Steven R. Little (born 1977) is an American chemical engineer and pharmaceutical scientist. He currently holds the title of department chair, distinguished professor, and the William Kepler Whiteford Endowed Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. He also holds secondary appointments in bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, immunology, ophthalmology and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
- BS in chemical engineering from Youngstown State University
- PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Education & Training
Practice Interests
Pharmaceutics
Research Interests
Drug Formulations and Delivery
Honors / Awards
Elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2022
Inducted into the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), 2022
For demonstrating a highly prolific spirit of innovation in creating and facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on the quality of life, economic development, and welfare of society. Appointed to the Special Faculty Rank of “Distinguished Professor” by the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, 2021
Denotes extraordinary, internationally recognized scholarly attainment in the field Distinguished Service Award, Controlled Release Society, 2021
Reappointed as the William Kepler Whiteford Endowed Professor, 2020
Elected as a Fellow of the Controlled Release Society (CRS), 2020
For distinguished leadership in the field through impactful contributions in fundamental or applied research, technology, products and/or education.
Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award of the University of Pittsburgh, 2019
The University of Pittsburgh’s Highest Honor for Public Service American Chemical Society “Pittsburgh Award”, 2018
In recognition of outstanding leadership in chemical affairs in the local and larger professional community, increasing chemical knowledge, promoting the chemical industry, and benefitting humanity.
Controlled Release Society Young Investigator Award, 2018 Given to one individual in the world each year under the age of 40 Pittsburgh Business Times Innovation Award,
2017 Named one of 15 inaugural award winners in 2017 for founding Qrono Inc J Douglas Faires Memorial Colloquium Speaker Award of Youngstown State University, 2017
Named the 11th Distinguished Lecturer in Honor and Memory of One of YSU’s Most Distinguished and Beloved Faculty Members, J
Douglas Faires Elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), 2016
“Top 2% of the Most Accomplished Leaders in the Field of Medical and Biological Engineering” Elected as a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), 2015
Citation: “For exceptional contributions to the design and development of controlled release and biomimetic materials, Steven R. Little is recognized by being named a BMES Fellow” Named William Kepler Whiteford Endowed Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering,
2015
Curtis W. McGraw Research Award of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), 2015 Given to 1 individual in the United States each year representing all engineering disciplines The only individual in University of Pittsburgh history to receive this award.
The Carnegie Science Award (Advanced Materials), 2015
Selected one of the Pittsburgh Business Times’ Fast Trackers (University Leaders), 2015
Named as one of the Inaugural Fellows of the University Honors College, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
One of Only 3 Inaugural Fellows Selected in the School of Engineering including Prof George Stetton and Prof Harvey Borovetz Selected as one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 under 40”, 2014
Phase II Coulter Translational Research Award, 2014
Named One of Five Pittsburgh “Disruptors” Who are “Shaking Up the Status Quo and Reshaping Our World” by Pop City Pittsburgh, 2014
University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
Innovative Ophthalmic Research Award - Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), 2014
Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award of the University of Pittsburgh, 2013
The University of Pittsburgh’s Highest Honor for Teaching the Only Individual in University History to Win all three Chancellor’s Awards (Research in 2012 and Public Service in 2019).
The Carnegie Science Award (University Educator), 2013
Pitt Innovator Award, 2012 Best Mentor of an Underrepresented Student, 2012
Pitt EXCEL Summer Undergraduate Research Program Named a “Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar”, 2012
One of only 4 engineers selected nationally in 2012 Highlighted In:
Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2012), 51(31): 7631
Named CNG Faculty Fellow, School of Engineering, 2012
Invited Participant, National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2012 Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award of the University of Pittsburgh, 2012
The University of Pittsburgh’s Highest Honor for Research The only individual in University History to Win all three Chancellor’s Awards (Teaching in 2013 and Public Service in 2019).
Society for Biomaterials Young Investigator Award, 2012 One individual selected in the world each year Coulter Translational Research (Early Career) Award, 2011
Distinguished Alumni Award, Youngstown State University, 2010
Board of Visitors Award, Swanson School of Engineering, 2009
“Most Outstanding Faculty Member in the School of Engineering” Named Bicentennial Alumni Faculty Fellow, School of Engineering, 2009
Beckman Young Investigator Award, 2008 Traditionally, each University can only nominate one professor in the Sciences and
Engineering. Institute for Clinical Research Education Award, for Most Outstanding Grant Proposal in Graduating Class, 2008
AHA Career Development Award, 2007
Distinguished Faculty Fellowship, School of Engineering, 2007
NIH K-Award, 2007
The NIH covers 75% of the salary of its K-Awardees for 4 years AAAS Excellence in Research Award, 2005
Awarded for outstanding PhD thesis nationally National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow, 2000 – 2003
Tau Beta Pi Graduate Fellow, 2000
Phi Kappa Phi Mavrigian-Grim Graduate Fellow, 2000
AIChE Professional Promise Award, 1999
Most outstanding senior Eugene D. Scudder Physical Chemistry Award, 1999
ACS Organic Chemistry Award, 1999
Inducted into the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), 2022
For demonstrating a highly prolific spirit of innovation in creating and facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on the quality of life, economic development, and welfare of society. Appointed to the Special Faculty Rank of “Distinguished Professor” by the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, 2021
Denotes extraordinary, internationally recognized scholarly attainment in the field Distinguished Service Award, Controlled Release Society, 2021
Reappointed as the William Kepler Whiteford Endowed Professor, 2020
Elected as a Fellow of the Controlled Release Society (CRS), 2020
For distinguished leadership in the field through impactful contributions in fundamental or applied research, technology, products and/or education.
Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award of the University of Pittsburgh, 2019
The University of Pittsburgh’s Highest Honor for Public Service American Chemical Society “Pittsburgh Award”, 2018
In recognition of outstanding leadership in chemical affairs in the local and larger professional community, increasing chemical knowledge, promoting the chemical industry, and benefitting humanity.
Controlled Release Society Young Investigator Award, 2018 Given to one individual in the world each year under the age of 40 Pittsburgh Business Times Innovation Award,
2017 Named one of 15 inaugural award winners in 2017 for founding Qrono Inc J Douglas Faires Memorial Colloquium Speaker Award of Youngstown State University, 2017
Named the 11th Distinguished Lecturer in Honor and Memory of One of YSU’s Most Distinguished and Beloved Faculty Members, J
Douglas Faires Elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), 2016
“Top 2% of the Most Accomplished Leaders in the Field of Medical and Biological Engineering” Elected as a Fellow of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), 2015
Citation: “For exceptional contributions to the design and development of controlled release and biomimetic materials, Steven R. Little is recognized by being named a BMES Fellow” Named William Kepler Whiteford Endowed Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering,
2015
Curtis W. McGraw Research Award of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), 2015 Given to 1 individual in the United States each year representing all engineering disciplines The only individual in University of Pittsburgh history to receive this award.
The Carnegie Science Award (Advanced Materials), 2015
Selected one of the Pittsburgh Business Times’ Fast Trackers (University Leaders), 2015
Named as one of the Inaugural Fellows of the University Honors College, University of Pittsburgh, 2015
One of Only 3 Inaugural Fellows Selected in the School of Engineering including Prof George Stetton and Prof Harvey Borovetz Selected as one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 under 40”, 2014
Phase II Coulter Translational Research Award, 2014
Named One of Five Pittsburgh “Disruptors” Who are “Shaking Up the Status Quo and Reshaping Our World” by Pop City Pittsburgh, 2014
University of Pittsburgh Institute for Clinical Research Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
Innovative Ophthalmic Research Award - Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), 2014
Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award of the University of Pittsburgh, 2013
The University of Pittsburgh’s Highest Honor for Teaching the Only Individual in University History to Win all three Chancellor’s Awards (Research in 2012 and Public Service in 2019).
The Carnegie Science Award (University Educator), 2013
Pitt Innovator Award, 2012 Best Mentor of an Underrepresented Student, 2012
Pitt EXCEL Summer Undergraduate Research Program Named a “Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar”, 2012
One of only 4 engineers selected nationally in 2012 Highlighted In:
Angewandte Chemie International Edition (2012), 51(31): 7631
Named CNG Faculty Fellow, School of Engineering, 2012
Invited Participant, National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2012 Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award of the University of Pittsburgh, 2012
The University of Pittsburgh’s Highest Honor for Research The only individual in University History to Win all three Chancellor’s Awards (Teaching in 2013 and Public Service in 2019).
Society for Biomaterials Young Investigator Award, 2012 One individual selected in the world each year Coulter Translational Research (Early Career) Award, 2011
Distinguished Alumni Award, Youngstown State University, 2010
Board of Visitors Award, Swanson School of Engineering, 2009
“Most Outstanding Faculty Member in the School of Engineering” Named Bicentennial Alumni Faculty Fellow, School of Engineering, 2009
Beckman Young Investigator Award, 2008 Traditionally, each University can only nominate one professor in the Sciences and
Engineering. Institute for Clinical Research Education Award, for Most Outstanding Grant Proposal in Graduating Class, 2008
AHA Career Development Award, 2007
Distinguished Faculty Fellowship, School of Engineering, 2007
NIH K-Award, 2007
The NIH covers 75% of the salary of its K-Awardees for 4 years AAAS Excellence in Research Award, 2005
Awarded for outstanding PhD thesis nationally National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow, 2000 – 2003
Tau Beta Pi Graduate Fellow, 2000
Phi Kappa Phi Mavrigian-Grim Graduate Fellow, 2000
AIChE Professional Promise Award, 1999
Most outstanding senior Eugene D. Scudder Physical Chemistry Award, 1999
ACS Organic Chemistry Award, 1999
Recent Publications
