Tonya Peeples has used a holistic approach to balance roles as a professor, researcher and leader in her field of chemical and biochemical engineering.

She works with students, has won awards, serves in advisory roles and performs her own studies.

“I combine a love for scientific and engineering research and a desire to make the world a better place. I combine those interests in how I teach, be creative and have students address what the global, social and environmental reaction from technology is,” she said.

Peeples not only devotes her career to science, but her philosophy as well.

“When I think about the future of our society and the problems we will face, the solutions are in science,” she said.

She looks at the big picture for her field, its direction and the need for collaboration, integration and cooperation.

As the interim director for an ethnic inclusion effort in engineering, Peeples reaches out to people of color and immerses new cultures in the fields of  chemical and biochemical engineering.

She said in order for the U.S. to stay competitive, American students need a new perspective.

“There is a point when thinking about science is no longer cool. It’s hard to encourage young students to get into science. We have an image problem in science — it’s hard, it’s geeky. We need an institutional transformation that inspires American students to envision themselves taking part in   scientific advancement,” she said.

As a teacher, the University of Iowa College of Engineering professor affects the future leaders in her field.

“I want to provide opportunities to make students enable themselves to purse technical careers. I tell students, ‘The way you can have an impact is in how you analyze things. You will be the expert witness making recommendations,’” Peeples said.

— Brian Morelli

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