Innovation Day 2024

The Science History Institute and the Society of Chemical Industry America will present the 21st annual Innovation Day on September 9, 2024.

This hybrid event, open to members of SCI America, features in-person and online sessions. In-person sessions of Innovation Day will be held at the Science History Institute Conference Center in historic Old City Philadelphia.

Overview

The Innovation Day Steering Committee (made up of R&D staff of SCI’s member companies) has built an exciting agenda for this year’s meeting. We open with a poster session and networking, followed by the annual Schlinger Symposium with an address from the SCI 2024 Gordon E. Moore Medalist, Caleb Funk from DuPont. Next, panel experts will offer stimulating presentations and discussions on topics that explore this year’s themes:

  • Energy Storage and Advanced Mobility
  • Regulatory Needs Driving the Chemical Industry

Find directions and parking information here.

Please contact InnovationDay@sciencehistory.org with questions about Innovation Day.

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Schedule

Attire: Business/Business Casual

8:30–10:30am
In-Person
Check-in Opens (Lobby)
Coffee and continental breakfast until 9:45 a.m.

9–10am
Online

Virtual Poster Session (online attendees and all poster presenters)
9:15am
In-Person
Morning Programming

From Lab Bench to Leadership: Navigating Success in the Chemical Industry

Organized by Deidre Sandrock and Elizabeth Ross-Medgaarden 

This panel discussion features technology leaders from the chemical industry. They’ll share their career journeys, insights on navigating the industry, and the key skills and strategies that have propelled them to success. This session is designed to inspire and offer practical guidance to scientists at all levels who are looking to build rewarding careers within the chemical industry.
10:15–11:15am
In-Person
Poster Session (in-person attendees and presenters)
11:30am
In-Person
Innovation Day Luncheon
12:15pm
In-Person/Online

Welcome


David A. Cole, President and CEO, Science History Institute
Roger Kearns, President and CEO, NOVA Chemicals, and Chair, SCI America

The Warren G. Schlinger Symposium


Caleb Funk, DuPont, 2024 SCI Gordon E. Moore Medalist
20-minute talk followed by Q&A

1–1:45pm
In-Person/Online
Break and Poster Networking
1:45–3:15pm
In-Person/Online
Breakout Panels: Session 1

Energy Storage and Advanced Mobility, Track 1

Organized by Bob Butterick, Dow; Robert Harding, W. R. Grace; Robert Li, ExxonMobil; Dave Slinkman, Quaker Houghton; and Chris Wren, Hexion

Energy Storage and Advanced Mobility, Track 2

Organized by Bob Butterick, Dow; Robert Harding, W. R. Grace; Robert Li, ExxonMobil; Dave Slinkman, Quaker Houghton; and Chris Wren, Hexion
3:15–3:30pmBreak; Museum closes at 3:30pm
3:30–5:00pm
In-Person/Online
Breakout Panels: Session 2

Regulatory Needs Driving the Chemical Industry

Organized by Jeff Carbeck, Eastman; Michael Demko, Dupont; Felicia Parks, Hallstar;and Mitch Refvik, Chevron Phillips Chemical
5–6pm
In-Person
Cocktails and Networking

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Awards

Caleb Funk smiling, wearing black blazer, green dress shirt, tie
Caleb Funk.

SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal

The Society of Chemical Industry, America Group (SCI America), established the SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal to recognize early-career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to quality of life. By highlighting extraordinary individuals and their work, SCI America aims to promote public understanding of research and development in modern chemical industries, enhance the interest of students in applied chemistry by providing role models, and emphasize the role of creative research in the global economy.

The 2024 Moore Medal will be awarded to Caleb Funk.

Max McDaniel, smiling, beard, wearing suit and tie
Max McDaniel.

SCI Perkin Medal

The SCI Perkin Medal was established to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of mauvene. Today the medal is widely acknowledged as the highest honor in American industrial chemistry. William Henry Perkin was a founding member of SCI, and this medal was first presented in New York to Perkin himself.

The 2024 Perkin Medal will be awarded to Max McDaniel.

Sponsors

Premier Sponsor

The Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation

Presenting Sponsor

Chemours
ExxonMobil Product Solutions

Endorsing Sponsor

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP

Sustaining Sponsors

Arkema
DuPont
Hexion, Inc.
Olin
Quaker Houghton
Univar Solutions

Contributing Sponsors

BASF
COIM USA
Hallstar
NOVA Chemicals
Trecora

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Steering Committee

Robert Butterick
Northeast Dow Center Site Leader
Dow Inc.

Jeff Carbeck
Vice President of Corporate Innovation
Eastman Chemical Company

Michael Demko
Technology Leader, Tedlar
DuPont

Robert Harding
Senior Technology Advisor
W. R. Grace & Company

Robert Li
Novel Products Research Manager
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering

Peter Loggenberg
Executive Vice President of Specialty Polymers and Corporate Strategy
Trecora

Arthur W. Martin
Vice President R&D North America
Arkema Inc.

Felicia Parks
Technical Director, North America
Hallstar

Mitchell D. Refvik
Senior Manager Polyolefin Catalysis
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

Elizabeth I. Ross-Medgaarden
Sr. Manager, Acetyls and Basic & Fundamental R&D
Houston Technology Center
LyondellBasell

Deidre L. Sandrock
Director of Sustainability and Innovation
Milliken & Company

Dave Slinkman
Senior Vice President, R&D, and Chief Technology Officer
Quaker Houghton

Chris Wren
North America OSB R&D Leader
Hexion

                                                         

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Cohosted with the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) since 2004, Innovation Day features the Warren G. Schlinger Symposium and the awarding of the SCI Gordon E. Moore Medal. For more information contact innovationday@sciencehistory.org.

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