Dr. Elana Chapman Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

Phi Sigma Rho National Sorority Awards Dr. Elana Chapman with Lifetime Achievement Award.

December 21, 2020 - For Immediate Release

Dr. Elana Chapman (Dayton-Gamma Chapter) was announced as the recipient of Phi Sigma Rho’s Lifetime Achievement Award during Phi Sigma Rho’s virtual Leadership Conference on August 16, 2020. The Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2008 to recognize an alumnae or honorary member whose achievements in her field of endeavor has brought honor and prestige to the name of Phi Sigma Rho National Sorority. Dr. Chapman is the 3rd recipient of the award in the 36 year history of the organization.

Dr. Chapman is a recognized expert in the area of Internal Combustion Engines, Alternative Fuels, and Advanced Propulsion Systems. Currently a Senior Fuels/Biofuels Engineer at General Motors (GM), she has spent over 13 years supporting the Advanced Engineering and Production Combustion groups with test fuels and projects related to fuels and engine performance to meet future vehicle emissions and performance standards. Elana led the GM team that was awarded a 2020 Department of Energy Grant for improved efficiency of internal combustion engines, titled “Bio-fuel effects and seasonal fuel property variations related to abnormal combustion occurrences observed in the field”. She earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton and a MS in Fuel Science, MS in Mechanical Engineering, PhD in Fuel Science, and an Advanced Energy Storage Technologies certificate from Penn State University.

Dr. Chapman serves as GM's executive committee member on the Coordinating Research Council - Advanced Vehicle Fuels and Lubricants Committee and participates in several other industry consortiums on GM's behalf. She also has guest lectured at schools such as the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Starting this fall, she will serve as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin's Engineering Professional Development department.

As a long-time member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Dr. Chapman received the 2018 Forest R. McFarland award, which recognizes individuals for their sustained outstanding contributions toward the work of the SAE Engineering Events. She is the author of over 20 SAE technical papers and journal articles, and is a frequent presenter at SAE events. Elana has been heavily involved in supporting her alma maters by serving as a member of the University of Dayton Alumni-Student Mentor Program, the GM-Penn State recruiting team, and Penn State's Dean of Engineering Diversity Advisory Board.

Additionally, Dr. Chapman has a long history of service to Phi Sigma Rho. Throughout her three decades with the organization, she has been a dedicated volunteer, educator, and mentor to her fellow sisters. Dr. Chapman is a charter member of the Dayton - Gamma chapter and the founder of the Phi Sigma Rho Foundation.

Phi Sigma Rho’s National Board President Kellan Ponikiewicz lauded Dr. Chapman with the following: “Elana is an inspiration to all of us and a living example of what it means to be a Phi Rho. Elana has been a champion of women in engineering both in her career and in the causes and organizations that she supports. I wish her congratulations on a much-deserved award.”

Dr. Chapman is the third winner of the award. The award had previously been given to Dr. Beth Holloway (2008, Purdue - Alpha Chapter) and Kathleen Lyall (2014, Dayton - Gamma Chapter).

Additional press inquiries can be directed to Gabrielle Salazar at executivedirector@phisigmarho.org.

About Phi Sigma Rho National Sorority:

Phi Sigma Rho was established in 1984 at Purdue University as a social sorority for women in engineering and engineering technology. Phi Sigma Rho serves our sisters and the community by promoting high standards of personal integrity, respect, and character, lifelong bonds of sisterhood, and academic and professional excellence all through shared experiences, common bonds, and recognition of service and achievement. Phi Sigma Rho has over 40 chapters at universities across the country and has over 10,000 members worldwide. For more information, visit www.phisigmarho.org.