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
2024 Award Winner
Dr. Rachel Huang
Stanford University
Now University of Texas at Austin

The PMSE Division is pleased to announce that Rachel Huang is the winner of the 2024 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 National ACS Meeting in Denver.
Dr. Rachel Huang completed her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with Prof. Zhenan Bao and Prof. Yi Cui. Her thesis work focused on designing polymeric materials for Li batteries, which she presented at the ACS Fall Eastman Symposium 2024. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow working with Prof. Benny Freeman at the University of Texas at Austin, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering. Her research is at the intersection of E-Chem devices and polymer membranes.
The other finalists who presented at the Award Symposium were Hesham Aboukelia (University of Oklahoma), Sarah Fisher (Texas A&M University), Rishi Gurnani (Georgia Institute of Technology), Matthew Sanders (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), and Tianjian Yang (University of Connecticut).
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 February 18, 2025. Questions about the application process can be directed to Kelly A. Burke (University of Connecticut), the 2025 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.
Year | Award | Name | Affiliation | Announcement |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Rachel Huang | Stanford University | Link |
2023 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Divya Iyer | University of California, Los Angeles | Link |
2022 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Moahmmed bin Rusayyis | Northwestern University | Link |
2020 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Monica Ohnsorg | University of Minnesota | Link |
2019 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Konane Bay | Stanford University | Not Available |
2018 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Jeffrey Lopez | Stanford University | Link |
2017 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Ryan Mondschein | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Link |
2016 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Kenneth Mineart | North Carolina State University | Link |
2015 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Stuti Rajgarhia | University of Akron | Link |
2014 | Eastman Chemical Student Award | Michael B. Larsen | University of Washington | Link |
2013 | AzkoNobel Student Award | Mark W. Tibbitt | University of Colorado at Boulder | Link |
2012 | AzkoNobel Student Award | Christopher M. Evans | Northwestern University | Link |
2011 | AzkoNobel Student Award | Lauren D. Zarzar | Harvard University | Link |
2010 | AzkoNobel Student Award | Justin G. Kennemur | North Carolina State University | Link |
2009 | AzkoNobel Student Award | Michelle M. Mok | Northwestern University | Not Available |
2008 | ICI Student Award | Erin B. Vogel | Michigan State University | Not Available |
2007 | ICI Student Award | Kelly A. Burke | Case Western Reserve University | Not Available |
2006 | ICI Student Award | Megan L. Ruegg | University of California, Berkeley | Not Available |
2005 | ICI Student Award | Youngseon Choi | University of Michigan | Not Available |
2004 | ICI Student Award | Christopher J. Ellison | Northwestern University | Not Available |
2003 | ICI Student Award | Brian K. Johnson | Princeton University | Not Available |
2002 | ICI Student Award | Jinsang Kim | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Not Available |
2001 | ICI Student Award | Brian E. Priore | Carnegie Mellon University | Not Available |
2000 | ICI Student Award | Amy K. Burkoth-Poshusta | University of Colorado at Boulder | Not Available |
1999 | ICI Student Award | Shu Yang | Cornell University | Not Available |
1998 | ICI Student Award | David B. Hall | Northwestern University | Not Available |
1997 | ICI Student Award | Ellen C. Lee | University of California at Berkeley | Not Available |
1996 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Hong Yee Low | Case Western Reserve University | Not Available |
1995 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Valerie V. Sheares | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Not Available |
1994 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Michael L. Greenfield | University of California, Berkeley | Not Available |
1993 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Joan K. Vrtis | University of Massachusetts at Amherst | Not Available |
1992 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Nathan A. Mehl | Princeton University | Not Available |
1991 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Kathryn E. Uhrich | Cornell University | Not Available |
1990 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Lori P. Engel | University of Florida, Gainesville | Not Available |
1989 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Rubing Cai | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | Not Available |
1988 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Peter J. Ludovice | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Not Available |
1987 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Bruce M. Novak | California Institute of Technology | Not Available |
1986 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Krishna Venkataswamy | Case Western Reserve University | Not Available |
1985 | Sherwin-Williams Student Award | Stephen R. Holmes-Farley | Harvard University | Not Available |