Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, today announced that Prof. Jian Ping Gong, Professor of the Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Japan has been awarded the DSM Materials Sciences Award 2014 in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the advancement of double-network hydrogels and materials sciences.
The DSM Materials Sciences Award is part of DSM’s Bright Science Awards Program, and is presented in cooperation with IUPAC, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. DSM bestows the Materials Sciences award every two years in recognition of outstanding scientific work by an established scientist that has significantly contributed to the advancement of the materials sciences field.
An international judging committee, chaired by Dr. Marcel Wubbolts, Chief Technology Officer of DSM, selected Professor Gong from among the candidates proposed via a public call for nominations. Professor Gong received the award – which carries a cash prize of EUR 50,000 – from Dr. Wubbolts at the IUPAC World Polymer Congress 2014 in Chiang Mai, Thailand on July 8.
Highly original research
Professor Gong’s work on the mechanical properties of extremely tough double-network gels is some of the most original materials sciences research that has taken place over the past years, and has generated significant interest and recognition in the international scientific community. In addition, her innovative work on the friction of hydrogels – which was driven by artificial cartilage applications – belongs to the best work ever done in the field.
Commenting on this year’s award recipient in the context of DSM’s wider ambitions, Dr. Wubbolts said: “It is the work of innovative scientists like Jian Ping Gong that enables trailblazing advances in science. Professor Gong’s work is key in addressing global health and wellness challenges in a world with an aging population and rising global healthcare costs. Her research also provides tools and inspiration to others in materials sciences for generating new possibilities for even wider applications. It is these kind of scientific advances that help make it possible for DSM to sustainably fulfill its mission of creating brighter lives for people today and generations to come.”
Science career
Prof. Gong obtained her Bachelor’s degree in physics from Zhejiang University, China, and her Master’s degree in polymer science from Ibaraki University, Japan. Her Doctor of Engineering degree was acquired studying high Tc superconducting materials at Tokyo Institute of Technology. In 1993, Prof. Gong became a faculty member at Hokkaido University, where she also received her Doctor of Science for studying polyelectrolyte hydrogels – she was appointed full professor at the university in 2003.
Aside from the DSM Materials Sciences Award, Prof. Gong has received various other prestigious scientific accolades, including the Chemical Society of Japan’s Award for Creative Work in 2011. Professor Gong holds 41 patents or patent applications, and has published 291 papers, with in total more than 6500 citations and an h-index of 39. She also serves on the editorial and advisory boards of Biointerphases, Asia Materials, Soft Matter, Macromolecules, and Polymer. Her reaction on receiving the DSM Materials Sciences award: “I’m very honored to receive this award. It’s good to see that companies like DSM are continuing to invest in science, and recognize the importance of pioneering research in materials science that leads to sustainable products or applications that enhance people’s quality of life.”
About DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders simultaneously. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 24,500 employees deliver annual net sales of around €10 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
DSM Innovation Center
Communications
Lieke de Jong-Tops
Tel. +31 (0)46 476 3771
E-mail: lieke.jong-tops-de@dsm.com
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