Mac Eminent Engineer Award

Dr. Robert Bobby Satcher, a retired US Astronaut received the MAC Eminent Engineer Award, at the Annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in Atlanta, November 17, 2014. Dr. Satcher was selected not only for his Technical Achievements for this Award but also for his Humanitarian and Selfless compassion to help others, according to Dr. Thomas Mensah, Founder of the MAC Eminent Engineers Award Forum.
Dr. Satcher has traveled to several foreign countries to volunteer his services as a medical doctor, including underserved places in West Africa like Nigeria, Gabon as well as Venezuela in South America.
He was among three other Chemical Engineers who were recognized for this Award including, Dr. Babatunde Ogunaike, Dean of Engineering at the University of Delaware,, and Dr. Rosemary Wesson Program Director at the National Science Foundation .
Dr. Satcher who holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and MD from Harvard Medical School, flew into space on the Space Shuttle, STS 129 in 2009 as a Mission Specialist and performed over 12 hours of EVA or Space Walk, logging 259 hours in space.
This years’ MAC Eminent Forum was Co-Chaired by Dr. Emmanuel Dada, Visiting Professor, Prairie View A&M University, Dr. Derrick Rollins Iowa State University and Dr. Thomas Mensah, President of Georgia Aerospace Systems., who participated in Forum Presentations with the Honorees.
The MAC Eminent Engineers Forum Award was founded to recognize Minorities with exceptional achievements within The American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Past recipients include, Mr. Otis Shelton, 2014 President of AIChE, Dr. Cato Laurencin Professor at the University of Connecticut, US Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison first African American woman in space, Dr. Thomas Mensah Inventor of Fiber Optics, The Hon. Lisa Jackson Vice President at Apple Corporation, Dr. Soni Oyekan, President Prafis Energy Solutions, Dr. Levi Thompson, Professor at the University of Michigan and others.
Dr. Satcher spoke on “the experience of a Chemical Engineer in Space” and discussed future Missions of NASA to Mars. The Panelists made presentations on Entrepreneurship and strategies for transforming Research innovations into useful products in the commercial market place. The Awards were presented by Mr. Otis Shelton, President of AIChE.


Mr. Otis Shelton AIChE President, Astronaut Dr. Bobby Satcher, June Wispelwey, AIChE Executive Director and Dr. Thomas Mensah.