UH Doctoral Student Muhammad Arslan Honored with ACS POLY Travel Award

First UH Student to Receive the ACS POLY Travel Award Since Its Inception in 2005 Presents Research at National Meeting in San Diego

Muhammad Arslan, a doctoral student in the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Muhammad Arslan, a doctoral student in the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Muhammad Arslan, a doctoral student in the University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, was recently honored with the Spring 2025 POLY Graduate Student Travel Award, a competitive national recognition from the American Chemical Society Division of Polymer Chemistry (POLY). The award supported his attendance and presentation at the ACS Spring 2025 National Meeting, held March 23–27 in San Diego, California.

Muhammad Arslan with his award at POLY/PMSE Plenary & Awards Reception in San Diego, CA.
Muhammad Arslan with his award at POLY/PMSE Plenary & Awards Reception in San Diego, CA.

Arslan’s selection marks a historic achievement—he is the first University of Houston student to receive this award since its establishment in 2005.

The POLY Graduate Student Travel Award is designed to support top-performing graduate students studying polymer science by providing $750 to offset travel, registration, and accommodation costs for the ACS National Meeting. Funded by the POLY Industrial Advisory Board, the award recognizes both academic excellence and research promise.

Arslan (middle) receives his award from Laura Statton, Chair of the ACS POLY Division.
Arslan (middle) receives his award from Laura Statton, Chair of the ACS POLY Division.

“Being recognized with the ACS POLY Graduate Student Travel Award is a meaningful milestone in my doctoral journey,” Arslan said. “It was an honor to represent the University of Houston and share my research in polyolefin chemistry and catalyst design with leaders in polymer science at the national level. This recognition reinforces that my commitment to advancing tailored polyolefin plastics aligns with current priorities in plastic materials research.”

Arslan presented his research during a POLY-sponsored symposium and was recognized at the POLY/PMSE Awards Symposium held during the conference. The award supports outstanding graduate students in building professional networks and showcasing their work to an international audience of researchers and industry leaders.

“To receive the first Poly Travel Award for UH, is a great accomplishment,” said Eva Harth, Ph.D., professor, and director of the Welch Center of Excellence in Polymer Chemistry. “I am proud that Arslan's work could showcase that the polymer chemistry we are doing at UH is recognized nationally.”

For more information about the ACS POLY Graduate Student Travel Award, visit the ACS Division of Polymer Chemistry website.

- Kristoffer Smith, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics