Yossef Elabd | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Dr. Yossef Elabd | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Texas A&M University, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Academic and Professional Background

Prof. Dr. Yossef Elabd is a distinguished researcher and academic leader currently serving as the Vice Chancellor for Research at The Texas A&M University System. The Texas A&M University System comprises 11 universities and 8 state agencies, collectively managing externally funded research expenditures of $1.5 billion annually. In his role, Dr. Elabd provides strategic research leadership and oversees multiple offices and initiatives, including Texas A&M Innovation, National Laboratories Office, Bush Combat Development Complex, Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute, Texas A&M Fort Worth, Research Security Office, Research Compliance Office, Research Administration Office, Research Development Office, and the Chancellor’s Research Initiative.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Elabd held several key administrative positions at Texas A&M University, including Interim Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering, Interim Director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Associate Dean for Research of Engineering, and Associate Department Head of Chemical Engineering. His leadership has played a crucial role in advancing research and innovation within the university system.

🔬 Research and Teaching Contributions

In addition to his administrative roles, Dr. Elabd is a Professor and the Axalta Coating Systems Chair II in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University. His research primarily focuses on electrochemical energy storage and conversion, including batteries, capacitors, and fuel cells, as well as materials and polymer science. Over the years, he has been recognized for his pioneering contributions to chemical engineering and materials science.

Dr. Elabd is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has held prestigious international positions such as Senior Fellow at the Instituto di Studi Avanzati, Università di Bologna, and Scholar in Residence at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). His excellence in research has been acknowledged through multiple awards, including the NSF CAREER Award, the ARO Young Investigator Award, and the DuPont Science and Engineering Award.

As an educator, Dr. Elabd has taught chemical engineering courses at all academic levels, from undergraduate freshmen to graduate students, ensuring the next generation of engineers and researchers receive world-class training.

📚 Educational Background

Dr. Elabd holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He further honed his research skills as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

🌍 Impact and Legacy

With an illustrious career spanning academic leadership, groundbreaking research, and excellence in teaching, Dr. Yossef Elabd continues to drive innovation in electrochemical energy and materials science. His leadership at The Texas A&M University System has strengthened research capabilities and fostered cutting-edge advancements in engineering and technology.

📖Notable Publications

Nanofiber/Nanoparticle Electrodes for Ultra‐low Platinum Fuel Cells via Simultaneous Foam Electrospinning and Electrospraying

Authors: Dohyun Kim, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Fuel Cells

Year: 2025-04

Poly(ionic liquid) ABC triblock and ABCBA pentablock terpolymer electrolytes for lithium metal batteries

Authors: Dohyun Kim, Rui Sun, Roger Tocchetto, Carl Willis, Bert Krutzer, Frederick L. Beyer, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: RSC Applied Polymers

Year: 2024

Star poly(ionic liquid)s: Chain architecture‐property relationships

Authors: Kevin D. Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Journal of Polymer Science

Year: 2024-08

Highly Frustrated Poly(ionic liquid) ABC Triblock Terpolymers with Exceptionally High Morphology Factors

Authors: Patrick M. Lathrop, Rui Sun, Frederick L. Beyer, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Macromolecules

Year: 2024-04-23

Synthesis of 3-, 4-, and 6-arm star poly(ionic liquid)s

Authors: Kevin Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Polymer

Year: 2023-06

Dehumidification via polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis with sulfonated pentablock terpolymer

Authors: Yifei Yang, Roger Tocchetto, Kevin Nixon, Rui Sun, Yossef A. Elabd

Journal: Journal of Membrane Science

Year: 2022-09

 

Aurica Farcas | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Aurica Farcas | Polymer Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni, Romania

👨‍🎓Profiles

🏛️ Early Academic Pursuits

Aurica Farcas embarked on her academic journey with a strong foundation in polymer chemistry. Her pursuit of excellence led to a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry in 1998, completed with honors at the prestigious "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (ICMPP), Iasi, Romania. This early phase of her career laid the groundwork for her expertise in organic and polymer chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and molecular recognition.

👩‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Farcas has dedicated her career to advancing polymer and organic chemistry, focusing on innovative research that bridges fundamental science and industrial applications. As a researcher at ICMPP, she has played a pivotal role in the development of novel organic materials, specializing in encapsulated π-conjugated monomers, oligomers, and polymers. Her work also extends to surface characterization, electrochemistry, and the study of organic semiconductors' optical, electrical, and doping properties.

🧪 Contributions and Research Focus

Her research is centered on the control and tailoring of intermolecular interactions in organic semiconductor materials, particularly through molecular encapsulation. These advancements hold promise for the next generation of electronic materials, opening doors to new applications in optoelectronics, flexible electronics, and molecular recognition-based technologies.

Dr. Farcas has contributed significantly to:
✅ The synthesis and characterization of novel organic and polymeric materials.
✅ Development of supramolecular assemblies for enhanced electronic properties.
✅ Exploration of encapsulation techniques to improve material stability and efficiency.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With a research career spanning over two decades, Dr. Farcas has secured more than 40 national and international research grants, a testament to her scientific impact and leadership. Her work has led to 21 laboratory technologies, including three industrial applications, demonstrating her commitment to translating fundamental research into real-world solutions.

Her research findings have shaped contemporary understanding of organic semiconductor materials, influencing advancements in organic electronics and molecular recognition systems.

📖 Academic Contributions and Citations

Dr. Farcas has an extensive publication record, showcasing her dedication to disseminating scientific knowledge. Her academic contributions include:
📚 2 authored books & 6 book chapters
📝 80+ papers published in ISI-indexed journals
📄 40+ articles in non-ISI journals
🎤 21 invited lectures at national and international scientific conferences

Her impact in the scientific community is further reflected in her Web of Science ResearcherID: C-2512-2011.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Dr. Farcas possesses expertise in various cutting-edge techniques and methodologies, including:
🔬 Polymer synthesis and characterization techniques.
⚛️ Supramolecular chemistry and molecular encapsulation.
📊 Surface characterization and electrochemical analysis.
💡 Optical and electronic property evaluation of organic semiconductors.

These technical proficiencies have been instrumental in developing new organic materials with tailored properties for advanced applications.

🎓 Teaching and Mentorship

Beyond research, Dr. Farcas has been actively involved in mentoring young scientists and researchers, guiding them through complex chemical and materials science concepts. Her contributions to education and knowledge transfer have played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of researchers in polymer and organic chemistry.

🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a seasoned researcher, Dr. Farcas continues to push the boundaries of material science. Her future contributions are expected to:
✨ Drive innovations in organic electronic materials.
✨ Expand the practical applications of molecular encapsulation techniques.
✨ Contribute to the development of more sustainable and efficient polymer-based technologies.

📖Notable Publications

  • A thiophene-based bisazomethine and its inclusion complex with permethylated β-cyclodextrin: Exploring structural characteristics and computational chemistry models

    • Authors: A.M. Resmerita, Ana Maria; C. Cojocaru, Corneliu; M.D. Dǎmǎceanu, Mariana Dana; A.E. El Haitami, Alae E.; A. Farcaş, Aurica
    • Journal: Dyes and Pigments
    • Year: 2025

  • Aromatic Co-Polyazomethine Polyrotaxane with Enhanced Solubility Applied as a Hole Carrier in a p-n Heterojunction Diode

    • Authors: C. Ursu, Cristian; A.M. Resmerita, Ana Maria; R.I. Tigoianu, Radu Ionut; A. Farcaş, Aurica
    • Journal: ACS Applied Polymer Materials
    • Year: 2024

  • Composite materials based on slide-ring polyrotaxane structures for optoelectronics

    • Authors: A.M. Resmerita, Ana Maria; M. Asandulesa, Mihai; A. Farcaş, Aurica
    • Journal: Journal of Polymer Science
    • Year: 2024

  • Thermal Transitions and Structural Characteristics of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/cucurbit[7]uril) Polypseudorotaxane and Polyrotaxane Thin Films

    • Authors: B. Hajduk, Barbara; P. Jarka, Pawel; H. Bednarski, H.; P. Kumari, Pallavi; A. Farcaş, Aurica
    • Journal: Materials
    • Year: 2024

  • Synthesis, Properties and Adsorption Kinetic Study of New Cross-Linked Composite Materials Based on Polyethylene Glycol Polyrotaxane and Polyisoprene/Semi-Rotaxane

    • Authors: A.M. Resmerita, Ana Maria; A. Bargan, Alexandra; C. Cojocaru, Corneliu; A. Farcaş, Aurica
    • Journal: Materials
    • Year: 2023

  • Novel Insight into the Photophysical Properties and 2D Supramolecular Organization of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/Permodified Cyclodextrins Polyrotaxanes at the Air–Water Interface

    • Authors: A.E. El Haitami, Alae E.; A.M. Resmerita, Ana Maria; E.L. Ursu, Elena Laura; S. Cantin, Sophie; A. Farcaş, Aurica
    • Journal: Materials
    • Year: 2023

  • The straightforward approach of tuning the photoluminescence and electrical properties of encapsulated PEDOT end-capped by pyrene

    • Authors: A. Farcaş, Aurica; M. Damoc, Madalin; M. Asandulesa, Mihai; R.I. Tigoianu, Radu Ionut; E.L. Ursu, Elena Laura
    • Journal: Journal of Molecular Liquids
    • Year: 2023