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Roy W. Tess Award

The Roy W. Tess Award recognizes outstanding individual achievements and noteworthy contributions to coatings science, technology, and engineering

2024 Award Winner

Dr. Wenjun Wu
Arkema Coating Resins

Dr. Wenjun Wu received her B.S. degree (1986) and M.S. degree (1990) in Chemistry from Peking University, and Ph.D. degree from the University of Southern California in 1995.  Upon completing her post-doctoral research at Henkel Corporation Research, she joined Union Carbide in 1996.

Dr. Wu has since progressed through various roles, serving as intellectual capital manager and research leader at both The Dow Chemical Company and Arkema Coating Resins. Over her 27 years in the industry, she spearheaded the development of numerous technology platforms and successfully brought to market over 25 emulsion polymer binders and additives. These innovations found applications in diverse fields such as coatings, personal care products, aircraft anti-icing fluids, and lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Wu is an inventor of 20 patent families.

Dr. Wu’s achievements have been recognized through 43 internal awards, including two best paper awards and two technology center awards from The Dow Chemical Company and two-time Arkema CEO Performance awards. In addition to her significant commercial impact at her workplace, she has received several prestigious industry awards and professional honors for her outstanding contributions and service.

  • Society of Cosmetic Chemists Award
  • American Coatings Best Paper Award
  • Roon Foundation Award
  • Siltech Best Innovative Paper Award
  • European Coatings Award
  • Mattiello Lecture Award
  • American Chemical Society POLY Fellow

Dr. Wu is currently an Arkema research fellow and global waterborne innovation leader for Arkema Coating Resins.

The Tess Award is presented annually by the Division of Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering at the Fall National ACS Meeting in recognition of outstanding contributions to coatings science, engineering and technology. It is funded by a grant to the Division from Dr. and Mrs. Roy W. Tess. The purpose of the award is to encourage interest and progress in coatings science technology and engineering and to recognize significant contributions to the field. The Award consists of a plaque and a $3000 cash prize, and coverage of travel expenses (up to a maximum of $1500).  We look forward to recognizing Dr. Wu at the PMSE/POLY Plenary Lecture and Awards Reception this Fall in Denver.

Award Details

The award recognizes outstanding individual achievements and note-worthy contributions to coatings science, technology, and engineering

History

The award was originally established in 1986 and is funded by a grant to the Division from Dr. and Mrs. Roy W. Tess.

Nominations

Nomination packages should follow package submission guidelines detailed below.

Nominations will be reviewed by members of the Roy W. Tess Award Committee, PMSE Past Chair and additional reviewers selected by the committee.

Past Recipients

Nominations and Award Process

Purpose

The Roy W. Tess Award was inaugurated to recognize outstanding individual achievements and note-worthy contributions to coatings science, technology, and engineering. The PMSE Division history started in paints and coatings, and the Division continues long-standing and continuing support and dedication to excellence in the science, technology, and engineering of coatings.

Rules of Eligibility

The nominee(s) for this award must have a documented record of impactful individual achievements and contributions to coatings science, technology, and engineering. Nominees are strongly encouraged to be members of the PMSE Division.

Nominations Package

Nominations are welcome from all sectors of industry, government and academia by September 1 of each year.

The  Tess Award Criteria and nomination procedure is available as a [PDF], listing the preferred contents and format for a nomination.  Nominations should be submitted to the Chair of the Roy W. Tess Award Committee.  Nominations will be reviewed by members of the Roy W. Tess Award Committee, PMSE Past Chair and additional reviewers selected by the committee. Each nomination will be considered viable during four award years following its receipt but must be renewed beyond that time.

The deadline for applications to be considered for the 2024 – 2027 Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings will be September 1, 2023, to Jamil Baghdachi [E-mail].

Award Selection

Awardees will be selected based on accomplishments, the importance of these accomplishments to the nominee’s profession, and the overall impact on the field of polymer science and engineering.

Nominations will be reviewed by members of the Roy W. Tess Award Committee, PMSE Past Chair and additional reviewers selected by the committee. Each nomination will be considered viable during four award years following its receipt but must be renewed beyond that time.

Award Announcement and Nature

Awardees will be notified early in the calendar year of the award, prior to the ACS National Meeting.

The awardee will receive a $3000 prize, plaque, and a $1500 maximum travel allowance to attend the Fall ACS National Meeting. At the National Meeting, an invited symposium is held in the awardee’s honor on topics related to the research field and collaborators that contributed to the award selection. An evening reception in honor of the Tess award recipient and other PMSE and POLY award winners will also be held.

Full List of Award Winners

2019 – 2010

2009 – 2000

1999 – 1990

  • 1999 Mitchell A. Winnik
  • 1998 Loren W. Hill
  • 1997 Werner J. Blank
  • 1996 John K. Gillham
  • 1995 John L. Gardon
  • 1994 Werner Funke
  • 1993 Larry F. Thompson
  • 1992 Ray A. Dickie
  • 1991 Kenneth L. Hoy
  • 1990 Walter K. Asbeck

1989 – 1986

  • 1989 Theodore Provder
  • 1988 Zeno W. Wicks, Jr.
  • 1987 Marco Wismer
  • 1986 Williams D. Emmons