The Richard E. Tressler Lectures in Materials honors the very important work of Professor Richard E. Tressler who was head of Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering from 1991-2001. Read more
2024 Tressler Awards
3:05 to 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 in 111 Wartik Lab
“The long history and bright future of applied materials science”
Robert J. Kumpf, Ph.D.
Managing Director, Deloitte
Biographical Information
Robert J. Kumpf is a chemicals and specialty materials executive with over thirty years of experience across multiple geographies and functions with career themes in four areas: innovation leadership and innovation processes, corporate change initiatives, start-up company growth/funding, and open innovation. Most of his career was spent at Bayer MaterialScience, now Covestro, where he served as the vice-president of plastics technology, vice-president of future business in the Americas, and chief administrative officer (CAO). In the past ten years, Bob has served as the chief opperating officer (COO) at Plextronics, the chief technology officer (CTO) of Elevance Renewable Sciences, and has spent time in the increasingly important world of science-based, entrepreneurial start-up companies.
Throughout his career, Bob has remained engaged in the world of public/private/academic partnerships, having served on boards-of-directors of the Industrial Research Institute, the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, and the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center. He continues to serve as a member of the Penn State Department of Materials Scienceand Engineering External Advisory Board.
As a specialist executive, oil, gas, and chemicals, at Deloitte Consulting LLP, Bob serves clients in the chemicals and specialty materials sector and more broadly in manufacturing with a focus on strategy, innovation, and leading company transformations.
Dr. Kumpf received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Penn State and completed the Oxford University Business Economics Program.
3:05 to 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 in 111 Wartik Lab
“A Penn State polymer chemist’s role in the commercialization of green nanotechnology”
Jennifer Lalli, Ph.D.
President, NanoSonic
Alumna Jennifer Lalli, Ph.D., president at NanoSonic, Inc., will present the 2024 Richard E. Tressler Lecture at 3:05 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in 111 Wartik Laboratory on the Penn State University Park campus.
Lalli’s lecture is titled “A Penn State polymer chemist’s role in the commercialization of green nanotechnology,” will delve into her extensive career in polymer and materials science. She will discuss the commercialization of her team’s research, funded by various organizations including the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Navy, Customs and Board Protection, Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, NASA, Department of Energy, and U.S. Space Force.
NanoSonic is a private company specializing in advanced materials headquartered in Pembroke, Virginia, that focuses on the development and manufacture of novel materials and devices while offering research and development services to companies and organizations for prototyping and commercialization.
The lecture will highlight Lalli's journey from receiving her bachelor of science degree in chemistry at Penn State to earning her Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from Virginia Tech to her contributions to the development of nanomaterial products, including applications for Mars and green military composites.
Lalli will provide insights into topics such as ultra-low glass transition temperature, high-pressure durable composites for hydrogen storage and dispensing systems, and personnel protective equipment that defend against nerve agents, Otto fuel, COVID, and influenza.
She will feature how her education has influenced her at NanoSonic. Lalli will discuss the integration of her graduate work into her daily responsibilities and offer perspectives on the intersection of academia and industry.
Lalli will also touch upon work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of managing professional and personal life. As a self-published author of "Hunt & Gather: The Healing Powers of Whole Grains, Lean Meat, and Prayer," she will discuss her commitment to holistic well-being.
The Penn State community and the public are invited to attend this free informative lecture.
Past Tressler Awardees
2023: Walt Moorhead
2023: Titilayo “Titi” Shodiya, Ph.D.
2022: Patrick Yoder, M.S.
2022: Robert Petcavich, Ph.D.
2020: Melissa Hockstad, M.S.
2020: Lawrence Hancock, Ph.D.
2019: Maureen L. Mulvihill, Ph.D.
2019: Amit Das, Ph.D.
2017: Dawne Moffatt-Fairbanks, Ph.D.
2016: Tim Hsu
2016: S. Jill Glass
2015: Curtis Johnson
2015: Joseph Monkowski
2015: Darryl Butt, Ph.D.
2013: Delbert E. Day, Ph.D.
2013: David R. Clarke, Ph.D.
2012: Nancy J. McGinnis
2012: Yet-Ming Chiang
2011: Mildred S. Dresselhaus, Ph.D.
2011: L. Eric Cross, Ph.D.
2011: Donald W. Hamer
2010: Ed Kramer, Ph.D.
2010: Naomi J. Halas, Ph.D.
2010: Gerbrand Ceder, Ph.D.
2010: Joseph A. Miller