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Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science

The Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science recognizes graduate researchers who demonstrates research excellence in both research and technical presentations

2025 Award Winner

Dr. David Kitto
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

The PMSE Division is pleased to announce that David Kitto is the winner of the 2025 Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science. This award, sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company and administered by the PMSE Division, is given for the best paper presented at the Eastman Chemical Student Award Symposium as part of the PMSE program. The Eastman Chemical Student Award Symposium was held at the Fall 2024 ACS Meeting in Washington, DC.

David Kitto received his bachelor’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and recently completed his doctoral studies with Professor Jovan Kamcev at the University of Michigan. Currently, he is working as a postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Chris Arges at Argonne National Laboratory. David’s research interests span topics related to ion transport and charged polymers, from membrane synthesis and design to structure-property relationships and transport investigations. These topics aim to address problems related to resource management of water, energy, and critical minerals. His work has also been recognized with prior awards, including the 2024 North American Membrane Society Student Fellowship and the 2024 ACS Excellence in Polymer Graduate Research Award.

The other finalists who presented at the Award Symposium were Shoshana Williams (Stanford University), Anna Ringuette (Cornell University), Zehao Sun (Stanford University), Tarek S. Ibrahim (University of New Haven), and Logan Fenimore (Northwestern University).

Sponsored By

Award Details

Each finalist (up to 6) will receive up $900 for out-of-pocket expenses to attend the Fall National ACS Meeting and deliver an oral presentation on his or her work at the Eastman Chemical Award Symposium (part of the PMSE Division technical program). The awarded winner to an individual selected from among the finalists, the Eastman Chemical Student Award consists of a $1,600 award and an engraved plaque presented at the following Spring ACS National Meeting.

Nominations

The submission includes an abstract and a preprint of up to two pages conforming to the former PMSE preprint format. The preprint template can be accessed on the application page.

Each of the selected six nominees will deliver an oral presentation at the Fall National ACS Meeting’s Eastman Chemical Award Symposium. The selection will be made by a committee consisting of individuals selected by Award Chair or Chair of the PMSE Division.

Past Recipients

Nominations and Award Process

Purpose

The Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science recognizes graduate researchers who demonstrate research excellence in both technical publications and presentations.

This award was established in 1985 as the Sherwin Williams Award in Applied Polymer Science who continued their support until 1996. Since then, this award has been supported by ICI (1997-2008), AkzoNobel (2009-2013) and Eastman Chemical (2014 – present).

Rules of Eligibility

The award is open to nominations from graduate students, either currently in graduate school or not more than one year beyond graduation.

Nominations Package

Nominations open early in the calendar year for the Fall award symposium. The deadline may be extended if needed.

The submission includes an abstract and a preprint of up to two pages conforming to the former PMSE preprint format. The submission should include an abstract and a preprint of up to two pages conforming to the former PMSE preprint format. Applications must submitted using the online form by 11:59 PM Eastern Time March 9, 2026. Questions about the application process can be directed to Kelly A. Burke (University of Connecticut), the 2026 Chair of the Eastman Chemical Student Award Committee [Email].

Award Selection

Finalists will be selected by the PMSE Eastman Chemical Student Award Committee based on the scientific merit of their abstract and preprint. Each of the selected six nominees will deliver an oral presentation at the Fall National ACS Meeting’s Eastman Chemical Award Symposium. During this symposium, the award winner will be selected by judges based on the quality of his or her written application and oral presentation.

Award Announcement and Nature

Up to 6 nominees will be considered “Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science” finalists. Each finalist (up to 6) will receive up $900 for out-of-pocket expenses to attend the Fall National ACS Meeting and deliver an oral presentation on his or her work at the Eastman Chemical Award Symposium, which is part of the PMSE Division technical program.

The awarded winner to an individual selected from among the finalists, the Eastman Chemical Student Award consists of a $1,600 award and an engraved plaque presented at the following Spring ACS National Meeting.

About Our Sponsor

Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 14,000 people around the world. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

“Eastman Chemical is pleased to partner with the PMSE Division of the ACS to recognize outstanding student achievement in the field of polymers and materials research,” said Chris Killian, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “In addition, Eastman views sponsorship of this award as a tremendous opportunity to encourage the development and recognition of young scientists.”

Full List of Award Winners (1985 – Current)

As this award has had multiple sponsors, the award name is also included in the full list.

YearAwardNameAffiliationAnnouncement
2025Eastman Chemical Student AwardDavid KittoUniversity of MichiganLink
2024Eastman Chemical Student AwardRachel HuangStanford UniversityLink
2023Eastman Chemical Student AwardDivya IyerUniversity of California, Los AngelesLink
2022Eastman Chemical Student AwardMoahmmed bin RusayyisNorthwestern UniversityLink
2020Eastman Chemical Student AwardMonica OhnsorgUniversity of MinnesotaLink
2019Eastman Chemical Student AwardKonane BayStanford UniversityNot Available
2018Eastman Chemical Student AwardJeffrey LopezStanford UniversityLink
2017Eastman Chemical Student AwardRyan MondscheinVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityLink
2016Eastman Chemical Student AwardKenneth MineartNorth Carolina State UniversityLink
2015Eastman Chemical Student AwardStuti RajgarhiaUniversity of AkronLink
2014Eastman Chemical Student AwardMichael B. LarsenUniversity of WashingtonLink
2013AzkoNobel Student AwardMark W. TibbittUniversity of Colorado at BoulderLink
2012AzkoNobel Student AwardChristopher M. EvansNorthwestern UniversityLink
2011AzkoNobel Student AwardLauren D. ZarzarHarvard UniversityLink
2010AzkoNobel Student AwardJustin G. KennemurNorth Carolina State UniversityLink
2009AzkoNobel Student AwardMichelle M. MokNorthwestern UniversityNot Available
2008ICI Student AwardErin B. VogelMichigan State UniversityNot Available
2007ICI Student AwardKelly A. BurkeCase Western Reserve UniversityNot Available
2006ICI Student AwardMegan L. RueggUniversity of California, BerkeleyNot Available
2005ICI Student AwardYoungseon ChoiUniversity of MichiganNot Available
2004ICI Student AwardChristopher J. EllisonNorthwestern UniversityNot Available
2003ICI Student AwardBrian K. JohnsonPrinceton UniversityNot Available
2002ICI Student AwardJinsang KimMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNot Available
2001ICI Student AwardBrian E. PrioreCarnegie Mellon UniversityNot Available
2000ICI Student AwardAmy K. Burkoth-PoshustaUniversity of Colorado at BoulderNot Available
1999ICI Student AwardShu YangCornell UniversityNot Available
1998ICI Student AwardDavid B. HallNorthwestern UniversityNot Available
1997ICI Student AwardEllen C. LeeUniversity of California at BerkeleyNot Available
1996Sherwin-Williams Student AwardHong Yee LowCase Western Reserve UniversityNot Available
1995Sherwin-Williams Student AwardValerie V. ShearesUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel HillNot Available
1994Sherwin-Williams Student AwardMichael L. GreenfieldUniversity of California, BerkeleyNot Available
1993Sherwin-Williams Student AwardJoan K. VrtisUniversity of Massachusetts at AmherstNot Available
1992Sherwin-Williams Student AwardNathan A. MehlPrinceton UniversityNot Available
1991Sherwin-Williams Student AwardKathryn E. UhrichCornell UniversityNot Available
1990Sherwin-Williams Student AwardLori P. EngelUniversity of Florida, GainesvilleNot Available
1989Sherwin-Williams Student AwardRubing CaiUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel HillNot Available
1988Sherwin-Williams Student AwardPeter J. LudoviceMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyNot Available
1987Sherwin-Williams Student AwardBruce M. NovakCalifornia Institute of TechnologyNot Available
1986Sherwin-Williams Student AwardKrishna VenkataswamyCase Western Reserve UniversityNot Available
1985Sherwin-Williams Student AwardStephen R. Holmes-FarleyHarvard UniversityNot Available