Development of polymer chemistry data tools such as BigSMILES, PolyDAT, and the CRIPT spinoff. Broader Impacts Innovation Data Tools Previous Next

Transforming Polymer Science Through Industry Collaborations Broader Impacts Innovation Industry Partnerships Previous Next

Converting high-touch experiences into MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Broader Impacts Informal Science Communication Outreach Kits Previous Next

Explore exciting opportunities to advance polymer chemistry and broaden STEM participation with MONET. Join Us As a center, we seek partnership opportunities with other institutions, researchers, outreach efforts, and industry. To view and sort current partnership opportunities by type, use the tags below: Industry Institutional Join MONET Outreach Industry Partnerships Transforming Polymer Science Through Industry Collaborations Read More Outreach Kits Converting high-touch experiences into MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Read More PUI Partnerships Exploring models for research and student training that extend beyond R1 institutions. Read More Undergraduate Research Experiences Expanding access to laboratory research projects through the MONET Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) program. Read More

Impactful Programs As with our research, we seek to be distinct and distinctive in our broader impact efforts by targeting high-impact activities we couldn’t pull off in our laboratories alone. Click on our areas of activity to toggle them on and off and display highlights of our ongoing efforts: Art of Polymers Learn More Signature Professional Development Experiences Learn More Training Events Learn More Research Translations Learn More Outreach Partners Learn More Lab Exchanges Learn More Outreach Kits Learn More PUI Partnerships Learn More CRIPT Learn More Industry Partnerships Learn More Undergraduate Research Experiences Learn More Technique Tutorials Learn More

Broader Impacts MONET expands participation in STEM by:

Broader Impacts MONET increases public scientific literacy through:

Broader Impacts MONET bolsters career readiness through:

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Discover MONET’s wide range of undergraduate research projects! Find the perfect project to enhance your academic experience and boost your career prospects. Explore our selection now. Multi-Mentor Research Experiences for Undergraduates MONET's Multi-Mentor Research for Undergraduates program connects students with collaborative research projects across multiple institutions and labs . This distributed model allows undergraduate students to engage in polymer chemistry research regardless of their home institution's resources. The program welcomes domestic and international students enrolled in accredited Bachelor's degree programs. Projects typically take place during the summer months. Through an anonymous selection process , MONET evaluates candidates based on their interests and goals rather than institutional affiliations or metrics (e.g. , GPA, SAT). The program has achieved remarkable success in broadening participation in polymer chemistry research, with 90% of participants from small research or no-research institutions. Eligibility: Enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's Degree Program. Domestic and International students are encouraged to apply. Deadline: Applications to participate in MONET's 2025 Undergraduate Research Experience Program were due Monday, February 10, 2025. We will be accepting students again in the Summer of 2026. FAQs How can I make my application competitive? Click here for a comprehensive resource to improving your URE Applications, recorded for you by several directors of Undergraduate Research Programs and the students of George Mason University's Chapter of NOBCChE (National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers). What projects are available? Click here for a complete listing of this year's participating institutions, labs, and mentors. Note : Projects are designed to occur over the summer. Start and end dates are negotiable. Where can I apply? Click here to apply ! What's required to apply? The basics - your contact information, university, major, and prior coursework. Prior experiences in research and teaching (none are required to participate). A 2,000-character personal statement (specifics provided in the application). Letters of recommendation are not required for the application process. How will applications be evaluated? Our objective is to broaden participation in poly mer chemistry research for undergraduate students. As such, the Investigators will receive a version of your application that does not include your name, institution, GPA, transcripts, or other identifying details. They will choose applicants to interview based on their major, projects of interest, and personal statement. Tip : Ensure the first few lines of your statement are attention-grabbing! Click here to submit a new question.

Meet our team of distinguished researchers and staff driving MONET's mission. THE MONET TEAM Our team comprises leading senior investigators from across the country and the globe, and traditional subfields of chemistry, working together to transform our molecular understanding of polymer networks. We are united by a commitment to high impact through collaboration, broadening the impact of our research through integrated outreach to industry and the public, and supportive recruitment, advising, and mentoring. SENIOR INVESTIGATORS TRAINEES EXTERNAL ADVISORY BOARD Senior Investigators Stephen Craig Principal Investigator Duke University Steve Craig is an expert in using single molecule force spectroscopy of synthetic polymers to characterize the full extensional behavior of individual polymer strands. Learn More Principal Investigator Luis Campos Senior Investigator Columbia University Luis Campos explores molecular, macromolecular, and nanostructured materials to develop advanced functional systems. Learn More Senior Investigator Jeremiah A. Johnson Senior Investigator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Jeremiah Johnson has created iterative exponential growth (IEG) chemistry that can be implemented in either flow or batch mode to provide access to perfectly monodisperse polymer strands of precise sequence for Center research projects. Learn More Senior Investigator Julia Kalow Senior Investigator Northwestern University Julia Kalow is developing synthetic strategies for translating molecular structure and reactivity into macroscopic properties, including photochemically gated junctions that allow spatiotemporal control of junction dynamics throughout a network. Learn More Senior Investigator Rebekka Klausen Senior Investigator Johns Hopkins University Rebekka Klausen designs and synthesizes novel molecular building blocks to construct exciting nanoscale materials. Learn More Senior Investigator Heather Kulik Senior Investigator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Heather Kulik leverages computational modeling to aid the discovery of new materials and mechanisms. Learn More Senior Investigator Juana Mendenhall Senior Investigator Morehouse College Dr. Mendenhall is currently the Walter E. Massey Professor of Physical Sciences at Morehouse College, President and Founder of TheraViscTM, LLC, and the TEDx licensee for TEDx Morehouse College. Her ground-breaking medical technology shows real potential in healing osteoarthritis. Learn More Senior Investigator Jeffrey S. Moore Senior Investigator University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Jeffrey Moore synthesizes and studies large organic molecules to discover new polymeric materials. Learn More Senior Investigator Alshakim Nelson Senior Investigator University of Washington Alshakim Nelson develops stimuli-responsive materials and bio-hybrid materials that are designed for additive manufacturing processes. Learn More Senior Investigator Bradley D. Olsen Senior Investigator Massachusetts Institute of Technology Brad Olsen has developed and applied multiple state-of-the-art techniques for characterizing the properties of polymer networks in general and dynamic networks in particular. Learn More Senior Investigator Monica Olvera de la Cruz Senior Investigator Northwestern University Monica Olvera de la Cruz develops models to describe the self-assembly of heterogeneous molecules and the segregation and interface adsorption in multicomponent complex fluids. Learn More Senior Investigator Michael Rubinstein Senior Investigator Duke University Michael Rubinstein has developed theories of dynamic and covalent networks, including models of both thermodynamics and dynamics of unentangled and entangled reversible networks and gels. Learn More Senior Investigator Nancy Sottos Senior Investigator University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Nancy Sottos studies the mechanical behavior of various complex, heterogeneous materials through meso, micro, and nanoscale characterizing deformation and failure mechanisms. Learn More Senior Investigator Nicole Steinmetz Senior Investigator University of California, San Diego Nicole Steinmetz is helping MONET push polymer networks across new frontiers through the design, development and testing of materials and biologics derived from conjugated virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from plants. Learn More Senior Investigator External Advisory Board We are fortunate to have an expert and dedicated advisory board that pushes us to be distinct and distinctive in every one of our science and broader impact activities. Cameron Brown Eastman Chemical Co. Thomas Epps III University of Delaware Jeannette Garcia IBM Brett Helms Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Malika Jeffries-El Boston University Eugenia Kumacheva University of Toronto Janice McDonnell Rutgers University Emily Pentzer Texas A&M University Trainees Abe Herzog-Arbeitman Graduate Student Alayna Johnson Alumni Alexis Martell Monterroza Graduate Student Allison Rattay Undergraduate Researcher Ana Paula Kitos Vasconcelos Graduate Student Anna Gray Davis Graduate Student Annika (Alex) Foret Alumni Anthony Mack Graduate Student Brian Richard Carrick Graduate Student Brogan Dietsche Undergraduate Researcher Calvin Shih Graduate Student Chinyere (Connie) Okeke Undergraduate Researcher Christina Hemmingsen Graduate Student Chuting Deng Postdoctoral Researcher Claire Ogilvie Graduate Student Clara Troyano-Valls Alumni Cody Ng Alumni Curt Waltmann Alumni Danyang Chen Alumni Devosmita Sen Graduate Student Dylan Gregson Undergraduate Researcher Edgar Mejia Alumni Elvis McFee Graduate Student Emily Wearing Alumni Emmanuel Alejandro Garcia Villatoro Graduate Student

Get an overview of our research mission, projects, and areas of focus in transforming polymer and network chemistry. Research that drives: Fundamental chemical advances in molecule-material relationships by recasting a major field of study as a fully chemistry-centered sub-discipline and extending our understanding and application of fundamental chemical principles. Technological advances that rewrite existing performance and end-of-life rules for polymer network materials via efficient chemical resetting and recycling to improve performance, extend lifetime, and minimize waste stream. Conceptual advances , by demonstrating that new forms of embedded covalent response, such as reactive strand extension, improve the limits to which polymer gels and elastomers can be stretched and the energy they can absorb. Our accomplishments continue to evolve. Please see our collection of publications that describe some of the achievements of our team. PUBLICATIONS Follow Our Center's Research: