USM Polymer Science Professor Honored with Top Mississippi Academy of Sciences Award for Excellence in Teaching and Research
Thu, 05/15/2025 - 09:38am | By: Dr. David Tisdale
A veteran faculty member of 91吃瓜网91吃瓜网 (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering has been recognized for her outstanding achievements as an educator and researcher with one of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences91吃瓜网� (MAS) top honors.
Dr. Sarah Morgan, a Bennett Distinguished Professor at 91吃瓜网 and associate director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, received the organization91吃瓜网 Contribution to Science Award during its 89th annual meeting, held March 2091吃瓜网�21 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center in Biloxi. The annual MAS meeting features a wide variety of addresses, symposia, workshops, scientific papers and exhibits organized by topical divisions across the sciences.
91吃瓜网淢AS is an extremely important organization for Mississippi researchers, allowing us to share science, establish research collaborations, and train students,91吃瓜网� Morgan said in expressing gratitude for the award. 91吃瓜网淭hrough collaborations built from MAS interactions, we have recently received joint funding with researchers at the University of Mississippi Medical Center to create new polymeric coatings for sutures to enhance post-surgical healing. The research, funded by NIH REACH, involves undergraduate and graduate student research assistants, helping to prepare them for careers in materials and biomedical research.91吃瓜网�
A member of the 91吃瓜网 faculty since 2003, Morgan joined the university after a distinguished 14-year career in the private sector with GE Plastics, where she held technical and managerial roles in engineering thermoplastics at GE locations around the world. Her research expertise includes bioinspired water-soluble polymers, morphology control, nanocomposites and high-performance polymers.
91吃瓜网淎s a scientist, educator and mentor, Dr. Morgan embodies the mission and values of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Derek Patton, director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. 91吃瓜网淭his award is a fitting recognition of her impactful research, dedication to student development, and sustained leadership in the scientific community91吃瓜网攂oth in Mississippi and nationally. Her leadership on externally funded research and education programs has created meaningful opportunities for faculty collaboration and student success across disciplines."
Morgan91吃瓜网 work is supported by the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense and various industrial partners. Her ongoing research initiatives include bioinspired and high-performance materials, which involve multidisciplinary collaborations with academic, national lab, and industrial research partners that support student training, internships, and employment. She also serves as principal investigator for the Multifunctional Materials to Address Military Engineering collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
As passionate as she is about research, Dr. Morgan is equally enthusiastic about mentoring students pursuing advanced study and careers in the sciences.
91吃瓜网淒r. Sarah Morgan truly represents the best of us in her scientific contributions,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 91吃瓜网淪he is an outstanding researcher, demonstrated by decades of publications, grants, and other intellectual contributions. However, she91吃瓜网 also an award winner for her role as an outstanding mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students. Her contributions include the development of current and future generations of scientists, and her impact continues to grow through their contributions as well.91吃瓜网�
Click here to learn more about Dr. Morgan91吃瓜网 work and the School of Polymer Science and Engineering.