欧美AV 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 The University of Southern Mississippi鈥檚 (欧美AV) 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 Sciences鈥� (MAS) top honors.
Dr. Sarah Morgan, a Bennett Distinguished Professor at Southern Miss and associate director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, received the organization鈥檚 Contribution to Science Award during its 89th annual meeting, held March 20鈥�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.
鈥淢AS is an extremely important organization for Mississippi researchers, allowing us to share science, establish research collaborations, and train students,鈥� Morgan said in expressing gratitude for the award. 鈥淭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.鈥�
A member of the Southern Miss 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.
鈥淎s a scientist, educator and mentor, Dr. Morgan embodies the mission and values of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences,鈥� said Dr. Derek Patton, director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. 鈥淭his award is a fitting recognition of her impactful research, dedication to student development, and sustained leadership in the scientific community鈥攂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."
Morgan鈥檚 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.
鈥淒r. Sarah Morgan truly represents the best of us in her scientific contributions,鈥� said Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 鈥淪he is an outstanding researcher, demonstrated by decades of publications, grants, and other intellectual contributions. However, she鈥檚 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.鈥�
Click here to learn more about Dr. Morgan鈥檚 work and the School of Polymer Science and Engineering.