Dr. Mark Soucek, Sundar L. Aggarwal Endowed Professor in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, has been named interim director of the school, effective July 1.
Dr. Mark Soucek
“As interim director, I want to create a space where researchers can become the best in the world in their area of polymer science or polymer engineering,“ says Soucek. “For our students, I would like for them to become future leaders in industry and to apply their expertise to make polymers more sustainable. We recently launched an undergraduate degree program, and my hope is that our undergrads make science and engineering a lifelong pursuit.“
Soucek has been with the University since 2001. His research is focused on environmentally sustainable coatings and he has served as the interim assistant director for the past year. Soucek earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Austin.
“We would like to thank Dr. Soucek for stepping up to the interim director’s position in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering and look forward to his leadership and contributions to the college,“ says Dr. Craig Menzemer, dean of the College of Engineering and Polymer Science. “It is important that we maintain the synergy between programs and build on the program strengths, and Mark will certainly help us achieve our goals.“
Dr. Tianbo Liu, A. Schulman Professor in the school, and previous interim director, is returning to his teaching and research at UA as a faculty member in the school. The college is grateful to Dr. Liu and his service.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.