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Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher ⬅️ All Members Brogan Dietsche Undergraduate Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next University of Wisconsin-Madison

Alumni Alumni ⬅️ All Members Yao Xiong Alumni Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Northwestern University

Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher ⬅️ All Members Feiyang Liu Undergraduate Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Davidson College

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 NSF MONET Outreach Kits that we develop, deploy, and present to a range of audiences across the country. Read More Participation Beyond MONET 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 NSF MONET Undergraduate Research Experience (URE) program. Read More

Postdoctoral Researcher Postdoctoral Researcher ⬅️ All Members Hao Guo Postdoctoral Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Duke University

Graduate Student Graduate Student ⬅️ All Members Christina Hemmingsen Graduate Student Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Northwestern University

Graduate Student Graduate Student ⬅️ All Members Claire Ogilvie Graduate Student Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Duke University

Exploring models for research and student training that extend beyond R1 institutions. Broader Impacts Broadening Participation Participation Beyond MONET Participation Beyond NSF MONET represents a transformative vision: extending our Center's reach and influence beyond traditional boundaries to create meaningful pathways for participation in the chemical sciences. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, we're building bridges between institutions, fostering mentorship networks, and creating spaces where scientists from all backgrounds can bring their authentic selves to their work. At the heart of this initiative are the stories of connection and community. When Directors of Broader Impacts from multiple NSF-funded Centers gathered at NDiSTEM conferences in Phoenix and Columbus, they weren't just sharing booth space—they were modeling a new approach to scientific collaboration. These cross-center partnerships, bringing together NSF MONET with the Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry and the Center for the Mechanical Control of Chemistry, demonstrated how institutions can amplify their collective impact by working together to engage diverse STEM talent. The symposium "Transforming STEM Through Broader Impacts" at NDiSTEM 2025 took this vision even further. With over 75 attendees, the session became a catalyst for change, exploring how cultural relevance and authentic mentorship can reshape the landscape of scientific education. The conversation continued beyond the conference room through the Science with Impact Podcast, extending these critical discussions to a wider audience and creating lasting resources for the community. Our partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities exemplify the power of bidirectional collaboration. Dr. Juana Mendenhall's leadership at both the SERMACS symposium and HBCU Engage highlighted how genuine partnerships—built on mutual respect and shared goals—can transform research environments and create opportunities for innovation. Dr. Mendenhall was even featured on the Science with Impact Podcast : These aren't one-way relationships; they're dynamic exchanges where each institution brings unique strengths to advance chemistry education and research. The Polymer Women Empowerment & Research (PoWER) initiative brought together over 100 participants for technical workshops and mentorship sessions at Northwestern University. NSF MONET senior investigators Julia Kalow and Monica Olvera de la Cruz led technical talks while NSF MONET trainees served as workshop leaders, creating a supportive community for early-career researchers. This intergenerational mentorship model demonstrates how empowering women and gender minorities in polymer science creates ripple effects throughout the field. When Dr. Vanessa Rosa spoke at the ACS Women in the Chemical Enterprise Networking Breakfast in San Diego, she joined hundreds of women chemists in building professional connections that transcend individual institutions. These moments of connection—whether at a breakfast networking event or a university symposium—form the foundation for sustained participation in chemical sciences. What makes BP Beyond NSF MONET distinctive is its emphasis on authenticity and cultural relevance. We've learned that effective outreach isn't about imposing structures from above; it's about creating spaces where people can integrate their identities, cultures, and passions into their scientific work. It's about student-led collaborations, community-based STEM education, and research that responds to real community needs. It's about recognizing that the path to scientific excellence runs through many doorways, and our job is to ensure those doorways are open and welcoming. Through these initiatives, BP Beyond NSF MONET is building a network of STEM leaders committed to excellence through expanded participation. We're creating best practices for cultural integration in STEM, establishing platforms for leadership development, and fostering collaborative approaches that benefit the entire scientific community. Most importantly, we're demonstrating that when we invest in people—through mentorship, authentic partnerships, and culturally relevant programming—we strengthen the foundation of scientific innovation itself. PoWER 2026: Building on Momentum The PoWER (Polymer Women Empowerment & Research) initiative returns for its second year, this time at the University of Toronto on May 21-22, 2026. Building on the success of the inaugural event at Northwestern, which brought together over 100 participants for technical workshops and mentorship sessions, PoWER 2026 expands its reach to 150+ women and gender minorities in polymer science. The workshop pairs intensive hands-on training with structured mentorship partnerships designed to accelerate career advancement for underrepresented scientists. The organizing committee includes Profs. Helen Tran, Elisabeth Prince, Julia Kalow (NSF MONET Senior Investigator), Jill Alty, Dr. Sara Orski, Dr. Rachel Snyder, and Prof. Symone Alexander. At Northwestern, NSF MONET senior investigators Julia Kalow and Monica Olvera de la Cruz led technical talks while NSF MONET trainees served as workshop leaders, creating an intergenerational mentorship model. PoWER 2026 continues this approach: empowering early-career researchers through both skill development and meaningful professional connections. The initiative demonstrates how targeted programming can broaden participation in polymer science while strengthening the field's pipeline of diverse talent. Previous Next

Trainees collaborate with and visit another NSF MONET-affiliated lab for cross-disciplinary research exposure. Broader Impacts Higher Education and Professional Development Lab Exchanges International Lab Exchanges: Building Global Networks and Advancing Research NSF MONET's International Lab Exchanges Initiative represents a cornerstone of our Signature Professional Development Experiences, providing trainees with transformative opportunities to expand their research capabilities, forge international collaborations, and gain perspectives that fundamentally reshape their scientific careers. Through partnerships across Switzerland, Germany, and Australia, our trainees have participated in immersive experiences that bridge academic research and real-world applications in materials science and sustainability. The impact of these exchanges extends far beyond technical skill development. When Ana Paula Kitos Vasconcelos participated in the Research University Alliance (RUA) Program, she spent a week visiting leading Swiss institutions, including ETH Zurich, EPFL, EMPA, and the Adolphe Merkle Institute. Her goal was clear: identify research groups aligned with her future career aspirations and discover pathways to postdoctoral opportunities. The connections she made opened doors to fellowship opportunities and potential postdoctoral projects, demonstrating how international exchanges catalyze long-term career trajectories. As Ana Paula reflected, the experience allowed her to "identify avenues of potential research opportunities" while receiving "direction and support for applying to fellowships." Similarly, Alex Foret's 10-week research experience in Dresden, Germany, exemplifies how international exchanges provide access to specialized expertise and techniques. Working under Professor Christian Roßner at the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Alex gained hands-on experience in synthesis and characterization techniques previously outside their research scope. The program, which brought together seven participants and culminated in a joint symposium between German and US labs, expanded Alex's professional network across continents while developing proficiency in methods that will prove invaluable throughout their materials science career. Juan Antonio Cintrón Cruz's two-week collaboration at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg demonstrates how NSF MONET leverages connections with senior investigators to facilitate cutting-edge research opportunities. Through relationships between NSF MONET PIs Steve Craig and Jeremiah Johnson and NMR expert Professor Kay Saalwächter, Juan gained access to advanced NMR characterization techniques to study polymer network structures. This collaboration not only enhanced Juan's analytical capabilities but also aims to implement these techniques at MIT, thereby expanding the characterization tools available across the entire center. The ongoing partnership is expected to yield a joint publication that showcases how these exchanges generate lasting scientific contributions. Perhaps most distinctive is the PELICANS program (Plastic in the Environment, Leaders in Collaboration from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States), which took Ana Paula and Herbert Wakefield IV to Australia for an intensive two-week exploration of the plastic industry's sustainability challenges. Through partnerships with the NSF Center for Sustainable Polymers, CSIRO, UNSW, Monash University, and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization, they examined packaging, recycling, policy, education, and pollution from an industry perspective. The trainees created educational materials on plastic food packaging and recycling challenges and contributed to a podcast series on plastic waste. This experience bridged the gap between academic research and industry needs, helping them "examine their research in the context of potential innovations that could be developed and applied to make a genuine difference in the plastic industry." Collectively, these International Lab Exchanges embody NSF MONET's commitment to developing scientists who can navigate the global research landscape, communicate across disciplinary and cultural boundaries, and translate their work into societal impact. By providing access to specialized facilities, fostering international collaborations, and exposing trainees to diverse research cultures and industry perspectives, these exchanges prepare them not only to advance materials science but also to lead the next generation of sustainable innovation. Previous Next

Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher ⬅️ All Members Madelyn Gregory Undergraduate Researcher Publications Impacts Previous Next Western Carolina University

Undergraduate Researcher Undergraduate Researcher ⬅️ All Members Sean Hsu Undergraduate Researcher Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next University of California San Diego

Alumni Alumni ⬅️ All Members Danyang Chen Alumni Publications Impacts I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title I'm an image title Previous Next Huawei