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

2022 Award Winner

Mohammed Bin Rusayyis
Northwestern University

The PMSE Division is pleased to announce that Mohammed Bin Rusayyis is the winner of the 2022 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 Spring 2022 National ACS Meeting.

Mr. Bin Rusayyis highlighted his outstanding Ph.D. research under the direction of his advisor, Professor John Torkelson, and presented the talk, “Reprocessable addition-type polymer networks with full crosslink density recovery and excellent elevated-temperature creep resistance.”

Mohammad Bin Rusayyis is a Ph.D candidate in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at Northwestern University. His Ph.D. research, under the supervision of Professor John Torkelson, addresses the long-standing issues associated with the recycling of cross-linked polymers and elastomers by employing simple dynamic covalent chemistries to develop sustainable material solutions. Prior to his graduate career, Mohammed worked at SABIC where he led various product development projects in addition to providing technical support to SABIC’s manufacturing sites. Mohammed received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland and his M.S. in Macromolecular Science & Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

The Eastman Chemical Student Award Finalists

Tuning fundamental properties in liquid crystalline elastomers for design of complex and reprogrammable actuation
Tayler Hebner, University of Colorado at Boulder
Photopolymerized superwettable coatings enabled by dual-purpose ZnO for liquid/liquid separation
Chenxuan Li, Texas A&M University
Molecular design approach towards elastic and multifunctional polymer electronics
Yu Zheng, Stanford University
Infrared spectroscopy study of polymer gelation mechanism in inorganic salt hydrate
Kartik Kumar Rajagopalan, Texas A&M University
Reprocessable addition-type polymer networks with full crosslink density recovery and excellent elevated-temperature creep resistance
Mohammed Bin Rusayyis, Northwestern University (Winner)
Radical transfer polyolefin C–H functionalization towards upcycled ionomers
Jill Alty, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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). All finalists will also receive a one-year complimentary membership in the PMSE Division. 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.

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 24, 2023. Questions about the application process can be directed to Kelly A. Burke (University of Connecticut), the 2023 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. All finalists will also receive a one-year complimentary membership in the PMSE Division.

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, Vice President of Specialty Products Technology for Eastman. “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)

Eastman Chemical Student Award Winners (2014 – )

2020 – Monica Ohnsorg (University of Minnesota)
2019 – Konane Bay (Stanford University)
2018 – Jeffrey Lopez (Stanford University)
2017 – Ryan Mondschein (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)
2016 – Kenneth Mineart (North Carolina State University)
2015 – Stuti Rajgarhia (University of Akron)
2014 – Michael B. Larsen (University of Washington)

AzkoNobel Student Award Winners (2009 – 2013)

2013 – Mark W. Tibbitt (University of Colorado at Boulder)
2012 – Christopher M. Evans (Northwestern University)
2011 – Lauren D. Zarzar (Harvard University)
2010 – Justin G. Kennemur (North Carolina State University)
2009 – Michelle M. Mok (Northwestern University)

ICI Student Award Winners (1997 – 2008)

2008 – Erin B. Vogel (Michigan State University)
2007 – Kelly A. Burke (Case Western Reserve University)
2006 – Megan L. Ruegg (University of California, Berkeley)
2005 – Youngseon Choi (University of Michigan)
2004 – Christopher J. Ellison (Northwestern University)
2003 – Brian K. Johnson (Princeton University)
2002 – Jinsang Kim (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
2001 – Brian E. Priore (Carnegie Mellon University)
2000 – Amy K. Burkoth-Poshusta (University of Colorado at Boulder)
1999 – Shu Yang (Cornell University)
1998 – David B. Hall (Northwestern University)
1997 – Ellen C. Lee (University of California at Berkeley)

Sherwin-Williams Student Award Winners (1985 – 1996)

1996 – Hong Yee Low (Case Western Reserve University)
1995 – Valerie V. Sheares (Univ. of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
1994 – Michael L. Greenfield (University of California – Berkeley)
1993 – Joan K. Vrtis (University of Massachusetts at Amherst)
1992 – Nathan A. Mehl (Princeton University)
1991 – Kathryn E. Uhrich (Cornell University)
1990 – Lori P. Engel (University of Florida – Gainesville)
1989 – Rubing Cai (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
1988 – Peter J. Ludovice (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
1987 – Bruce M. Novak (California Institute of Technology)
1986 – Krishna Venkataswamy (Case Western Reserve University)
1985 – Stephen R. Holmes-Farley (Harvard University)