Celebrating Rubber Science Innovators of 2026

Science & Technology Awards

The winners will be celebrated at a special banquet during the Global Polymer Summit in September, sponsored by Alpha Technologies.

The Charles Goodyear Medal

• Recipient: Dr. Gregory McKenna
• Sponsor: HF GROUP
• Honors: Significant contributions to the rubber industry through invention, innovation, or development.

The Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award

• Recipient: Dr. Will Mars
• Sponsor: Lion Elastomers
• Honors: Repeated and significant contributions to rubber science and technology.

The George Stafford Whitby Award for Distinguished Teaching and Research

• Recipient: Dr. Rigoberto Advincula
• Sponsor: Cabot Corporation
• Honors: Outstanding teachers and academic scientists in chemistry and polymer science.

The Sparks-Thomas Award

• Recipient: Dr. Clément Robin
• Sponsor: Endurica, LLC
• Honors: Outstanding scientific contributions and innovations in the field of elastomers by younger scientists, technologists, and engineers.

The Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award

• Recipient: Dr. Timothy Lodge
• Sponsor: Renkert Oil, LLC
• Honors: Significant contributions to the field of thermoplastic elastomers, with a particular emphasis on innovations that have led to new commercial or patentable materials.

The Fernley H. Banbury Award

• Recipient: Dr. Gerard Nijman
• Sponsor: HF GROUP
• Honors: Innovations in production equipment, instrumentation, control systems, or improved processing technologies widely used in the manufacture of rubber or rubber-like articles.

These awards not only honor the achievements of these individuals but also inspire future generations of scientists and technologists to continue pushing the boundaries of rubber science and technology.