Dr. Robert Jenkins, professor of mechanical engineering in the UVM CEMS School of Engineering, has been appointed the UVM Flint Professorship of Mathematics, Natural or Technic Science.

The Flint Professorship was established in 1895 by a bequest from Edwin Flint. Jenkins has a long and distinguished scholarly record in the areas of mechanisms of thermal degradation of fuels and organic materials; coal and carbon chemistry and characterization; carbons as molecular sieves; activated carbon preparation, modification and characterization; surface functionality on carbons and coals; and coal conversion chemistry. He has BSc (Hons) and PhD degrees from University of Leeds (England).

Jenkins has served as Dean for the UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS); Interim Dean, College of Engineering, University of Cincinnati; and Chairman, Fuel Science Program, Penn State University. He has published over 130 research and review publications, including six book contributions. His work is seminal and has influenced how others perceive the field as evidenced by the vast number of citations to his work. Jenkins' total publications have been cited over 1,900 times; two papers have been cited over 200 times, two others over 100 times.

A few of Jenkins' many awards include: Elected Fellow of the Institute of Energy (now the Energy Institute; 1988), Outstanding Professor of Chemical Engineering (University of Cincinnati), elected to Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi.

"Over my career, I've had the privilege of working with many students and colleagues on interesting research problems related to energy and materials," says Jenkins. "To be recognized for my research and educational contributions as they apply to engineering and its scientific underpinnings is very special to me."

"Our congratulations go to Dr. Jenkins on this award," says CEMS Dean Domenico Grasso. "Faculty are key to the success of this institution."

The Flint Professorship appointment will be officially presented to Professor Jenkins on November 30, 2007, by the UVM Board of Trustees' Standing Committee.