Two professors add to legacy of prestigious NSF CAREER award recipients

Dr. Yu Zhu and Dr. David Simmons, both assistant professors in the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron, have been selected as recipients of National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) awards for 2016.

The two junior faculty members were chosen because they, like the other CAREER Award recipients, “exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of research and education within the context of the mission of their organizations,” says the NSF.

Zhu, in polymer science, and Simmons, in polymer engineering, are the most recent recipients of these awards, which UA faculty have received since 1988. The CAREER awards, and earlier, the NSF Presidential Young Investigator awards, have provided UA professors with almost $10 million in research funding through the years. The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering has been home to half of UA’s 28 total recipients.

“The college is proud of the continued success of our early career faculty with their recognized excellence in research,” notes Dr. Eric Amis, dean of the college. “This is the third time to receive multiple CAREER awards in a single year, and we are aware that this is exceptional for our small College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering.”

 Awarded grant money to inspire students

The highly competitive awards will provide $538,679 to Zhu for his study of new types of conjugated polymers, and $475,000 to Simmons for his study of glass formation. The money not only supports research, but educational outreach to students.

“As a faculty member at The University of Akron, I believe the educational function is as important as research is in my career,” says Zhu. “With the support of the CAREER award, I will continue to dedicate time to the educational efforts covering students at all levels, from middle school to graduate school.”

The professors each plan to use funds to aid and inspire students in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Zhu will partner with the Akron Global Polymer Academy on campus to design lectures for middle school students and to provide summer lab internships for high school students, especially targeting women and minorities.

Simmons plans to expand a program that provides paid internships to Akron Public Schools’ high school students and coordinates degree programs for students in STEM fields.

Both professors are set to begin their five-year projects on Aug. 1, 2016.