The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) publishes annual and quarterly reports recognizing the school’s major accomplishments. You can review the reports, summaries, and notable milestones below.
Please note that the reports from 2011 to 2017 refer to PME by its former name, the Institute for Molecular Engineering (IME).
The 2022-23 annual report (PDF) showcases the progress of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) over the previous academic year. The report highlights major accomplishments, including the creation of several new research centers and initiatives, a significant increase in faculty funding, a growing student body, and plans for the creation of a new engineering and science building.
Milestones:
- 300% increase in dollars granted since 2018
- 280+ patents held by faculty members
- $1.47M average per faculty in annual grant expenditures
- 27 Argonne scientists working with PME faculty and students
- 264 graduate students and more than 100 molecular engineering majors
The 10-year anniversary report (PDF) showcases the progress of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) from 2011-21. The report focuses on how Pritzker Molecular Engineering has achieved, and in several respects surpassed, the original plan for the establishment of the Institute for Molecular Engineering.
Milestones
- 44 PME faculty
- 11 incorporated startups and 3 additional startups in progress
- 42% average compound growth of grant dollars 2017-2021
- 220 patents held by faculty members
- 30 industrial partners sponsoring research
- >100 molecular engineering majors
The 2017 3Q report (PDF) showcases a turning point in our capacity to fulfill IME’s ambitious educational, scientific, and technological mission. During this quarter, we reconfigured our administrative team to better suit our maturing structure and elevated our faculty leaders to deputy directors in their areas of responsibility. We also continued to grow our leadership and influence in the field of molecular engineering, with several IME faculty members called to testify before congress in their areas of scientific expertise.
Milestones
- 21 IME faculty
- 100 PhD students
- IME and Harvard launch nation’s first NSF-sponsored university-industry quantum graduate research program
- IME students among 15 who present “Science Cafés” at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry
- STAGE puts on first public performance: “The Art of Questionable Provenance”
The 2016 annual report (PDF) highlights IME’s impact across local, state, national, and global levels. In 2016, IME succeeded in strengthening the Water Research Initiative (WRI). With a newly appointed WRI director, Crown Family Professor James Skinner, at the helm, the WRI broadened its research scope to support clean water as a global human right.
Milestones
- 15 IME faculty
- 92 PhD students
- 184 undergraduates enrolled in IME courses
- 48% of total grant funding from non-federal sources
- 13 invention disclosures filed in preparation for patent filing
The 2015 annual report (PDF) emphasizes the rapid growth and development of IME over the year, with our vision clearly beginning to take shape. In 2015, we launched the molecular engineering undergraduate major, the first engineering degree offered to undergraduate students at the University of Chicago.
Milestones
- 14 IME faculty
- 72 PhD students
- 100,000 square feet of laboratory and office space
- 36 new grant awards
- 125+ new publications
- 1 new degree offering (BS in molecular engineering)
The 2014 annual report (PDF) showcases IME’s impressive progress on many fronts. We spurred spectacular growth in people and infrastructure and introduced new educational programs, including course offerings in molecular engineering, an undergraduate minor in molecular engineering, and the IME First Thursday Distinguished Colloquium.
Milestones
- 2 new endowed chairs for professors in tissue engineering and water research
- 2 new senior faculty members and our first assistant professor
- Matriculation of the first class of PhD students
- $10 million in new research funding
- 12 new IME fellows
- 64 new publications
- Award of the first PhD in molecular engineering
The 2013 annual report (PDF) underscores many advances made by IME during the year. The report celebrates our progress and articulates our vision to transform research and education, solve major technological problems of global significance, and inspire creative applications of molecular-level science.
Milestones
- 4 new senior faculty members
- 20 new IME fellows
- 1 new PhD program in molecular engineering
- 1 new undergraduate minor in molecular engineering
- 1 new Water Research Initiative, a partnership among the University of Chicago, Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and Argonne National Laboratory
- 1 new office in the Chicago Innovation Exchange
- 1 new research facility in the Energy Sciences Building at Argonne National Laboratory
IME’s inaugural annual report (PDF) covers the period between July 2011 and December 2012. The report clarifies the vision for the institute from the perspective of both the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory leadership. It outlines our progress in building a world-class faculty, developing cutting-edge research programs, establishing important partnerships, and planning state-of-the-art facilities.
Milestones
- 4 engineering faculty members
- 12 publications with IME affiliations
- 21 potential corporate partnerships
- 23 postdoctoral researchers
- 25 graduate student researchers
- 10 undergraduate student researchers