2026 Conference Program

2026 Welch Conference on Chemical Research
“Frontiers in Macromolecular Science”

The 2026 Welch Conference on Chemical Research explores the theme, “Frontiers in Macromolecular Science,” featuring speakers who are advancing polymer science by redefining how we fabricate, sense, heal, and recycle—laying the groundwork for a cleaner, smarter, more sustainable future. Speakers include a keynote address by Joseph M. DeSimone and the 2026 Welch Awardee Lecture by Robert S. Langer.

October 26-27, 2026 | Houston, TX & Livestream

Registration will open Summer 2026. Want to be notified when registration opens? Email conference@welch1.org to be added to the mailing list.

Monday, October 26, 2026

Conference Introduction & Welcome

8:30 AM

Introductory Remarks

Gina A. Luna, Chair of the Welch Foundation Board of Directors

Profile

8:35 AM

Conference Introduction

Geoffrey W. Coates, Cornell University, Program Chair

Profile

Session I - NATURE-INSPIRED MATERIALS

8:40 AM

Quentin Michaudel

Texas A&M University
Session Leader

8:50 AM

Dynamic Polymer Networks as a Route to Pluripotent Materials

Stuart Rowan, University of Chicago

9:35 AM

Skin-Inspired Polymer Electronics

Zhenan Bao, Stanford University

10:35 AM

Synthetic Strategies for Smart Protein Conjugates

Heather D. Maynard, University of California, Los Angeles

Session II - POLYMER SYNTHESIS & DESIGN INNOVATION

12:30 PM

Brooks A. Abel

University of California, Berkeley
Session Leader

12:40 PM

Monomers from Polymers

Athina Anastasaki, ETH Zurich

1:25 PM

Enabling Accelerated Polymer Synthesis

Craig Hawker, University of California, Santa Barbara

Keynote Speaker

2:30 PM

The Delicate Interplay Between Light, Interfaces, and Design to Scale 3D Printing

Joseph M. DeSimone, University of California, Santa Barbara

3:30 PM

Poster Session Happy Hour (Upstairs)

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Session III - ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

8:30 AM

Jessica R. Lamb

University of Minnesota
Session Leader

8:40 AM

Designer Macromolecules: From Combinatorial Synthesis to Organ-Targeted Therapeutics

Theresa M. Reineke, University of Minnesota

9:25 AM

Two-Dimensional Polymers and Polymerizations

William Dichtel, Northwestern University

10:25 AM

Development of Radical and Cationic Polymerizations and Their Application to Sustainable Materials

Brett P. Fors, Cornell University

2026 Welch Awardee Lecture

11:15 AM

"A Road Not Taken”: My Path from Chemical Engineering to Nanotechnology and Medicine

Dr. Robert S. Langer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

1:00 PM

Poster Winners Announced

Adam Kuspa, President, The Welch Foundation

Session IV - POLYMERS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

1:15 PM

Seunghyun Sim

University of California, Irvine
Session Leader

1:25 PM

Natural Product Feedstocks to Address Chemical Sustainability while Achieving Enhanced Chemical Complexity and Replacing Chemicals of Concern

Karen L. Wooley, Texas A&M University

2:25 PM

Different Approaches to Generate Stereodefined Polymers

Frank Leibfarth, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3:10 PM

Telechelic Polymers for Sustainable Polyolefins

Marc A. Hillmyer, University of Minnesota

3:55 PM

Closing

Geoffrey W. Coates, Cornell University, Program Chair