Engineering Professor Honored for Scholarly Successes


Cory Berkland

University of Kansas School of Engineering Associate Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Cory Berkland is one of four KU faculty members to earn a 2012 University Scholarly Achievement Award. 

The award, given out annually to mid-career KU faculty members, recognizes contributions that advance the field of scholarship, exhibit novelty and originality, promote scholarly and research activity at KU, and enhance the University’s national and international reputation.

“I was very surprised to receive this award,” said Berkland, who has a shared appointment in pharmaceutical chemistry. “I appreciate the Chancellor’s investment in recognizing KU faculty as an incentive for scholarly output, which includes intellectual property and commercial activities.”

Berkland’s cutting-edge research focuses on two key areas.  Developing light aerosols for drug delivery and creating flexible plastic materials for tissue regeneration.  The aerosols are much more efficient at delivering inhaled medicine when compared to current inhalers and dramatically improve the safety of inhaled steroids for kids.  In collaboration with Associate Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Michael Detamore, Berkland’s work on tissue regeneration is breaking new ground in joint replacement, creating biomaterials that integrate naturally with the body.

Berkland and the other winners will be officially recognized at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, in the Commons at Spooner Hall on the Lawrence Campus.  A reception will follow the program.