9th National Graduate Research Polymer Conference
June 6-9, 2010
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Call for Abstracts

Dear Students, Mentors, and prospective industrial/government Employers,

The long-awaited end to the Great Recession will be celebrated in Chapel Hill on the beautiful campus of the University of North Carolina. The National Graduate Research Polymer Conference (NGRPC) will enable students to meet one another, potential post-doc mentors, and employers. And, it will be an opportunity to talk about your research findings in an encouraging and stimulating environment. Below are more details about the 9th NGRPC. Online registration will be open from April 1st to April 30th. Early registration is encouraged. Just send an email to 2010ngprc@gmail.com and we’ll reserve a place for you and send more details. We’re making every effort possible to minimize costs so that you will be able join us!

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I welcome you to the UNC Chapel Hill to the 9th NGRPC!

Wei You
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
UNC Chapel Hill
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, 9th NGRPC

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Overview

From June 6 to June 9 2010, UNC Chapel Hill will host the 9th National Graduate Research Polymer Conference, the largest meeting for polymer graduate students in the nation. We anticipate more than 200 students, professors, and researchers from across the country, as well as another 50 participants from the Triangle area will travel to UNC Chapel Hill for four days to share their research results and exchange ideas, and to nurture friendship. UNC is the oldest public institution of higher learning in the U.S., and currently boasts one of the strongest polymer/materials graduate programs in the country. The “southern part of heaven” as Chapel Hill is known, provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for scientific and social interaction, and we are proud to host this important national meeting.

Vision

Graduate students in polymer disciplines need to be poised as the Great Recession recedes and the country’s industries face up to the challenging interdisciplinary science problems facing all of us. The goal of the NGRPC is to foster connections between academe and industry via a focused networking opportunity.

Highlights of Program
Plenary speakers include:
Joe DeSimone (UNC Chapel Hill)
Jan Genzer (NC State)
Marc Hillmyer (U of Minnesota)

· Career panel discussion on career options for polymer/materials students
· Career fair is being organized

· Topics include:
Bio related materials
Energy related materials
Photonics and electronics
Surfaces
Nanostructured materials
Characterization/kinetics/theory

Registration
The 2010 NGRPC registration fees, which are estimated to be $150 for students, will include lodging plus breakfast and lunch each day of the conference. A limited number of travel awards will also be available.

We invite you to email us ASAP -- 2010ngprc@gmail.com -- and secure your participation in this unique conference centered on nurturing the careers of polymer/materials graduate students!