Dr. Richard J. Spontak is an Alumni Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at North Carolina State University. A member of honor societies including Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda Upsilon and Omicron Delta Kappa, Dr. Spontak received his B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering (with honors/high distinction) from the Pennsylvania State University in 1983 and was later awarded the Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1988. He then pursued post-doctoral research in (i) Materials Science & Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge (UK) and (ii) Condensed Matter Physics at the Institutt for Energiteknikk (Norway) before joining the Corporate Research Division of the Procter & Gamble Company in 1990. In 1992, he accepted a faculty position at North Carolina State University. His research interests relate to the phase behavior and morphology/property development of nanostructured polymers, polymer nanocomposites, electron microscopy and (supra)molecular organogels. His recent research focuses on smart materials, including electroactive polymers and shape-memory polymers. In recognition of his research endeavors, he is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including Alexander von Humboldt and Tewkesbury fellowships, the 2006 American Chemical Society (PMSE Division) Cooperative Research Award, the 2007 German Society for Electron Microscopy Ernst Ruska Prize, the 2008 American Chemical Society (Rubber Division) Chemistry of Thermoplastic Elastomers Award, and the 2011 Colwyn Medal from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Dr. Spontak has published over 250 research papers, and his work has been featured on the cover of 16 journals and 1 book. He is or has been on the editorial advisory board of 7 international journals.
