Stephanie Messer '12

Stephanie Messer
Hometown: Oak Grove, MN
B.S., Chemistry, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.
Minor in Biology and Theatre
Master's Student in Polymer Science at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Present research is focused on the design and development of new test methods to predict and determine the corrosion protection of coated substrates, mainly AA 2024-T3. Work is currently focused on molecular probes to detect environmental changes within a coated system that may lead to damaging corrosion if left unmanaged. The goal of her research is to implement new, high throughput testing protocols for novel coating systems as well as maintenance programs for the Department of Defense.

Dr. Pirro Cippi '11

Pirri Cipi
Hometown: Tirana, Albania
Education: B.S., Microbiology, Mississippi University for Women

Degree Track: Doctoral student, Polymer Science and Engineering, Emphasis in Technology Commercialization

Research focus is to develop a fundamental understanding of enzyme activity behavior in polymer films and coatings with embedded biocatalyst and functional components. This research will serve as an experimental and theoretical framework to determine how polymer variables affect rates of in situ biocatalyzed reactions. Advancements will lead to novel compositions of materials with switchable bulk properties. Research Interests: Design of polymer compositions with autonomic response to biochemical, mechanical, and electromagnetic stimuli for biomedical and electronic applications.

AWARDS:
American Coatings Show Best Paper Award, 2008
"Invent Your Future" Competition Finalist, Noetic Technologies Inc. 2006 & 2007

Dr. James Whitemore IV '11

James Henry Whittemore IV
Hometown: Austin, TX
B.S., Biochemistry, Texas State University.
Doctoral Student in Polymer Science at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Present research is focused on controlling the active layer morphology of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. OPV devices have the potential to be highly competitive with their inorganic counterparts by offering ease of processing, use of inexpensive and non-toxic materials, lightness, and flexibility. OPV cells, however, have very low power conversion efficiencies as a result of short exciton diffusion lengths and reduces charge transport. James' main focus is in obtaining core-shell nanoparticles that can be used in the active layer of organic photovoltaic devices. These particles will impart predefined domain s pacing resulting in three-dimensional nanoscale control and higher power conversion efficiencies.

AWARDS:
IGERT Fellow
Noetic Technologies Invent Your Future Competition FInalist
3rd Place Mississippi Technology Alliance Business Plan Competition

Dr. Brandon C. Achord '11

Ph.D. Polymer Science and Engineering
Synthesis and Characterization of Donor:Acceptor Block Copolymer for Organic Photovoltaic Applications

AWARDS:
Robin M. Hearin Graduate Fellow Award, 2005 - 2010.
Southern Bioproducts and Renewable Energy Conference Student Poster Award, 2009.

Achord, Brandon C.; Rawlins, James W. "Evidence of Ni(0) Complex Diffusion during Grignard Metathesis Polymerization of 2,5-Dibromo-3-hexylthiophene" Macromolecules, 2009, 42(22), 8634-8639

Storey, Robson F.; Scheuer, Adam D.; Achord, Brandon C. "Poly(acrylate-b-styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene-b-acrylate) block copolymers via carbocationic and atom transfer radical polymerizations" Journal of Macromolecular Science, Part A: Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2006, 43(10), 1493-1512

Storey, Robson F.; Scheuer, Adam D.; Achord, Brandon C. "Amphiphilic poly(acrylic acid-b-styrene-b-isobutylene-b -styrene-b-acrylic acid) pentablock copolymers from a combination of quasiliving carbocationic and atom transfer radical polymerization" Polymer, 2005, 46(7), 2141-2152

Christine "Chrissy" Caroselli '10

M.S. Sports and High Performance Materials
Understanding Mechanical Properties for Thermoplastic Glassy Polymer Matrix Materials

PUBLICATIONS:

Caroselli, C. D.; Pramanik, M.; Achord, B. A.; Rawlins, J. W. “Effects of Molecular Weight on the Mechanical Properties of Novel Epoxy Thermoplastics” High Performance Materials. Submitted

POSTERS:

Piland, Scott G.; Morris, David M.; Gould, Trenton E.; Martin, Kelly; Sumrall, Adam; Dixon, Jenna; Kucera, Lauren; Caroselli, Christine. "Mouthguard Does Not Negatively Influence VO2, Ventillation Volume, and Tidal Volume" Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2008), 40, (5), S379

Gould, Trenton E.; Piland, Scott G.; Morris, David M.; Kucera, Lauren; Caroselli, Christine. "Effect of Mandibular Orthopedic Repositioning Devices on Human Performance Factors" Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2008), 40, (5), S379

Dr. Jeremy O. Swanson '10

Ph.D. Polymer Science and Engineering
Investigation of Network Architecture Development and Properties in Thermoset Matrices

Current Employment:
3M Renewable Energy Division, Composite Materials Engineer, Wind Energy Focus

AWARDS:
National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow, 2005 - 2007

Ericka Johnson, M.S.
Biobased Resins for Wrinkle Resistant Textiles and Determination of Structure-Property Relationships – Thames & Rawlins

Micah Stephen Black
Reactivity of Vegetable Oil Macromonomer Cis-Unsaturation in Thiol-ene, Cationic, and Emulsion Polymerizations - Rawlins

Charles Todd Williams
Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Vegetable Oil Macromonomers as Auto-Oxidative Crosslinkers in Latexes - Thames

Carolina Quintero Ochoa, Vegetable Oil Macromonomer Kinetics and Loci during Emulsion Polymerization – Thames & Rawlins