He has professional affiliations with the American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and Materials Research Society. Since joining KU in August 2013, Professor Leonard has led extensive research in the field of electrochemistry. His objective is to provide sustainable improvements and new solutions for fuel and chemical production. Current lab topics include electrocatalysis, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), data harnessing & machine learning, and CO2 expanded electrolytes (CXE). He has taught multiple courses for undergraduates and graduates. In the undergraduate curriculum he has taught Kinetics & Reactor Design and Process Dynamics & Controls. The graduate courses he has taught include Kinetics and Catalysis, Methods of CPE Calculations, and an elective Data Science in Catalysis.
2023 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Lecture Award
John E. Sharp and Winifred E. Sharp Teaching Professorship (2020)
KU Miller Scholar Award (2019)
Raymond Oenbring Teaching Award for Excellence in Chemical Engineering Education (2019 & 2015)
ACS Industrial & Chemistry Engineering Research Influential Researcher (2018)
Army Research Office Young Investigator Award (2017)
KU Miller Distinguished Service Award for Research (2017)
Don Green Faculty Fellowship for Teaching Excellence (2017)
Kansas EPSCoR Education and Diversity Award (2014)