WSMSN-2026

Dr. Richard J. Spontak is a Distinguished Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at North Carolina State University. He earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, followed by postdoctoral research in the UK and Norway. Before joining NC State in 1992, he worked at Procter & Gamble. Dr. Spontak leads the Macromolecular Materials & Morphology Group and has published over 300 journal articles, with research focusing on nanostructured polymers, soft materials, and advanced microscopy. His work has been cited over 14,000 times and featured on numerous journal covers. He is a fellow of APS, IOM3, and RSC, and a recipient of prestigious awards such as the ACS Cooperative Research Award and the Lars Onsager Medal. An acclaimed educator, he has received multiple teaching honors and actively promotes interdisciplinary education. He resides in Raleigh with his wife Josie and two children.