The endowed professorship is named after Engineering alumna Sharon Tinker (BSE 1980 chemical engineering) of Houston, TX, process safety engineer in the ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company in Baytown, Texas

After graduation from the University of Iowa, she joined the Exxon Chemical Company and worked in technical and management positions in chemical plants and refineries in Texas, California, Louisiana, and Singapore.

Ms. Tinker has been recognized for her contributions with a Young Engineer of the Year Award from the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, an ExxonMobil Chemical Responsible Care Award, and an ExxonMobil Chemical Global Manufacturing Excellence Award.  In the past she has served on the United Way of the Baytown Area Board of Directors in Baytown, Texas, the Torrance Education Foundation Board of Directors in Torrance, California, and the University of Iowa College of Engineering Chemical and Biochemical Department Advisory Board.

Ms. Tinker is currently a member of the Safety and Chemical Engineering Education (SACHE) Committee of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the UI College of Engineering Campaign Task Force.  She continues to be a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).