KU chemistry professor receives NSF CAREER Award for research on synthetic polymers

LAWRENCE — An assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Kansas who is researching ways to develop new reactions that lead to unique synthetic polymers is the winner of a five-year grant totaling more than $687,000 from the National Science Foundation.

Aaron Teator has been chosen for a CAREER Award, which is the NSF’s most prestigious award for early-career faculty, supporting emerging scientists who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.

Synthetic polymers are human-made materials composed of long chains of repeating molecular units called monomers. A wide range of popular products are composed of synthetic polymers, including Styrofoam, nylon, Teflon, plastics and much more. The Teator research group at KU focuses on developing new, functional materials that have the potential to impact a variety of critical areas, including more robust, decomposable, and recyclable plastics and rubbers.

“We need new polymer structures that can lead to better materials for packaging, energy storage and sustainability,” Teator said.

Since the NSF first began awarding CAREER prizes in 1995, KU’s Lawrence faculty has included 71 recipients: 28 in the School of Engineering, two in the School of Pharmacy, and 41 in schools and departments across the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

“Dr. Teator’s recognition as a top emerging scientist by the NSF not only speaks highly of the groundbreaking work his lab is conducting but also demonstrates the first-rate research being done across our College,” said Arash Mafi, executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at KU.

A part of the award allocates funds for Teator to hire both an undergraduate and graduate researcher in his lab, which he said will enable him to train the next generation of polymer scientists.

Teator is the third KU researcher to receive a CAREER Award this year. Earlier, Manar Shoshani, assistant professor of chemistry, and Hongyang Sun, assistant professor of engineering, received the honor. 

Teator said he is not surprised that the university is home to so many top emerging scientists.

“KU has an exceptional research environment. The support and facilities we have here allow us to do world-class research at the cutting edge of science,” Teator said.