell Award, in particular, helped elevate our activities by creating broader awareness among an audience that otherwise would not have been familiar with our research publications. In many ways, this award is a well-respected metric for acknowledging scientific impact. It is a notable standout in my biosketch that is recited before almost every one of my invited seminars or presentations.

It lends additional credibility to the work coming out of my laboratory, which creates opportunities to connect with other leaders in Texas, and also generates new avenues for establishing research collaborations with institutions and companies both outside and within the state.

What emerging areas of research in Texas excite you most for the future? 

Texas has strategically positioned itself as one of the premier destinations for research in the country. Few states have the equivalent of TAMEST, which plays a significant role in promoting research. This includes the recent establishment of the Hill Prizes, which accelerate high-risk, high-reward research aimed at addressing real-world problems.

The state also has many other organizations that provide research grants, including The Welch Foundation, which has long supported fundamental scientific research and recently expanded its portfolio to include a broad range of funding opportunities. The state provides research support for programs in cancer (CPRIT) and, more recently, dementia (DPRIT), that also serve as valuable recruiting mechanisms by providing matching funds for new faculty.

A related matching grant program is GURI, which helps recruit world-renowned faculty researchers in the national academies and other honorific organizations to Texas, thereby expanding the list of TAMEST members. When you couple these research funding opportunities with the large (and expanding) number of industries in Texas, there is tremendous potential in the future to address emerging areas that are critical to the evolving medical, energy and environmental landscapes.

In the Welch Catalyst Center that I am leading at the University of Houston, one of our goals is the establishment of a consortium with pharmaceutical companies to increase their footprint in the state. Another emerging area that is of interest for my research group is the development of new routes for producing chemicals and fuels from non-petroleum feedstocks, which is both a major challenge and opportunity for researchers in the state of Texas to take the lead nationally.

Why do you live and work in Texas?

When I started applying for an academic position, I originally limited my search to the Northeast to be closer to family; however, the 2008 financial crisis played a fortuitous role in expanding my map to include Texas as a potential destination. The combination of industry and world-class hospitals in Texas – particularly Houston – was highly attractive for my research program in catalysis and biomedicine.

I am extremely fortunate for the circumstances that led to being hired by the University of Houston, which, along with the benefits of being in the Greater Houston Area, has been a perfect fit for my research program. After living in Texas for nearly 17 years and being associated with the University of Houston, it is difficult to imagine building my career elsewhere. The opportunities for research and innovation in this state are second to none.