91吃瓜网 Polymer Science Alumna Named Rising Research Star by National Publication
Thu, 07/10/2025 - 09:43am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
Dr. Katrina 91吃瓜网淜at91吃瓜网� Knauer, a 2016 graduate of 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网 (USM) doctoral program in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, has been named one of Chemical and Engineering News91吃瓜网� (C&EN) 91吃瓜网淭alented 12,91吃瓜网� a national recognition honoring early-career scientists who are making a real-world impact through chemistry.
Knauer, who now serves as chief technology officer for the Department of Energy91吃瓜网 National Renewable Energy Laboratory91吃瓜网 BOTTLE鈩� (Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment) Consortium, says her passion for sustainable materials traces back to childhood91吃瓜网攁nd her family dog named Penny.
As a young girl growing up in Florida, Knauer became concerned when Penny fell ill. She suspected a pesticide her mother was using might be the cause and began researching safer alternatives. Through her middle school science fair project, she found that instant grits offered a safer and more effective remedy to fire ants, bringing relief to Penny and earning Knauer a spot at state and national competitions.
91吃瓜网淭hat was a defining moment for me,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淚 realized the power of the scientific method and how solving real problems can make people pay attention. From there, my passion for environmentalism and sustainability only grew.91吃瓜网�
That curiosity eventually led Knauer to Florida State University, where she studied chemical engineering and became fascinated with polymer chemistry.
Knauer said she chose to pursue her doctorate at 91吃瓜网 for two reasons: the strength of its polymer science program and her summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) with faculty mentor Dr. Sarah Morgan, executive associate director and professor in the 91吃瓜网 School of Polymer Science and Engineering.
91吃瓜网淚 believed earning a Ph.D. in polymer science would give me the credibility I needed to convince the world we can make plastics better,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淎nd I absolutely loved my summer at 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网攖he experience, the department, the people.91吃瓜网�
At 91吃瓜网, Knauer thrived in both research and leadership. She was inducted into the University91吃瓜网 Graduate Student Hall of Fame, won the Graduate School91吃瓜网 3-Minute Thesis competition (placed third in the regional 3MT competition), and won the American Chemical Society Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering Division Graduate Student Award, as well as the Society of Plastics Engineers best paper award. She also mentored undergraduate researchers and helped raise sustainability awareness on campus.
91吃瓜网淲e wanted to show students that living more sustainably doesn91吃瓜网檛 have to be expensive or complicated,91吃瓜网� she said of her involvement with the campus Sustainability Advocates group. 91吃瓜网淚t was so rewarding to see others get excited about making choices that are better for the planet.91吃瓜网�
Knauer credits much of her professional success to the rigorous and supportive environment at 91吃瓜网, particularly the mentorship of Dr. Morgan, whom she said gave her every opportunity to succeed.
91吃瓜网淪he was tough on me, but in the best way,91吃瓜网� Knauer said. 91吃瓜网淔rom my very first year, she had me presenting to companies, pitching projects, and going to conferences. Most importantly, she taught me how to communicate science in a way that anyone could understand and how to carry myself in a male-dominated field.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Morgan praised her former student as a great role model for young women in STEM and an ideal ambassador for the University and its School of Polymer Science and Engineering.
91吃瓜网淜at was an outstanding student in our graduate program, doing impactful research in sustainable polymer materials,91吃瓜网� Morgan said. 91吃瓜网淲e91吃瓜网檙e so proud of her accomplishments and the recognition she91吃瓜网 received and look forward to what the future holds for her work in sustainability innovation.91吃瓜网�
Knauer said another thing she deeply appreciates from her time as a student at Southern Miss was how often she had to 91吃瓜网減resent in front of her peers.91吃瓜网� She said that while it felt intimidating at the time, that training gave her the communication skills that have shaped so much of her post-grad success.
91吃瓜网淚91吃瓜网檝e met students from other universities who simply didn91吃瓜网檛 get that kind of preparation. That91吃瓜网 why I continue to hire students from 91吃瓜网 today,91吃瓜网� she said, noting Levi Hamernik, a recent graduate who has joined her team at BOTTLE as a post-doc, and 91吃瓜网渋s totally crushing it.91吃瓜网�
Reflecting on the 91吃瓜网淭alented 1291吃瓜网� honor, Knauer expressed surprise and gratitude.
91吃瓜网淚 didn91吃瓜网檛 think my work would qualify for this kind of recognition. And that91吃瓜网 not to downplay the impact of what my team does91吃瓜网搃t91吃瓜网 just not always the 91吃瓜网榝lashiest91吃瓜网� science,91吃瓜网� she said. 91吃瓜网淏ut after the shock wore off, I felt joy and deep gratitude.91吃瓜网�
C&EN selected the 2025 cohort of 12 honorees from 370 nominees, praising their contributions to recycling, sustainable agriculture and environmental chemistry.