UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Zachary Vinitski has been named the fall 2025 student marshal for the Penn State College of Engineering. Vinitski will receive a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering at the University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.
Student marshals are selected for their exceptional academic achievements and meaningful contributions to the University community.
A graduate of North Penn High School in Lansdale, Vinitski is the son of Lori and Thomas Vinitski. He earned a 4.0 GPA and has been named to the dean’s list for five semesters.
Vinitski conducted undergraduate research in Andrew Zydney’s lab, where he studied protein separations and biophysical phenomena in hollow fiber and tangential flow membranes, working to develop innovative fabrication methods to support advancements in the biopharmaceutical industry.
He has been recognized with multiple honors and scholarships, including the American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship (2022), President Walker Award (2022), Evan Pugh Award for Seniors (2024), James R. Donnalley Jr. Memorial Scholarship in Chemical Engineering (2024 and 2025), Leighton and Lorene Riess Scholarship in Chemical Engineering (2024 and 2025), and the Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Scholarship (2025).
“I had Zach as a student in the first required chemical engineering class back in 2023,” said Zydney, the Bayard D. Kunkle Chair and professor of chemical engineering. “He was one of the top students in the class, so I was delighted when Zach reached out to express his interest in doing research in my lab. I also had Zach as a student in the senior-level elective that I teach in pharmacokinetics, drug delivery and artificial organs. Zach was a true pleasure to have in class and was able to add unique insights from his work as an emergency medical technician to our discussions of a variety of medical technologies.”
Outside of the classroom, Vinitski is deeply involved in the campus community. In addition to working as an emergency medical technician, he currently serves as president of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has held leadership roles with THON and the Biomedical Engineering Society. He also is a member of Omega Chi Epsilon, Mortar Board, Art of Nursing, and the Society for Industrial Biotechnology.
His internship experiences include roles at Merck & Co. Inc., Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he contributed to research and development in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and process innovation.
“Upon finding out I was selected as student marshal during class, I became very emotional and started to cry,” Vinitski said. “It is an amazing honor to be selected for this opportunity and fills me with a huge sense of accomplishment. I have spent much of my time at Penn State attempting to not only grow my knowledge but also share it with and mentor other students. I am extremely grateful to be recognized.”
Vinitski shared that the most important part of his Penn State experience has been the creation of his “Penn State family,” made up of friends, alumni and faculty who have supported him throughout his academic journey.
“This family helped me discover my inner strength and reminded me that I was not alone,” he said. “Through these connections, I was able to find support, balance academics with personal growth, and discover new opportunities that made this honor possible.”
After graduation, Vinitski will join Merck & Co. Inc. as a vaccine drug substance commercialization associate scientist, while continuing to serve as a part-time emergency medical technician.