DOW Chemical Company Collaborates with UCSB

The new collaboration between UCSB’s Material Research Laboratory and DOW Chemical Company gives graduate students a rare opportunity to conduct advanced industrial research, said lab director Craig Hawker at a recent press conference.

DOW this month announced it is giving a $15 million grant to UCSB (the exact amount will depend on what projects are pursued) as well as supporting a fellowship program for graduate students in the Chemical Engineering department. Recently, the two departments were ranked number one and two, respectively, in the country by the National Research Council.

DOW’s Theresa Kotanchek said she believes the new partnership will not only benefit the students but also her company. “UCSB understands what it takes to [develop] breakthrough technologies in an industrial environment and, as a result, makes an outstanding economical partner to us,” she said.