Former Texas A&M Student Appointed Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech

Dr. Kevin Nixon, a recent graduate of Texas A&M University, has been appointed as an assistant professor at Louisiana Tech University. His role as a graduate teaching fellow at Texas A&M played a crucial part in this career advancement, particularly in his development as an educator in the field of chemical engineering.

During his time at Texas A&M, Nixon had the opportunity to teach a junior-level chemical engineering course alongside a faculty member. Reflecting on this experience, he noted, “Being able to work as a teaching fellow in the chemical engineering department was a wonderful opportunity.” He managed a class of approximately 100 students, which he initially found intimidating. However, the experience has been invaluable.

Nixon stated, “Gaining experience in teaching and developing new lectures on my own was quite insightful.” His responsibilities included designing homework assignments, crafting exam questions, and holding office hours. These tasks not only confirmed his aspiration to pursue a faculty position but also equipped him with the skills necessary to secure one.

Research Focus at Louisiana Tech

At Texas A&M, Nixon’s research focused on synthesizing and characterizing novel ion-conducting polymers for electrochemical applications. He plans to further this work at Louisiana Tech by investigating unique ion-conducting block copolymers specifically for fuel cells. “Part of my current work is motivated by my experience at Texas A&M with ion-conducting block copolymers for lithium-ion batteries for my Ph.D. research,” Nixon explained.

His Ph.D. research involved altering the architecture of polymers from a linear structure to a star shape. In his new role, he aims to leverage this expertise to explore novel ion-conducting star block copolymer chemistries intended for advanced electrochemical energy devices.

A Vision for Future Research

Looking ahead, Nixon expresses a desire to remain in academia and diversify his research portfolio. “That’s one of the cool things about being in academia,” he remarked. He noted that the paths of his advisors and mentors have evolved significantly over time, and he finds the prospect of exploring new research areas particularly exciting.

Nixon’s journey illustrates the importance of mentorship and hands-on experience in shaping the careers of upcoming academics. His trajectory from a graduate teaching fellow to an assistant professor marks a significant step forward, both for him personally and for the academic community at Louisiana Tech University. As he embarks on this new chapter, the impact of his work is expected to resonate within the field of chemical engineering and beyond.