Institute of Materials Science

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Hailin Fu

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by Paige Bjerke
IMS Written Communications Assistant

Dr. Hailin Fu graduated in 2012 from Nanjing University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry before pursuing a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry through the Polymer Program at the UConn Institute of Materials Science. She completed her Ph.D. in 2018.

In September of 2024, after conducting postdoctoral research at both the University of California, Berkeley, and Eindhoven University in the Netherlands, Fu began work as an Assistant Professor at Westlake University in Hangzhou, China.

IMS News reached out to Professor Fu with a few questions about where her educational and research journeys have taken her so far, and how she hopes to apply what she has learned going forward.

Dr. Hailin Fu
Dr. Hailin Fu

IMS News: Your educational journey was taken all around the world. From receiving your Bachelor’s in your home country of China, to earning your Ph.D. at UConn, to conducting postdoctoral research in both California and the Netherlands. What benefits did you derive from studying in such a wide variety of locations?

Fu: It gave me opportunities to think about things from different points of view and to break some stereotypical thoughts. I experienced different styles of learning, working, research, and life. The more places I went, the more I reflected on what kind of person I wanted to be. At UConn, I found my passion for outdoor activities and gained confidence and curiosity through exploring different fields of science.

IMS News: Much of your recent and ongoing research seems to involve the relationship between supramolecular polymers and water. What compelled you to study this and what have you discovered so far?

Fu: Water and supramolecular polymers are important components of life. Some good examples are cytoskeletons in cells and fibers in muscles. I’m compelled to study supramolecular polymers and water for my keen interest in life.

We discovered the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) phenomenon of synthetic supramolecular polymers, which is somehow ignored or left out by the supramolecular polymer field. Supramolecular polymers can form into tactoids and arrange themselves in a highly ordered way in the solution through LLPS, opening possibilities for a range of new materials, from nanoscopic soft matter to highly structured aqueous solutions. The new discovery also applies to the liquid crystalline field. It serves as the magnified analog to small molecule liquid crystals and introduces more chemical diversity and tunability compared to biomolecular filament-based liquid crystals.

IMS News: Where can we see concepts from your current research in everyday life, and which industries would you hope to see applying your research in the future?

Fu:  The formation of liquid droplets in vinegar and oil is a typical example of the liquid-liquid phase separation phenomenon. Water can also form into liquid droplets in the presence of some macromolecules. Lots of liquid droplets (also called “membraneless organelles”) in cells are considered to be formed by the LLPS of proteins, including DNA and RNA. Like macromolecules, supramolecular polymers can drive the LLPS of water. The phase separated state of supramolecular polymers may also be related to liquid crystals formed by rod-like filaments like amyloid fibrils, microtubules, cellulose, etc.

We think this phenomenon may help generate ordered and dynamic materials with long-range orders. Considering the noncovalent nature of supramolecular polymers, high chemical diversity through modular stacking, high tunability with stimuli response, and high recyclability can be achieved simultaneously. It may be used to generate biomaterials that can interact with cells in a dynamic and responsive way. Combining functions and long-range order together, it also has the potential to be used to make optoelectronic materials with better performance.

IMS News: I read that you decided to go to the Netherlands after encouragement from UConn Professor Yao Lin. What advice do you have for prospective Ph.D. students on building this high level of trust with their professors?

Fu: I would say communication is the most important thing. Besides the weekly individual meetings, which are at least one hour long, Prof. Yao Lin and I had many other discussions. Encouraged by continued feedback and conversations, I started to be more open in asking questions or sharing concerns. Trust is built gradually through years-long interactions. Prof. Yao Lin had visited the Netherlands during his sabbatical and shared his experience in our chats. This made his suggestion quite convincing.

IMS News: You recently started a new position as an Assistant Professor at Westlake University in China. Why were you drawn to a career in education, and what do you hope to accomplish in this new role? 

Fu: This new role combines both education and research. As the beneficiary of education, especially from the tutoring of my Ph.D. advisor and postdoctoral advisors, I’ve grown into a better person, and I hope to do the same for other people through education. I’d also love to work with young and creative minds to challenge new possibilities and discover new things in research. As an assistant professor, I hope to build a well-functioning and well-managed lab, do some fun and unique research, and help students to achieve success in their careers.

Polymer Program Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Frias ’16

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Jennifer Frias '16
Dr. Jennifer Frias, IMS Polymer Program ’16

by Paige Bjerke
IMS Written Communications Assistant

Dr. Jennifer Frias graduated from Simmons University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics before pursuing a polymer science Ph.D. in Professor Douglas Adamson’s group at the UConn Institute of Materials Science Polymer Program. She completed her degree in 2016.

Dr. Frias began her career as a Research Chemist at the chemical company Solvay.  She now works as an Advanced Technology Scientist at Nye Lubricants, a manufacturer of specialty lubricants for space applications and other critical applications in the automotive, medical and semiconductor industries. 

IMS News reached out to Dr. Frias with a few questions about her experience at UConn and how it applies to her work today. 

IMS News: Why did you choose to pursue a Ph.D. in polymer science, and what particularly drew you to UConn’s program? 

Frias: “I chose to pursue a Ph.D. in polymer science as I had exposure to polymer synthesis during my undergraduate thesis research at Simmons University. In addition, I participated in a 10-week research experience for undergraduates (REU) at UConn in the IMS Polymer Program in Dr. Adamson’s lab. That experience solidified my decision to pursue further education.”

IMS News: How did the UConn faculty support you while completing your Ph.D. and research?  

Frias: “The UConn faculty were very supportive during my Ph.D. coursework and research. They invested in additional study sessions when we were preparing for our cumulative exams, and practice sessions for our oral exams to become a Ph.D. candidate. My advisor, Dr. Adamson, was very supportive, encouraging, and always available to discuss if we had a new idea.” 

IMS News: What does your day to day look like in your position with Nye Lubricants?  

Frias: “I am an Advanced Technology Scientist looking at next generation technologies to incorporate into our lubricants to enhance performance, offer more sustainable solutions to our customers, and provide a technical advantage over the competition. My day-to-day can vary by working with our internal collaborators, our R&D colleagues, or our external collaborators, such as a university. With being part of the global FUCHS network now, there are additional market segments that we serve, so every day is unique and challenging. The best part is the collaboration among the team.”  

IMS News: What industries does your work mostly serve, and where and how might we see your work/creations in everyday life?  

Frias: “Our site, based in Fairhaven MA, formulates and manufactures specialty lubricants for automotive, aerospace, aviation, and medical, to name a few. A cool example of where our lubricants end up is our NyeBar® Barrier Film on the Mars Perseverance Rover. Other examples include our damping/motion control lubricants in automotive interior applications such as sunroofs, seat tracks, knobs and shifters.” 

IMS News: As an alumna, what advice would you give to aspiring or current polymer science Ph.D. students?   

Frias: “My advisor in undergraduate always told me: ‘getting into grad school is the easy part, staying in grad school is the challenge.’ I never knew what that meant until experiencing it for myself. A Ph.D. is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep plugging along, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It will pay off. Dig deep!” 

Hanyi Duan Completes His Polymer Ph.D.

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Dr. Hanyi Duan (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)
Dr. Hanyi Duan (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Before coming to UConn, Hanyi completed a bachelor’s degree in macromolecular materials & engineering in Taiyuan University of Technology, then a master’s degree in polymer chemistry & physics at Zhejiang University. After this experience, Hanyi joined the UConn IMS Polymer Science Ph.D. Program with great drive and enthusiasm.  Under the guidance of co-advisors, Professors Jie He and Yao Lin, Hanyi’s research resulted in an astounding ten publications as lead author and eighteen as co-author.  This extensive publication list has already led to 641 citations.

In 2023 Hanyi received the Samuel J. Huang Graduate Student Research Award for his outstanding performance.  His thesis, “Plasmonic Patchy Nanoparticles: Controlled Synthesis and Self-Assembly in Solution,” was completed in summer 2024.

Hanyi has taken a position as postdoctoral research scholar at Indiana Univ., Bloomington. He is blazing the trail to his long- term goal: a faculty research position.

IMS Polymer Program Welcomes New Students

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IMS Polymer Program fall 2024 semester new students
Clay Gensel (l) and Vinh Le (r) joined the IMS Polymer Program Ph.D. program for the Fall 2024 semester.

The IMS Polymer Ph.D. Program welcomes two students this fall, Clay Gensel and Vinh Le.  Both are local New Englanders.  Clay Gensel completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UMass Amherst in the spring of 2024.  During his senior year there, he joined the research lab of Professor Bryan Coughlin. This experience gave him both the desire to pursue a doctoral degree program and the confidence to do so.  Intrigued with the polymer research in the Coughlin lab, Clay decided to pursue the UConn Polymer Program

Vinh Le completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Central Connecticut State University. During his program he was introduced to organic synthesis in the research lab of Professor Neil Glagovich. After completing his degree, Vinh gained 3 years of professional experience in local industry. This experience introduced him to the exciting world of polymer science. Vinh was eager to join the UConn Polymer Program because it gave him the unique opportunity to study polymer science while living in his home state of Connecticut.

The polymer program welcomes these two talented Ph.D. students.

IMS Polymer Program Receives DoE GAANN Grant

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Science 1 Research Center, home of the IMS Polymer Program

The IMS Polymer Program has been awarded its fourth Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) grant in 10 years. The PI, Professor Mu-Ping Nieh, and co-PIs Professors Rajeswari Kasi, Yao Lin, and Anson Ma led the recent grant proposal, “Design High-Efficiency Polymers and Nanocomposites with Their Life-Cycle in Consideration (Upcycling, Recycling, Biodegradability),” with assistance from Professors Luyi Sun and Kelly Burke. The team effort was awarded $1,119,095 which is expected to support five Polymer Ph.D. students over a three-year period.

The GAANN grant was created by the Department of Education to support academically strong students with financial need pursuing a doctoral degree in specific subject areas considered “in need”. Polymer Science is considered an area of national need. Many academic areas in the STEM fields fall under this category.

The first GAANN grant for the IMS Polymer Program was awarded in 2015. Since then, the program has been awarded three additional GAANN grants. In total, the GAANN grants have provided more than $3.4 million and have supported more than 30 students during the past 10 years. The Polymer Program’s success with GAANN funding reflects the program’s achievements in research and student support that has continued for the past 60 years.

Mu-Ping Nieh Named Director of IMS Polymer Program

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Dr. Mu-Ping Nieh
Dr. Mu-Ping Nieh

After three years as director of the IMS Polymer Program, Dr. Kelly Burke has stepped down to assume the role of Head of the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. Faculty members have elected Professor Mu-Ping Nieh as the new director of the IMS Polymer Program.

Professor Nieh’s first achievement as director was writing a successful Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) grant proposal. The Department of Education-backed grant will provide over $1 million to support domestic students over three years.  Additional goals include increasing student recruitment, creating new courses, and coordinating a polymer certificate program consisting of a series of short courses.

The program plans to create new polymer courses as an option for the science and technology requirement for undergraduate general education courses.  These courses will introduce students to polymer science, discuss the current plastic crisis, and analyze efforts to produce plastics that are environmentally friendly.

The goal of the planned polymer certificate program will be to provide advanced educational options for scientists and strengthen industrial ties. This task had been initiated in the past but was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Dr. Nieh will continue the project with a proposed start date of Fall 2025.

The IMS Polymer Program welcomes the new leadership of Professor Nieh.

Pragati Rout Wins Inaugural Boehringer Ingelheim Fellowship

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Ph.D. student Pragati Rout
Ph.D. Student Pragati Rout

Pragati Rout has won the first award in the newly-created Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. Fellowship.  The fellowship recognizes the early academic and research accomplishments of a chemistry student’s graduate studies. It awards $5,000 of support in the third summer of the student’s academic journey toward their doctorate degree, allowing the recipient to focus on their doctoral dissertation.

Pragati, a student in Dr. Gregory Sotzing’s group, received her M.S. degree from Berhampur University, Odisha, India.  Her research focuses on synthesis and characterization of API’s, monomers and oligomers and exploring their fluorescence properties, hydrogels, and optical brighteners. She is currently conducting cannabinoid research.

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, and the largest private one.

Tianjian Yang is 2024 Finalist for Eastman Chemical Student Award

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Tianjian Yang
Ph.D. student, Tianjian Yang, is a finalist for the Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science.

Tianjian Yang, a Ph.D. student in the IMS Polymer Program, has been selected as a finalist for the Eastman Chemical Student Award in Applied Polymer Science.  The award recognizes graduate researchers who demonstrate research excellence in both research and technical presentations.

Tianjian earned his M.S. degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a B.S. from Jinan University in China.  A student in Dr. Yao Lin’s group, his research interests include supramolecular polymerization and material properties of polypeptides. He is first author of several published research papers.

In August 2024, as part of the Eastman Chemical Award Symposium at the Fall 2024 ACS Meeting in Denver, Colorado, each finalists will give a presentation. Tianjian will present, “From Polypeptides to Biomimetic Materials: Harnessing Auto-Accelerated ROP-NCA for Tailored Mechanical Properties”.

To learn more about the award, visit:  https://pmsedivision.org/eastman-student-award/

Amy Pollock Receives Future Climate Venture Studio Fellowship

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Ph.D. Material Science student, Amy Pollock
Ph.D. Material Science student, Amy Pollock

UConn’s Future Climate Venture Studio has created a fellowship program designed to provide tangible experiences for students interested in learning in start-ups, marketing, commercialization, venture development, and research around climate change. Materials Science PhD. student, Amy Pollock, is one of three UConn graduate students to receive the fellowship. Fellows were selected for their excellent writing skills, science, technical, or business background, interest in the entrepreneurial process, interest in addressing climate change, and their ability to work independently and handle confidential material. The program partners each student with 2 start-up companies that need advice and/or assistance within a specific discipline. This enables the companies to have access to scientist working in their field while the students gain insight regarding the many challenges of creating and maintaining a startup company. The program is one more example of UConn’s support of entrepreneurship for both students as well as faculty.

Amy will be working with the following companies:

  • Peat (formally, “Afterlife”) – [eliminating food waste]: https://www.peatfarming.com/
  • Homeostasis – [Carbon removal & utilization]: https://www.homeostasis.earth/

Details regarding the Future Climate Venture Studio and the fellowship can be found at: https://www.futureclimateventurestudio.com/

Dr. Jaime A. Gómez (’89) Returns to UConn as 2023 Polymer Distinguished Alumni

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Dr. Jaime A. Gómez (center) with Polymer Program Director Dr. Kelly Burke (left) and Dr. Luyi Sun (right)
2023 Polymer Program Distinguished Alumni Dr. Jaime A. Gómez (center) with Polymer Program Director Dr. Kelly Burke (left) and Dr. Luyi Sun (right)

The polymer program honored Dr. Jaime A. Gómez as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni.

Dr. Gomez completed his Polymer Ph.D. at UConn in 1989 before beginning his career as a scientist and organizational leader.  He has had a successful career including both research and leadership roles.  On Friday, September 8, he opened the fall 2023 Polymer Seminar series with his talk titled, “Unexpected Challenges in the Life of a Polymer Scientist”. The talk included stories of research, product development, and exploring various real world challenges during his 30-year career as a polymer scientist. The theme of his presentation is that scientists build a foundation of knowledge and skills during their academic career, but face new and unexplored fields in the industrial setting.

Polymer Program Director Dr. Kelly Burke (l) presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Jaime A. Gómez
Polymer Program Director Dr. Kelly Burke (l) presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Jaime A. Gómez

Dr. Gómez received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Colombia, an MS in Organic Chemistry from Wichita State University, Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Connecticut. In addition to his scientific education, Dr. Gómez received an MBA from New York University (Stern School of Business) with concentration in International Business, Finance & Marketing. Dr. Gómez has 30-years of industry experience that includes plastics, specialty chemicals, and materials handling—industries where he has conducted basic and applied research, evaluation and acquisitions of technologies and companies, international business development, and corporate strategic planning. Gómez is currently President & CEO of Equitech, a company dedicated to the in-line measurement of chemical concentration, and color and film thickness for a myriad of industries.

Dr. Jaime A. Gómez presents at the Polymer Program Distinguished Alumni Seminar
Dr. Jaime A. Gómez presents at the Polymer Program Distinguished Alumni Seminar

Dr. Gómez has been an active member and leader of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) for the past 35 years. He joined the Society ofPlastics Engineers in 1987 while pursuing his Polymer Ph.D. here at the UConn, serving as the SPE’s Student Chapter President for two terms. He also served as a member of SPE’s Extrusion Division Board of Directors for six years and helped establish the Next Generation Advisory Board (NGAB). Dr. Gómez has been a member of SPE’s Board of Directors since 2013 and has served as SPE’s Secretary, Treasurer, VP Marketing & Communications, VP Events, and President-Elect. He received SPE’s President’s Cup in 2014 and the Excellence in Mentoring Award in 2017. He also invented and directed The Plastics Race™, an event that promotes networking and knowledge exchange between SPE members. Gómez was named President of SPE for the 2020-2021 term.