2026 Science & Technology Award Winners

Rubber Division, ACS annually honors the best of the best with the most prestigious awards in our industry – our Science & Technology Awards. The 2026 winners will accept these awards and be celebrated at a banquet sponsored by Alpha Technologies during our Global Polymer Summit in September. Congratulations to our 2026 award winners and thanks to our award sponsors!

Charles Goodyear Medal – Dr. Gregory McKenna
Dr. Gregory McKenna was named the 2026 Charles Goodyear Medalist. The most prestigious award given by Rubber Division, ACS is sponsored by HF GROUP and was established in 1941 to perpetuate the memory of Charles Goodyear as the discoverer of the vulcanization of rubber. It honors individuals for outstanding invention, innovation or development which has resulted in a significant change or contribution to the nature of the rubber industry.

Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award – Dr. Will Mars
Dr. Will Mars was selected for the 2026 Melvin Mooney Distinguished Technology Award, sponsored by Lion Elastomers. This award perpetuates the memory of Melvin Mooney, the developer of the Mooney Viscometer and other testing equipment, and honors individuals who have exhibited exceptional technical competency by making significant and repeated contributions to rubber science and technology.

George Stafford Whitby Award for Distinguished Teaching and Research – Dr. Rigoberto Advincula
Dr. Rigoberto Advincula was named the winner of the 2026 George Stafford Whitby Award for Distinguished Teaching and Research, sponsored by Cabot Corporation. This award honors teachers and academic scientists for distinguished, innovative and inspirational teaching and research in chemistry and polymer science. The award perpetuates the memory of George S. Whitby, head of the rubber laboratory at The University of Akron and for years the only one who taught rubber chemistry in the USA. It honors outstanding international teachers of chemistry and polymer science and recognizes innovative research.

Sparks-Thomas Award – Dr. Clément Robin 
Dr. Clément Robin was chosen for the 2026 Sparks-Thomas Award, sponsored by Endurica, LLC. This award perpetuates the memory of William J. Sparks and Robert M. Thomas, chemists who developed butyl rubber. It recognizes and encourages outstanding scientific contributions and innovations in the field of elastomers by younger scientists, technologists and engineers who are within 25 years of earning their undergraduate degree.

Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award – Dr. Timothy Lodge
Dr. Timothy Lodge was selected for the 2026 Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award, sponsored by Renkert Oil, LLC. This award recognizes the contributions of scientists in the field of thermoplastic elastomers. Particular emphasis is placed on innovations that have yielded significant new commercial or patentable materials.

Fernley H. Banbury Award – Dr. Gerard Nijman
Dr. Gerard Nijman is the winner of the 2026 Fernley H. Banbury Award, sponsored by HF GROUP. It perpetuates the memory of Fernley H. Banbury, the inventor and developer of the internal mixer that bears his name, and honors innovations in production equipment, instrumentation, control systems or improved processing technologies widely used in the manufacture of rubber or rubber-like articles of importance.

Sustainability in Elastomers Award – Dr. Rabindra Mukhopadhyay
Dr. Rabindra Mukhopadhyay is the winner of the 2026 Sustainability in Elastomers Award, sponsored by ACE Laboratories. This award honors significant contributions to the advancement, understanding, development or utilization of sustainable elastomers.