The editors of the Journal of Polymer Science and the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) Division of the ACS are delighted to present the 2017 Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award to Dr. Luis M. Campos.
Now in its sixth year, the Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award honors polymer scientists under the age of 40 to celebrate their significant research innovation and achievement in the field. Winners are recognized at a symposium in association with PMSE at the ACS fall meeting.
Luis currently works as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Columbia University. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2006. He has co-authored over 70 articles and holds 12 patents. He was also the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as the ACS Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award, the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award, and the NSF CAREER Award, and was also named one of C&EN Magazine’s “Talented 12”.
Luis’s research group employs a multi-scale approach to study fundamental properties of polymeric materials, from molecular building blocks and their macromolecular function, to nanostructured assemblies. Some of their recent accomplishments include the development of guidelines to synthesize families of materials that undergo efficient singlet fission – a multiexciton generation process that can revolutionize third-generation solar cells. They have also made key contributions in single molecule electronics through the creation of efficient diodes and switches.
In another example of the breadth of applicability of his work, the group also recently illustrated the use of cyclopropenium ions to develop polyelectrolytes that can be used in various applications, including gene delivery, bioimaging, and ion-conducting membranes. Considering that some of the fundamental challenges in gene delivery are lack of selectivity and biocompatibility, Luis’s work is a significant innovation in the field of polymer research.
Recognizing his groundbreaking and impactful contributions to polymer and materials science, we are thrilled to recognize Luis’s contributions with the 2017 Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award.