Voices of the Provost Solutions Fellows

Nicolas Alvarez, PhD

Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering 
College of Engineering

Nicolas’ research focuses on transport, processing, and fluid mechanics in and of polymeric materials, complex fluids and polymer composites. His research focuses on real-world industrial and biomedical problems. Recent projects include research in extensional rheology and its importance in characterizing processing flows, such as gel spinning and spray drying, as well as the development of spray/foam delivery systems for drug delivery.

If there’s one word to describe your experience as a Solutions Fellow, what would it be?

Informative.

What did you enjoy the most about being a Solutions Fellow and why?

What I liked the most is discussing with my colleagues across college boundaries the various ways the University can find a path forward in today’s changing environment for higher education and develop a niche focused on industry collaboration.

What was an unexpected benefit as a Solutions Fellow?

The number of industry contacts I made was unexpected and has really expanded the research I am pursuing.

How likely are you to recommend becoming a Solutions Fellow to a colleague and what is the main reason?

I don’t think it’s for everybody, but for those of my colleagues who are interested in expanding their research horizons with industry, it’s an opportunity they should consider.

What do you believe are the top benefits to working with industry partners?

The big benefit is for the students. They get to see directly into industry life and what that type of research looks like. More importantly, academics sometimes fall into the trap of inventing problems that have no contact with the real world. What you gain from directly working with industry is an appreciation for real engineering problems.

How does or did your department or college benefit from engaging with partners?

My department has benefited tremendously. We have several long-term grants from companies that have funded graduate students and post doc students to conduct industrially relevant research. I have also had students go on to do co-ops with companies, and that has been fruitful for them and their careers.

How did your students benefit from the courses or research with partners?

They have significantly benefited from having access to great discussions, for example, the presenting of data and analytical results in a way that informs the partner towards viable solutions. It is very helpful for a student to have the experience of taking a relevant industry problem, learning to ask the right questions, finding the right solutions, and then communicating that solution to the partner. That is, in a nutshell, the art of engineering.

Why would you encourage other faculty to work with external partners?

When you work with industry partners, you have access to real world problems that can have an immediate impact on society and that is invaluable.