2026 Ralph Peck Lecture

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering presents its annual Ralph Peck Lecture featuring guest speaker Victor M. Zavala, the Baldovin-DaPra Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Zavala will present “From Molecules to Supply Chains: Transforming Data to Decisions Using Geometry, Optimizations, and Machine Learning” on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 3:15–4:30 p.m. in room 131 (auditorium) of Perlstein Hall. A livestream of the lecture will also take place on the day of the event on YouTube.

Agenda

3:20 p.m.     Welcome and Introduction

                              Georgia Papavasiliou

                              Professor and Chair, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

                              Illinois Tech

3:25 p.m.     Honoring the 2025 Charles W. Pierce Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumnus Award Recipients

3:30 p.m.     Peck Lecture

                              Baldovin-DaPra Professor Victor M. Zavala
                              University of Wisconsin–Madison

4:25 p.m.     Closing Remarks

4:30 p.m.     Reception

Abstract

We will discuss how geometry, optimization, and machine learning are key technologies that are revolutionizing the way that we think about data and the way that we transform data into actionable models and decisions. Specifically, I will explain how complex data (e.g., text, molecules, time series, images/video, supply chain flows) can be represented as geometrical objects and how this facilitates interpretation and extraction of useful information from data. We will also discuss how extracted information can be mapped into decisions using optimization and machine learning models. I will illustrate how to use these powerful math tools in innovative ways for analyzing complex datasets arising in molecular dynamics simulation, protein design, microscopy, chemical processes, and supply chains. Specifically, I will show that these tools can help link the microstructure of soft gels to their rheological properties, can help analyze complex responses of liquid crystals from video data, and can help detect anomalies and optimize large-scale systems.

Biography

Victor M. Zavala is the Baldovin-DaPra Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also affiliated with the Mathematics and Computer Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory. Zavala holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Universidad Iberoamericana and a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University, both in chemical engineering. He is an associate editor for Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research and is on the editorial board of the Mathematical Programming Computation and Computers & Chemical Engineering. He was a recipient of National Science Foundation and United States Department of Energy early career awards and of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. His research interests include data science, control, and optimization and their applications to chemical, energy, and environmental systems.

Previous Peck Lectures

• Richard C. Alkire, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• John L. Anderson, Illinois Tech

• Robert F. Anderson, UOP LLC

• Kristi Anseth, University of Colorado Boulder

• Hamid Arastoopour, Illinois Tech

• Bernard S. Baker, Energy Research Corporation

• Richard G. Carlson, Dow Chemical Company

• Ali Cinar, Illinois Tech

• Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, University of California, Davis

• Reg Davies, DuPont Central Research and Development

• Liang-Shih Fan, Ohio State University

• Richard Flagan, Caltech

• Marianthi Ierapetritou, Rutgers University

• Klavs F. Jensen, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Henry T. Kohlbrand, Dow Chemical Company

• Robert Langer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Ronald G. Larson, University of Michigan

• Ann Lee, Prime Medicine, Inc.

• Henry R. Linden, Illinois Tech

• Regina M. Murphy, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• Charles O’Melia, Johns Hopkins University

• Babatunde A. Ogunnaike, University of Delaware

• James Y. Oldshue, Lightnin’ Corporation

• W. Harmon Ray, University of Wisconsin-Madison

• G.V. Rexlaitis, Purdue University

• M.C. Roco, National Science Foundation

• John P. Sachs, Great Lakes Carbon Corporation

• Gregory Stephanopoulos, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Jefferson W. Tester, Cornell University

• Matthew Tirrell, University of Chicago

• Marvin Warshay, NASA Lewis Research Center

• Darsh T. Wasan, Illinois Tech

• Thomas A. Weil, Amoco Chemical Company

• Robert M. Wellek, National Science Foundation

• Ahmed Zewail, California Institute of Technology

Ralph Peck

Ralph Peck was a dynamic teacher and researcher whose genuine concern for students made him a legendary figure at Illinois Tech and in the field of chemical engineering. After receiving his bachelor and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Minnesota, he introduced his own method of teaching, “the 10-minute quiz,” for which he became famous—or infamous.

Ted F. Meinhold (ChE ’43) of Wauconda, Illinois, writes, "My favorite professors were Harry McCormak and Ralph Peck, both in the chemical engineering department. Tough task masters, but splendid tutors!”

In 1939, Peck came to Armour Institute of Technology (an Illinois Tech predecessor) as an instructor in chemical engineering and quickly rose through the faculty ranks. In 1953, he became chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Illinois Tech and held that post until 1967. He traveled extensively, introducing his teaching methods and philosophy in India, Israel, Brazil, Algeria, Korea, and Japan. He also supervised 100 master’s students and 33 Ph.D. degree candidates. Four patents were issued in his name.

He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Illinois Tech in 1973, as well as the Western Electric Fund Award for Teaching Excellence for 1975–76 from the American Society for Engineering Education.  He was a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and a member of the American Chemical Society and the ASEE. He died in Chicago in 1982.

Contact Us

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

10 West 33rd Street

Perlstein Hall, Suite 127

Chicago, IL 60616-3793

Phone: 312.567.3040

Fax: 312.567.8874

Email: chbe@illinoistech.edu

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https://www.iit.edu/chbe

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