Purpose

The PMSE Distinguished Service Award is given to recognize extensive, sustained contributions and service to the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) Division

Nature

The awardee will receive a $1500 prize, plaque and a $1500 maximum travel allowance to attend the Spring ACS National Meeting where the award is presented.

History

The first awardee was in 1993, recognizing Roy W. Tess’s enormous work to the PMSE division.  It has continued as a yearly award with 23 awardees to date.

Eligibility

The award is granted to an individual who is a current PMSE member.  Nominees must be a long-standing PMSE member and have had on the order of 20+ years of engagement with PMSE, with substantial active involvement in the division (e.g., serving as a leader on the Division’s Executive Committee, organizing many large symposia, serving PMSE on the ACS Council, leading important committee activities, etc.).

Nominations

Nominations are to be submitted by August 30 of each year to the Chair of the PMSE Distinguished Award Committee. The nomination must include: (1) curriculum vitae and (2) supporting letter(s) describing the significance of the service to the PMSE division. Nominations that are not successful will be kept active and considered in subsequent evaluations each year for four years.

2021 Award Winner: Melissa Grunlan

Melissa Grunlan is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and Holder of the Charles H. and Bettye Barclay Professorship in Engineering, TAMU Presidential Impact Fellow, and TAMU Chancellor EDGES Fellow. She holds courtesy appointments in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering and the Department of Chemistry. Prof. Grunlan obtained a B.S. in Chemistry and M.S. in Polymers in Coatings from North Dakota State University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Southern California. Her work is focused on the development of synthetic polymeric biomaterials for implanted medical devices and for regenerative engineering. She is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS; inducted 2019).

Prof. Grunlan has a record of extensive service to the PMSE Division, including: Past Chair (2019), Chair (2018), Chair-Elect (2017), Vice Chair/Program Chair (2016), Secretary (2014-2015), and Member-at-Large (2013-2014). As PMSE chair, she led efforts to create a budget plan, improve operations, and enhance communications and visibility. For the Fall 2018 National ACS Meeting (Boston), she proposed and co-organized the inaugural “PMSE Future Faculty Symposium” which has remained an annual event to recognize outstanding young investigators. Prior to that, Prof. Grunlan organized a number of PMSE symposia focused on polymeric biomaterials. She continues to serve the division as a member of the executive committee’s Young Polymer Scientist & Engineering Committee. Prof. Grunlan notes, “I am truly honored to receive this recognition. PMSE has afforded me tremendous opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to meet many wonderful colleagues.”