1996 Herman Mark Award in Polymer Chemistry to McGrath
 
     Professor James E. McGrath will receive the Herman
Mark Award in Polymer Chemistry at the biennial meeting of
the Division of Polymer Chemistry, November 24-27, 1996.
The Award, sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company
Foundation and presented by the ACS, Division of Polymer
Chemistry, recognizes outstanding research and leadership in
polymer science.
     A native of New York, McGrath graduated from Siena
College in 1956, worked in cellulose fiber and film research at
ITT Rayonier, then conducted research on synthetic rubbers for
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company while earning a Master's
degree in Chemistry.  After receiving a Doctorate in Polymer
Science from the University of Akron in 1967, he joined Union
Carbide Corp. becoming a research scientist/group leader in
1974.  Much of his work concerned block copolymer synthesis
and characterization.  Professor McGrath co-authored "Block
Copolymers: Overview and Critical Survey" (1977) which
remains a major resource in this field even today.
     McGrath joined the Virginia Tech faculty in 1975, was
promoted to full professor in 1979, and was awarded the Ethyl
Chair in 1986.  The National Science Foundation awarded
Virginia Tech a Science and Technology Center for High
Performance Adhesives and Composites with Dr. McGrath as
its director in 1989.  In 1993, he was awarded the Outstanding
Achievement Award by the Society of Plastic Engineers'
Thermoplastics and Foam Division, and the University's Alumni
Award for Research Excellence.  In 1994 McGrath was elected
to the National Academy of Engineering.  McGrath also serves
on numerous advisory boards in industry and government,
including the National Materials Advisory Board of the National
Research Council.  He is co-author of more than 450 scientific
publications and has directed the Ph.D and Master's degrees of
more than 80 students.  In 1996, McGrath was named a
"University Distinguished Professor", the University's highest
honor.
     Dr. McGrath's recent research is directed toward the
synthesis and characterization of high performance matrix
polymers and structural adhesives, new composite matrix
polymers for possible use in aerospace such as the proposed
high-speed civil transport, new high-temperature polymer
dielectrics for microelectronic applications, and fire-resistant
polymers.