MIDLAND – Michigan Molecular Institute Research Scientist Patrick Smith was included in the 2013 class of American Chemical Society Fellows at a ceremony Monday in Indianapolis. The designation of ACS Fellow puts Smith, 63, in rarified air for an organization whose membership tops 163,000 globally; less than one percent are awarded the prestigious honor, according to Midland ACS Chapter Chair Wayde Konze, who nominated Smith.
?This award is very selective and highly competitive,? Konze said. ?These are awarded to scientists who have had extremely impactful careers, including several Nobel Laureates. Pat?s contributions to many programs at Dow Chemical, MMI and others have resulted in products being commercialized, and have helped to advance several areas of science in these organizations.
?He has also been an extremely gracious and purposeful mentor, enriching the career progressions of many other scientists in his career,? Konze added. ?This, coupled with his strong passion and leadership in the ACS, both locally and nationally, made him a clear candidate for this award.?
Smith followed a 30-plus year career at Dow with a stint at Archer Daniels Midland Company. He joined MMI in 2010 with an eye toward establishing a new initiative – the institute’s biobased materials division. Smith has been MMI?s lead scientist in its partnership with Micromidas, Inc., a west coast-based company that converts low-value municipal waste into higher-value chemical building blocks and plastics.
?It?s an honor to join the distinguished list of ACS Fellows,? Smith said. ?MMI is making real strides in this growing sector of polymer chemistry, and I?m proud to represent MMI in receiving this award.?
Among the other highlights in a career loaded with them, he authored the Sigma Xi Outstanding Research Publication for 1987; won the Midland Section ACS Award for Outstanding Achievement and Promotion of the Chemical Sciences in 1998; has served as Adjunct Professor at Central Michigan University since 1990; was awarded the Dow Chemical Analytical Sciences V. A. Stenger Award in 1984; and received the Dow Chemical Michigan Division Scientists Award in 1994. He has also co-edited two books on biobased materials.
Michigan Molecular Institute, founded in Midland, Mich. in 1971, is a non-profit organization dedicated to polymer research and education. MMI offers world-class research and development across many areas, including photonics, membranes, specialty coatings, delivery systems and sensors. Its core capabilities include polymer synthesis and design; polymer characterization; polymer science; materials science; polymer formulation and processing; heterogeneous catalysis; silicone chemistry; and biobased materials.
