Professor Kate S. Ziemer
Professor of Chemical Engineering and Acting Senior Vice Provost Undergraduate Education & Experiential Learning at Northeastern University
Professor Ziemer spent seven years in industry as a chemical engineer with DuPont prior to earning her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from West Virginia University in 2001.
She has 70 refereed publications and over 110 presentations on both educational and research topics.
In addition to maintaining an active research program and teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, Kate has served her department and college as Undergraduate Program Chair, ABET Coordinator, Graduate Program Chair, and, most recently, as Vice-Chair of the Chemical Engineering Department.
Dr. Ziemer got interested in STEM after her high school chemistry teacher encouraged her to pursue it. After graduating from undergrad, Dr. Ziemer did not think she would ever get into academia, but she says her experience working in industry has allowed her to relate more to her students. She is dedicated in teaching her students, who she says are “the future of the world,” and knowing that motivates her the most as a professor. Professor Zeimer believes that the key to her success is having great persistence and looking towards the future. Her biggest role model is her mom, who always told her she could accomplish her goals, helped her when she fell down, and encouraged success.
“Bloom where you’re planted.”
Professor Ziemer’s favorite piece of advice from her mom.