College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
ALUMNI E-NEWS | Winter 2016
uakron.edu/cpspe
In This Edition
FEATURES
Knight Foundation creates $3 million endowment for polymer research
The University of Akron announced the creation of a $3 million endowment to further strengthen the university’s internationally recognized polymer research and attract world-class faculty.
Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the W. Gerald Austen Endowed Chair in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, recognizes the work of renowned cardiac and thoracic surgeon Dr. W. Gerald Austen and his contributions to the Akron community.
The University of Akron’s College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering builds on the legacy of Akron’s rubber and plastics industry. The college’s work focuses on the development, understanding and application of polymers, the molecules from which almost everything we use – from water bottles and tires to electronics and medical devices – are made. Read More

Jana and Puskas to be honored by ACS Rubber Division
Two prominent UA researchers are being recognized by The American Chemical Society Rubber Division for their numerous contributions to their fields.
Dr. Sadhan Jana, professor and chair of the Department of Polymer Engineering will receive the George Stafford Whitby Award for Distinguished Teaching and Research. The award perpetuates the memory of George S. Whitby by honoring outstanding international teachers who have made contributions to chemical and/or polymer science through distinguished innovative and inspiration teaching and research. Jana, who joined UA in 1998 has contributed to the professional development of more than 100 undergraduate students and about 500 master’s and doctoral students pursuing advanced degrees in polymers, chemical engineering, and chemistry through classroom teaching, academic advising, mentoring, and supervision of thesis research at UA. He has directed thesis research of 25 doctorate and 17 master’s students at the university. Read More

Dean Amis Visits Asia to Meet with CPSPE Alumni in Korea, China and Taiwan
With CPSPE alumni living all over the world, Dean Eric Amis takes the opportunity to visit with alumni outside of Akron whenever he can. Recently, he connected with the CPSPE alumni community in Asia, visiting Jeju, Shanghai and Taipei. These gatherings were a chance for Dean Amis to share updates from CPSPE and UA, including highlights such as the launch of the College’s new Professional Master’s Program, UA’s appointment of new president, Matthew Wilson, and the announcement of a Master Research Agreement with Sandia National Laboratories. Read More
Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Patricia Hubbard, recently appointed Vice President of Research and Development for the Materials Group of North America at Avery Dennison and 1996 graduate from the Department of Polymer Science, shares how the education and research exposure offered at The University of Akron helped provide a foundation for success and allow her to build a life-long career in research and development. Read More
The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is proud to recognize all of our successful and exceptional alumni who are doing exciting things both personally and professionally. Do you know who our next alumni spotlight should feature? Tell us here.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Nicole Zacharia, originally from the Chicago suburbs, is an Assistant Professor of Polymer Engineering at CPSPE. Before joining CPSPE, she received her bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Mathematics, as well as her PhD in Materials Science from MIT. Learn more about Dr. Zacharia’s teaching philosophy and goals within the Department of Polymer Engineering. Read More
Tell us about a faculty member you would like see in the spotlight by emailing us here.
Student Spotlight
Kevin Endres is a current graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science. Prior to attending The University of Akron, he studied chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Kevin shares his story on why he chose The University of Akron, and what his experiences are as a graduate student in the Department of Polymer Science. Read More
Tell us about a student you would like to have in the spotlight by emailing us here.
CPSPE visits to China renew and establish University-to-University agreements
Dean Eric Amis holds very highly the college’s relationships with alumni and partners. This fall, he led a delegation, including Associate Dean Kevin Cavicchi and Program Coordinator Ying Wang, to visit numerous universities in China to renew or establish University-to-University cooperative agreements and strengthen these partnerships.
The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering has a strong history with these universities through the Akron Masters Program (AMP). The general structure for the AMP program is that students complete three years of undergraduate study at their home university and two years of study at UA in the Department of Polymer Science or Polymer Engineering. By completing this five year program they receive a B.S. from their home university and an M.S. from UA. Since 2011, 296 students have enrolled in this accelerated degree program. One measure of student success is that 99% of eligible students have graduated with their Master degrees from UA. In addition, 73% of these graduates have enrolled in Ph.D. programs at over 50 different universities worldwide. Read More
CPSPE Confers Over a Dozen Student Awards and Fellowships
Graduate students play a crucial role in the development of new technologies under the guidance and supervision of their professors. As such, awards and fellowships are a key component to the career development of these student researchers and scholars, giving them the opportunity and flexibility to focus their efforts on academics and research.
This year the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is honored to have conferred over a dozen awards and fellowships to many deserving students who exemplify academic and professional success.
We are thankful for the generous support of our alumni and industry partners who are committed to the next generation of researchers, professors, inventors and leaders without whom these awards would not be possible.
See this year’s award recipients
AGPA and CPSPE grad students visit GlenOak High School
The Akron Global Polymer Academy is persevering in its mission to provide exciting opportunities for students to experience polymers through hands-on activities and expanding outreach. Recently, AGPA visited GlenOak High School. Particularly, they visited the school’s science club that has organized a Junior Polymer Ambassadors group that will be helping run a polymer STEM day for Oakwood Middle School. The science club is advised by biology teacher, Dori Hess, who participated in the NSF funded Research Experience for Teachers in Polymer Engineering at UA in 2014 and 2015, doing medical research.
During AGPA’s visit to GlenOak, four CPSPE graduate students spoke to the high school students about their route to The University of Akron and how they became involved in the PhD program. Read More
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