Background
Hightower, Joe Walter was born on September 14, 1936 in Morrilton, Arkansas, United States. Son of Walter Eugene and Verda Mae (Poindexter) Hightower.
consultant chemical engineering educator
Hightower, Joe Walter was born on September 14, 1936 in Morrilton, Arkansas, United States. Son of Walter Eugene and Verda Mae (Poindexter) Hightower.
Bachelor of Science, Harding College, Searcy, Arkansas, 1959; Master of Science, Johns Hopkins University, 1961; Doctor of Philisophy, Johns Hopkins University, 1963.
Postdoctoral fellow, Queens U., Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1963-1964;
research associate, Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, 1964-1967;
associate professor chemical engineering, Rice U., Houston, 1967-1970;
professor, Rice U., since 1970;
director Office Sponsored Research, Rice U., 1988-1990;
chair chemical engineering department, 1995-1998. Consultant Exxon Research & Engineering Company, Linden, New Jersey, 1970-1980. Science advisory board Haldor Topsoe A-S, Copenhagan, 1976-1989.
Advisory board Catalytica Associations, Stanford, California, 1975-1980. Chairman of the board of trustees Gordon Research Conference, 1980-1981. Chairman advisory board Petroleum Research Fund, 1980-1990.
Chairman 5 committees National Research Council, 1972-1978. Teacher, organizer courses in catalysis.
Co-founder, president Human Resources Development Foundation, Houston, since 1968. Member American Chemical Society (chairman petroleum chemistry division 1974-1975, National award in petroleum chemistry 1973, award Southeastern Texas section 1976, general chair Southwest Regional meeting 1996), Am Institute Chemical Engineering.
Married Ann Grekel, May 11, 1980.