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Dr. Stephen Cheng Elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Akron, Ohio, Feb. 8, 2008 - Dr. Stephen Cheng, dean of The University of Akron's College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NEA), a global group of 2,421 senior professionals in business, academia and government who are among the world's most accomplished engineers.

The NEA citation states Cheng's election is "For the development of materials for liquid crystal displays and the elucidation of structure-property relationships in polymeric materials." Cheng's research focuses on polymers, liquid crystals, surfactants and micelles.

"Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer," NEA says. "Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice or education."

Cheng, also professor of polymer science at the university, is well known on the Akron campus, having joined UA in 1987 as assistant professor of polymer science. He was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and full professor in 1995. He was named the Trustees Professor of Polymer Science in 1998 and the Robert C. Musson Professor of Polymer Science in 2001.

"This election recognizes The University of Akron and its commitment to excellence in science and engineering," says Cheng, who has written more than 300 journal articles and drawn more than $18 million in research funding.

"Dr. Cheng and his work are known and respected worldwide," says UA President Dr. Luis M. Proenza. "We are pleased and proud at his election to this prestigious society. It reflects his work as a talented researcher and teacher."

Cheng earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from East China Normal University, a master's in polymer engineering from Donghua University in Shanghai and a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

He has received a Presidential Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation and the White House, a John H. Dillon Medal from the Division of Polymer Physics of the American Physical Society, a Cooperative Research Award from the Division of Polymer Materials Science and Engineering of the American Chemical Society, and a TA-Instrument Award from the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry.

He has been named a society fellow by the American Physical Society and American Association for the Advancement of Science. Cheng is senior editor of Polymer and is on the editorial or advisory boards of nine other international journals.

Cheng is only the second dean of UA's world-renowned polymer college. He succeeded Dr. Frank N. Kelley in June, 2007.

Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership in service to the United States. It operates under the congressional act of incorporation that established the National Academy of Sciences, signed in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. The NAE is a member of the National Academies, which includes the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council.

The NEA Web site is http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/default.aspx.

The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. It is the only public university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Serving 24,000 students, the university offers approximately 300 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu.

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