Oleg Davydovich

Sandia National Laboratory



Statement: I would first like to thank the POLY Division for nominating me for the position of Vice-Chair. After attending the ACS-POLY Strategic Planning Meeting in 2023, I was immediately interested in ways I could contribute, volunteer, and serve the division. Since then I have been actively involved with the Membership Committee and currently support the Member-At-Large as Committee Chair. We continue to focus on ways to increase overall membership and make POLY membership more meaningful across the entire ACS community. As part of the membership committee, I have helped start a pilot mentorship program between students, professors, government works and industry. Thus, as a Vice-Chair my goal would be to foster a vibrant and inclusive community that bridges the gap between POLY members across government, academia, and industry. During the past several years I have worked closely with the POLY Division leadership team, attending executive committee meetings, business meetings, and strategic planning meetings. These meetings provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities and opportunities associated within this leadership position. 

Biography: Oleg Davydovich is a senior staff member at the Sandia National Laboratories. After earning a B.S. in Chemistry from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, he pursued a Ph.D. in Chemistry at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, mentored by Dr. Jeffrey Moore. In 2022, he joined Sandia National Laboratories as a postdoctoral candidate where he is currently a principal investigator on projects related to materials for high-throughput impact mitigation, energy efficient polymer manufacturing and new modalities for polymer degradation. Oleg began his service with the POLY division by becoming a membership subcommittee chair in 2023. He was previously the social chair for the Sandia postdoctoral development association since 2022 and held numerous leadership positions during his graduate and undergraduate studies.

Tomonori Saito

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Statement: I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for Vice Chair of the Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY). I have been a member of POLY for 20 years since graduate school, and I have witnessed how greatly POLY has benefited members like me. Past several years, I have served as a POLY webinar committee (as a chair in 2023-2025) and organized various POLY symposia at ACS national meetings as well as leading POLY for ACS Convergent Chemistry Community (Sustainable Polymers). My leadership vision as Vice Chair is to be a proactive facilitator for POLY. I envision myself to assist the Chair and operation of the Executive Committee, as well as encourage members to be involved with POLY activities. I would like to continue excellent activities by POLY such as cutting-edge programming at the meetings, POLY workshops, POLY webinars etc. I would also like to further enhance collaboration with the other ACS divisions and organizations beyond ACS (international polymer societies, other professional societies). I plan to create more opportunities to reach members and non-members (i.e. potential future members), who cannot regularly attend the ACS national meetings. When I co-organized or moderated POLY webinars, I witnessed we had more than 500 listeners tuned into POLY webinars. I hope to continue such success of outreaching in webinars as well as international workshops/conferences, while I would also like to enhance some interactive activities for POLY members such as web-based career panel, focus topic discussion etc. I would also like to help with enhanced engagement from student chapters, so that students will further benefit from POLY activities. I am excited for the opportunity to serve POLY and its membership.  



Biography: Tomonori Saito is a distinguished R&D staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and a joint faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He obtained B.S. (2001) and M.S. (2003) from Waseda University (Japan), and received Ph.D. (2008) in Organic Polymer Chemistry from Virginia Tech. After conducting a postdoc at Penn State (2008-2010) and ORNL (2010-2012), he has been a staff member at ORNL since 2012. His current research at ORNL includes polymer upcycling, autonomous chemistry, dynamic polymers, polymer electrolytes, fiber composites, thermal insulation materials, membrane separation etc. He has published more than 170 articles, 20 patents issued, won six R&D 100 and one FLC award, as well as received the inventor of the year (2023) and distinguished inventor (2024) by Battelle.

Jia Niu

Boston College



Statement: I am honored to be a candidate for Treasurer of POLY. As a member of the polymer community, I have greatly benefited from the scientific excellence, collegiality, and professional opportunities that POLY provides. Through many years of active membership, I have developed a deep appreciation for the role POLY plays in advancing our field. I am eager to give back through service to POLY and you the members.

I currently serve as Treasurer of the Chinese-American Chemistry and Chemical Biology Professors Association (CAPA), where I oversee the organization's finances, including banking, budgeting, and financial reporting in compliance with state and federal regulations. This experience has strengthened my commitment to transparent financial management and long-term planning. My ACS service includes serving as Member-at-Large of the ACS Division of Carbohydrate Chemistry and Chemical Glycobiology (CARB) from 2023 to 2025, where I organized three international symposia at ACS National Meetings and Pacifichem featuring advances in glycopolymers and polysaccharides that intersect polymer chemistry.

If elected, I will bring a collaborative, disciplined, and forward-looking approach to this role. I believe effective financial stewardship goes beyond maintaining a balanced budget; it also enables strategic investments that strengthen the Division and increase its value to members. I will work closely with the Executive Committee to ensure POLY remains financially strong such that initiatives including interdisciplinary conference programming, awards, education, and professional development are sustainably supported.

It would be a great privilege to serve you as the Treasurer of POLY, and I respectfully ask for your support.



Biography: Dr. Jia Niu is Associate Professor of Chemistry at Boston College. He received his B.S. (2005) and M.S. (2008) from Tsinghua University, his Ph.D. (2014) from Harvard University (advisor: David R. Liu), and completed postdoctoral training at UC Santa Barbara with Craig Hawker and Tom Soh. He joined the Boston College faculty in 2017 and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2023. His research focuses on precision polysaccharide synthesis via chemical polymerization, catalytic methods for processive and stereocontrolled polymerization, and directed evolution of functional nucleic acids. His honors include the CAPA Distinguished Faculty Award (2026) and Distinguished Junior Faculty Award (2020), CARB David Y. Gin New Investigator Award (2024), Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2023), PMSE Young Investigator Award (2021), NSF CAREER Award (2020), NIH Director's New Innovator Award (2019), and Beckman Young Investigator Award (2019).

Ying Yang

University of Nevada, Reno

Statement: I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for Treasurer for the ACS POLY Division. Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with the POLY leadership team as Chair of the Regional Meetings Committee and the organizer of the POLY/PMSE Student Social at the ACS national meetings. Through these roles, I have seen firsthand the dedication of the volunteers in the division to strengthening the community, and the importance of financial support in these endeavors. For example, the POLY/PMSE Student Social provides students with a welcoming opportunity for peer networking at the large ACS national meetings. This longstanding tradition depends on continued financial support from both divisions and sponsorships secured through efforts of dedicated volunteers. Likewise, through the regional meetings committee, we take the initiative to encourage symposium organizers to develop activities that engage attendees at every career stage. Funding support can really enhance these experiences and support students' travel to regional conferences. If elected as the Treasurer, I will work closely with the POLY leadership team to ensure that the division's resources are managed responsibly and transparently with the goal of maximizing the value provided to the members. I will listen carefully to the needs of each committee, support informed decision-making, and identify areas that can strengthen the division's fiscal position. It will be an honor to serve the POLY Division as Treasurer, and I hope to earn your support. 



Biography: Ying Yang is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Reno. She received her B.S. degree in chemistry from Nankai University in China and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Clemson University where she also completed her postdoctoral research. She began her independent career in 2019 at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she has established research focuses on dynamic polymer systems, entropy-driven ring-chain equilibrium, and the stress-mitigating materials. Her work has been recognized by the NSF CAREER Award and University of Nevada Reno's Foundation Early Career Innovator Award. In addition to being an active volunteer for POLY, she currently serves as chair of the ACS Sierra Nevada Local Section, where she works to bring impactful events for members and students. 

Johan Foster

University of British Columbia



Statement: I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for Councilor of ACS POLY. POLY has been an important professional home for me for more than 15 years, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving a Division that has played a meaningful role in building community and advancing polymer science across academia, industry, and government.

My service to POLY has included serving as Awards Chair and as an Alternate Councilor, as well as organizing more than a dozen POLY symposia at ACS National Meetings throughout the years, and organizing the POLY workshop Next Generation Smart Materials. Through these roles, I have seen first-hand how POLY creates value for its members: by building high-quality technical programming, recognizing excellence, creating leadership opportunities, and bringing together scientists across career stages and sectors. I have also been active in broader scientific leadership through the co-founding of Science in the Savannah, an international conference in Africa, designed to build new scientific connections across continents.

As Councilor, I would work to ensure that POLY continues to have a strong and active voice within ACS. I would advocate for programming that reflects the breadth and future of polymer science. I would also support initiatives that strengthen membership, expand student and early-career engagement, increase industry participation, and broaden international connections. POLY is strongest when it is both scientifically excellent and deeply welcoming. If elected, I will bring energy, experience, and a collaborative spirit to the Councilor role. I would be proud to help represent POLY within ACS, and continue building a Division that provides exceptional value to its members and leadership opportunities for the next generation of polymer scientists.

Biography: Johan is faculty at the University of British Columbia and previously held an Industrial Research Chair in Advanced Bioproducts. Johan held prior positions at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA and at the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Fribourg, CH. His research focuses on bio-based polymers and materials, cellulose, sustainable composites, porous materials, water purification, PFAS treatment, and advanced interfaces. He has published over 140 articles, 9 patents, and has helped launch multiple research-driven startups based on water purification, energy materials, and chemical detection technologies. He was named an ACS POLY Fellow in 2024. Beyond ACS, he has held leadership roles in TAPPI ARM, including Chair of the Division (2023-26).

Kathryn Uhrich

University of California, Riverside

Statement: It has been a privilege and an honor to represent the POLY community as your councilor.

When first elected, my goals as a POLY councilor were to advance polymer chemistry by focusing on inclusive excellence and rethinking national meeting platforms, building on lessons from the COVID years. I worked to engage POLY members from academia, industry, and government across career stages as meeting organizers, speakers, award winners, and volunteers in activities that showcase POLY. As a POLY representative on the ACS Meetings & Exhibitions Committee, I also helped evaluate new platforms, including the not-so-beloved “pods,” for effective national meetings.

Recently, my peer councilors elected me to the ACS Nominations & Elections Committee, where I work to ensure POLY members are considered and supported for elected positions. The committee oversees nominations and elections for ACS-wide leadership positions, including ACS President and International Directors on the ACS Board of Directors. This experience has given me insight into how future ACS leaders are selected and strengthened my commitment to advancing candidates from diverse career stages and professional backgrounds.

If reelected as your POLY councilor, I will continue to pursue inclusive excellence and to ensure POLY representation across ACS. Also, I will foster communication strategies across social media platforms to highlight POLY accomplishments to our membership and broader community. Finally, I will strategically align POLY and ACS-wide programs—for example, connecting ACS Career Consultants with POLY’s mentorship programming. Through coordination and collaboration, we can amplify support for POLY members. As a researcher, educator, advocate, and mentor, I thank you for your support!

Biography: Dr. Kathryn Uhrich is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), where she served as Dean of the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Previously, she served as Dean of Mathematical and Physical Sciences at Rutgers University while maintaining a research program funded by NIH and NSF. Widely recognized as an innovator in polymer research, she designs bioactive, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymers. Dr. Uhrich has received more than 80 U.S. and international patents, and her work has launched several start-up companies. Her research in polymer chemistry and biomaterials has trained nearly 200 scientists and generated more than 200 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Uhrich is a Fellow of POLY, the American Chemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Controlled Release Society, and the National Academy of Inventors.

Robert Lambeth

DEVCOM Army Research Office



Statement: I am thankful to be nominated as a candidate for Alternate Councilor in the Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY).  It is a lively community of people and ideas that I am grateful to be a part of. I initially got involved with POLY through programming where I organized the 1^st Polymers for Defense Applications Symposium in 2018. The program committee was very welcoming and helpful in connecting with me with the right people to build out the technical program. It went on to be a great success, and it has become a regular part of the program with symposia in 2019, 2023, and 2025. This gave me a deep appreciation of how the leadership team support the community and its members. More recently, I became involved with webinars team where I initially served as Vice-Chair from 2024-2025 and recently took over as Chair. This has been a great and exciting opportunity as we have worked as a team to brainstorm different topical ideas and recruit speakers. We have covered topics ranging from Polymer Nanocomposites to Flow Chemistry in Polymer Science which have reached a broad audience often exceeding 400 people from 60+ plus countries, generating 200-300 new POLY leads. As an Alternate Councilor, my goal is to work closely with the Executive Committee to advocate for new initiatives to expand membership and increase the value proposition while serving the community any way I can. I thank you in advance for your consideration of my nomination.

Biography: Dr. Robert Lambeth is currently the Program Manager for Polymer Chemistry at the Army Research Office. He manages a broad research portfolio that supports basic, foundational research devoted to discovering new polymerization methodologies and uncovering fundamental structure-property relationships in hierarchically structured materials. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the University of Illinois (2008) and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota (2002).  He has organized numerous symposia in POLY and PMSE and is currently Chair of the Webinars Committee in POLY.

Colleen Scott

University of Mississippi

Statement: Dr. Scott has been an active member of the ACS POLY Division for many years. She previously served as an Alternate Councilor, representing the division at an ACS Council meeting when an elected Councilor was unable to attend. She regularly participates in ACS National Meetings and supports numerous POLY activities, including service at the POLY Help Desk. As Volunteer Coordinator, appointed by a previous POLY President, she organizes volunteers for National Meetings to ensure the smooth operation of division events. She also serves on the Membership Committee and works with the Member-at-Large to promote member engagement, recruitment, and retention.

Through her involvement with the POLY Executive Committee, Dr. Scott has developed lasting relationships with members across the division and remains committed to its continued success. She would be honored to serve again alongside the POLY Councilors, advancing the division's mission through scientific excellence, member engagement, and outreach. She is dedicated to developing meaningful programs that strengthen the diverse community and support the professional growth of POLY members at every career stage.

Biography: Colleen Scott is a Professor of Chemistry at Mississippi State University. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Auburn University and her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. After completing a teaching and research postdoctoral fellowship at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, she joined its faculty in 2010 before moving to Mississippi State University in 2015.

Dr. Scott's research focuses on the design and synthesis of organic and polymeric materials for sustainable plastics, organic optoelectronic devices, and molecular imaging. Her research has been recognized with numerous honors, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, the Mississippi State University College of Arts and Sciences Research Award, the Mississippi State University Mid-Career Research Award, the TechConnect 2022 Innovation Award, and the 2026 Bayh–Dole Coalition Faces of American Innovation Award for her pioneering work on near-infrared II (NIR-II) dyes for biological imaging and optical devices.