Luke Roling’s computational research work in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) has received the support of the Jack R. and Carol A. Johnson Faculty Fellowship in Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Roling, an assistant professor, along with his research group, applies computational chemistry toolkits to problems in catalysis and surface science. Active research projects include designing materials for electrochemical transformations of biomass to value-added chemicals, understanding and leveraging the roles of atomic-scale structure in developing selective and stable heterogeneous catalysts, and developing strategies for controlling the growth of semiconductor materials for next-generation optical devices.

He will carry the title of Jack R. and Carol A. Johnson Faculty Fellow in Chemical and Biological Engineering through June 2026.

Namesakes of the fellowship, Jack (B.S., Computer Engineering, 1981) and the late Carol (B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1980) Johnson, have played a large role in support of CBE and other university interests for many years. They met in an undergraduate class at Iowa State and both enjoyed productive careers in engineering disciplines. Carol served on the CBE Advisory Council, helping to steer department policies and advance department goals. Read more about the Johnsons and their giving history.

“The fellowship support will expand my group’s research portfolio by providing flexibility to explore new directions as well as facilitating more collaborative opportunities,” says Roling. He graduated with a B.S. in chemical engineering and a B.S. in mathematics from Iowa State in 2011 and earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016. He joined the CBE faculty in 2018.