The PPG Foundation Donates $44,000 to Support the Swanson School of Engineering

PITTSBURGH (March 27, 2018) … The PPG Foundation donated $44,000 to the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering in support of its graduate programs. The gift will provide funding for two research fellowships and four travel awards.

“PPG, and the PPG Foundation, are committed to supporting the development of the next generation of chemists and engineers, who will create tomorrow’s innovative technologies,” said Mike Makowski, PPG senior research associate. “Our graduate fellowships are just one way we are pleased to recognize outstanding students who are engaged in research that is aligned with PPG’s strategic vision.”

“The PPG Foundation supports an array of programs and initiatives, including graduate student fellowships, sponsorships for symposia and conferences, scholarships, mentorship programs and other initiatives,” said Sue Sloan, PPG Foundation Director.

An internal selection committee reviewed the applications and selected students from across five different Swanson School departments. This year’s recipients of the PPG Graduate Fellowship and PPG Graduate Travel Award include:

Fellowship Awards ($20K)
Zhongmou Chao, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering student in Dr. Susan Fullerton’s lab.
Title: “Polymer coating with reconfigurable optical properties”

Nathalia Aquino de Carvalho, Civil and Environmental Engineering student in Dr. Leanne Gilbertson’s lab.
Title: “The Role of Nitrogen in Rational Design of Sustainable Antimicrobial Carbon Nanomaterials”

Travel Awards ($4K)
Sajad Haghanifar, Industrial Engineering student in Dr. Paul Leu’s lab.
Title: “Ultrahigh Transparency, Ultrahigh Haze Nanograss Glass with Fluid-Induced Switchable Haze”

Amir Mostafaei, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science student in Dr. Markus Chmielus’s lab.
Title: “Binder jet 3D printing of structural, biocompatible and functional materials”.

Erica Pliner, Bioengineering student in Dr. Kurt Beschorner’ s lab.
Title: “Discussion of Interventions to Improve Safety of PPG Employees and Customers”

Lisa Stabryla, Civil and Environmental Engineering student in Dr. Leanne Gilbertson’s lab.
Title: “Leveraging Nanomaterial Design for Next Generation Antimicrobial and Antifouling Coatings”

About the PPG Foundation

PPG and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $10.5 million in 2017, supporting hundreds of community organizations across 29 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today’s skilled workforce and develop tomorrow’s innovators in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at www.ppgcommunities.com.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

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