The 10th Annual Materials Science and Engineering Distinguished Awards Gala at Cornell was brimming with community and research. During a reception and poster session held on May 9th at Willard Straight Hall, students presented their research to industry partners, faculty, and peers. After a formal dinner and remarks from Department Chair, Lara Estroff, awards were presented to students in six different categories.
2025 Materials Science and Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award
Rachel Dorin’13, received the 2025 Materials Science and Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award and delivered a keynote speech titled, “The MSE Business of a Cornell Spinout”.
Dorin, Cornell Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. alumna, is a materials scientist and entrepreneur working at the intersection of polymer science, membrane technology, and applied research. Her work has focused on the discovery and development of isoporous block copolymer membranes and their translation into applications for critical separations including biomanufacturing and semiconductor chip processing. She has contributed to more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and holds more than a dozen patents. In recognition of her efforts to move university-based research toward commercialization, she received the 2024 Bayh-Dole Coalition American Innovator Award. Rachel is the Founder and CEO of TeraPore Technologies, a company advancing next generation membrane solutions.
Students Recognized in Six Award Categories
In addition to the Distinguished Alumni Award, student awards were presented in six categories.
Student Award Recipients
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Outstanding Teaching Assistant
- Eric Jiahan Zhao
- Hongjin Du
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The Chris Ober Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering Masters Research Award
- Harsha Koganti (1st Place)
- George Padilla (2nd Place)
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The Chris Ober Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. Research Award
- Reilly Lynch (1st Place)
- Bilal Azhar (2nd Place)
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The Chris Ober Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering Master of Engineering Research Award
- Thor Oase
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The Chris Ober Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering Postdoctoral Research Award
- Christopher Petroff
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The Senior Thesis Award
- Tomas Kraay (1st Place)
- Lucy Flynn (2nd Place)
- Carina Lin (3rd Place)
View more photos from the 2025 Materials Science and Engineering Distinguished Awards Gala.