Special Joint Educational Symposium Event

50th Anniversary of Lehigh University Polymer Science & Engineering Department and Mid Atlantic Rubber and Plastics Group (MARPG) 2026 Educational Symposium

Please mark your calendars for our 2026 Fall Technical Symposium October 21 at Lehigh University’s Lacocca Hall which will include a student poster session.

Register Now:  https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/yxdrqp6

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 2026 | 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Doors Open at 8:30 am. Presentations begin at 9:00 am

Where: Lehigh University, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr, Bethlehem, PA, 18015

Cost: (in person) $80.00 per person MARPG Members, non-Members $85.00

Cost: (Remote-connection) $10.00 per person ACS/Rubber Division/MARPG members, non-Members $15.00 per person.

Agenda

Special Event: 50th Anniversary of Lehigh University Polymer Science & Engineering Department and 2026 Mid Atlantic Rubber and Plastics Group (MARPG) Joint Symposium.

When:  Tuesday, October 21, 2026 | 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

   Presentations begin at 9:00 am. Doors open at 8:30 am.

Where: Lehigh University, Iacocca Hall, 111 Research Dr, Bethlehem, PA 18015

8:30 – 9:00 AM | Arrival, Light Breakfast, Registration, and Networking

• Check-in and casual networking over coffee and catered light breakfast/snack and coffee

9:00 – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks

• Welcome by the Lehigh President Joseph Helble
• Raymond Pearson – Brief history and importance of the program’s 50-year milestone
• Introduction to MARPG – Joe Martin Chairperson, Evan Silo Vice-Chairperson

9:30 – 12:00 PM | Symposium – Morning Sessions

• 9:30 – 10:10 AM (PSE Keynote morning session): Mohamed El-Aasser, Lehigh University, Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering – “Reflections on the history, key milestones, and future directions of polymer science and engineering”
• 10:10 – 10:50 AM: Zach Zacharia, Lehigh University, Director of Center for Supply Chain Research at College of Business – “Follow The Molecule – How Today’s Supply Chain is Impacting the Elastomer and Plastics Industry”
• 10:50 – 11:30 MA: Pat Carroll, Greene Tweed – “Analytical Tools for Troubleshooting Elastomer Issues”
• 11:30 – 11:45 AM: Recognition of the Contributions of Emeritus Members to MARPG
• 11:45 – 12:00: “MARPG Corporate Member Spotlights” This firm 2-3 minute single slide presentations are open to all current MARPG Corporate member to highlight their company and products.  

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking – Catered lunch 

• 12:40 PM – Provost Nathan Urban: afternoon session opening remarks followed by PSE alumni and current students highlights video

1:00 – 3:30 PM | Symposium – Afternoon Sessions

• 1:00 – 1:40 PM (PSE Keynote afternoon session): John Rogers, Northwestern University,  Louis Simpson and Kimberly Querrey Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Neurological Surgery (and by courtesy Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry and Dermatology) and Director, Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics – “Polymers for Skin-Integrated Medical Sensors”
• 1:40 – 2:20 PM: Jason Poulton, ARDL – “Failure Analysis”
• 2:20 – 3:00 PM: Christian Sims, Syensqo, Customer Technical Development Engineer Transportation – North America: “Redefining Possibilities: The Strategic Role of Ultrapolymers in the Engineering Materials Landscape”
• 3:00 – 3:40 PM: Bridgette Budhlall, UMass Lowell, Chair of the Plastics Engineering Department: “How an interdisciplinary degree in polymer science & engineering influenced my career in industry and academia: an introspective 25 years later”

3:40 – 3:45 PM – closing remarks

All attendees are welcome to celebrate:

4:00 – 5:00 PM | Retirement Celebration & Farewell Reception for Professor Raymond Pearson

• Speeches (PSE alum)/toasts for the retiree (colleagues, students, friends)
• Light refreshments, photos, mingling

Need help registering?

No paypal account is needed, just look for the BLACK credit card button on the last page of registration.