Dr. Darrell Velegol

Dr. Darrell Velegol serves as Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, combining cutting-edge research with transformative teaching approaches. After earning his PhD in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon in 1997, he has established himself as a leading expert in colloid science, publishing more than 70 papers focusing on interparticle forces, colloidal assembly, electrokinetic phenomena, and colloidal motors. His innovative approach to education is exemplified through his development of the "Physics of Community" concept, which applies principles from Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Ecology to understand human decision-making patterns. He has authored "Wild Scholars" (2011), presenting his transformative educational philosophy, and shares his CENTER practices with thousands of students globally through his popular Coursera course "Creativity, Innovation, and Change." His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of passion in learning, believing that students pursuing their interests have unlimited potential for achievement. Through his work, he continues to bridge the gap between technical expertise and human development, inspiring students to reach their full potential while advancing the field of chemical engineering