Research Areas: Dr. Sarah Morgan joined The University in November of 2002 after a fourteen year career in industrial R&D in engineering thermoplastics. She was employed from 1989 until joining Southern Miss at GE Plastics, where she held various R&D and management roles at GE locations around the world. Most recently she was Global Technology Manager for NORYL™ Resins and Global Sourcing Quality Leader at GEP headquarters, where she received Master Black Belt Six Sigma certification. Dr. Morgan’s extensive experience in product and process R&D and management includes engineering thermoplastics and blends (including polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polyetherimide, polybutylene terephthalate, ABS, ASA), reactive extrusion, polymer processing and rheology, fillers and nanocomposites, conductive composites, flame retardants, stabilizers, colorants and polymer characterization.

Dr. Morgan’s current research interests are in the area of high performance materials, with specific focus on tribological, rheological and mechanical performance, including nanoengineered materials, high performance polymers, hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposites, stimuli-responsive polymer surfaces and thin films, and nanomechanical and nanotribological characterization. She is active in industrial and education outreach, and serves as Education Director for the NSF MRSEC, Director for the RET Site for Polymer Engineering Research and Workforce Development and Director for the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center.

Representative Programs: