John G. Ekerdt is the associate dean for research in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin.  His work is supported by the endowment created as the Dick Rothwell Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering.  He holds a Texas professional engineer’s license.Dr. Ekerdt has held several administrative posts within and outside the university, including the Department of Chemical Engineering graduate advisor from 1985-90 and department chair from 1997-2005.  He served as associate director of a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center the university from 1999-2001 and chaired the Chemical Technology Operating Council of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2009.  He has authored more than 285 refereed publications, three books and three book chapters, and six U.S. patents.  He has supervised more than 47 Ph.D. and 8 M.S. students.

His professional awards are many and include the Charles M.A. Stine Award in Materials Science and Engineering of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers  in 2001, the Joe J. King Professional Engineering Achievement Award, The University of Texas  in 2005, and election to Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2006.