10th Notre Dame-Purdue Symposium on Soft Matter & Polymers
November 15, 2025 - Purdue University
Since its inception in 2014, this joint meeting has fostered collaboration, scientific networking, and camaraderie between the faculty and students of the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University. In addition, the annual event offers a valuable and accessible training opportunity for students and postdocs to share their science with the regional Soft Matter & Polymers community.
Time: 8:30-5:30 EST
Date: Nov 15, 2025
Venue Information
Oral session: WALC 3087, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
Poster session: WALC B058, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
This year's symposium includes presentations by Notre Dame and Purdue faculty, postdocs, and graduate students on topics related to their research projects in soft matter and polymers, as well as current challenges and future opportunities. Students and postdocs will also discuss their research during the afternoon poster session and networking reception.
Schedule
|
Time |
Event |
Location |
|---|---|---|
|
8:30 – 9:00 |
Morning Refreshments, Check-in, and Networking |
WALC 3087 |
|
9:00 – 9:05 |
Opening Remarks |
WALC 3087 |
|
9:05 |
Session 1; Chair: Jianguo Mei, Purdue University, Chemistry |
WALC 3087 |
|
9:05 – 9:30 |
Kejie Zhao, Purdue University, Mechanical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
9:30 – 9:45 |
Feng Xie, University of Notre Dame, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
9:45 – 10:00 |
Sanket Samal, Purdue University, Chemistry |
WALC 3087 |
|
10:00 – 10:25 |
Matt Webber, University of Notre Dame, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
10:25 – 10:40 |
Short Coffee Break |
WALC 3rd floor |
|
10:40 |
Session 2; Chair: Matt Webber, University of Notre Dame, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
10:40 – 11:05 |
Jeffrey Youngblood, Purdue University, Materials Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
11:05 – 11:20 |
Alice Burchett, University of Notre Dame, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
11:20 – 11:35 |
Qilong Cheng, Purdue University, Mechanical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
11:35 – 12:00 |
Donny Hanjaya Putra, University of Notre Dame, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
12:00 – 1:00 |
Lunch and Networking |
WALC 3rd floor |
|
1:00 |
Session 3; Chair: Jon Wilker, Purdue University, Chemistry |
WALC 3087 |
|
1:00 – 1:50 |
Keynote: Paul V. Braun, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Materials Science & Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
1:50 – 2:05 |
Eric Munyaneza Nuwayo, Purdue University, Chemistry |
WALC 3087 |
|
2:05 – 2:30 |
Bill Phillip, University of Notre Dame, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
2:30 – 2:45 |
Short Coffee Break |
WALC 3rd floor |
|
2:45 |
Session 4; Chair: Yichun Wang, University of Notre Dame, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
2:45 – 3:00 |
Yuxuan Liao, University of Notre Dame, Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
3:00 – 3:25 |
Kelly Schultz, Purdue University, Chemical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
3:25 – 3:40 |
James Johnston, University of Notre Dame, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
3:40 – 3:55 |
Jayant Naga, Purdue University, Chemical Engineering |
WALC 3087 |
|
3:55 |
Session 5; Chair: Qi (Tony) Dong, Purdue University, Chemistry |
WALC B058 |
|
3:55 – 5:15 |
Poster Session and Networking Reception |
WALC B058 |
|
5:15 – 5:30 |
Poster Awards and Concluding Remarks |
WALC B058 |
|
6:30 |
Dinner (Faculties) |
TBD |
Speaker Information
Keynote speaker: Prof. Paul V. Braun
Faculty speakers:
- Bill Phillip, University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Donny Hanjaya Putra, University of Notre Dame, Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
- Matt Webber, University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Jeffrey Youngblood, Purdue University, School of Materials Engineering
- Kejie Zhao, Purdue University, Department of Materials Engineering
- Kelly Schultz, Purdue University, Department of Chemical Engineering
Student speakers:
- Feng Xie, University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Alice Burchett, University of Notre Dame, Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
- Yuxuan Liao, University of Notre Dame, Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
- James Johnston, University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Eric Munyaneza Nuwayo, Purdue University, Department of Chemistry
- Sanket Samal, Purdue University, Department of Chemistry
- Qilong Cheng, Purdue University, School of Mechanical Engineering
- Jayant Naga, Purdue University, School of Chemical Engineering
Call for Posters
In addition to the day’s technical sessions, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are invited to showcase their research results in an afternoon poster session, with awards given for the best posters. (Students or faculty will need to cover the cost of poster printing.) Poster presenters can note their intention to present at the registration link below to register both their attendance and poster.
Organizing committee
- Qi Dong, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Purdue University
- Jonathan Wilker, Professor of Chemistry, Purdue University
- Jianguo Mei, Richard and Judith Wien Professor of Chemistry, Purdue University
- Matthew Webber, Keating-Crawford Collegiate Professor of Engineering and Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame
- Yichun Wang, Keating-Crawford Collegiate Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Food and Refreshments
We will provide the following during the event:
- Breakfast to start the day – light, continental style.
- Morning snack break – assorted items (e.g., granola bars, fruit, maybe muffins).
- Lunch – catered, with options for dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian).
- Afternoon snack break – lighter fare to recharge for afternoon sessions.
- Coffee, tea, and light non-alcoholic beverages available throughout the day (especially morning & breaks).
Parking Information
Guests may use the Grant Street Parking Garage located at 120 Grant St, West Lafayette, IN. This garage is on Purdue’s campus, with frequent vehicle/foot traffic; allow extra time for walking in case of congestion. The garage has accessible parking. Please follow posted signs once inside the garage to find handicap‐accessible spots if needed. Rates will follow the standard Purdue campus parking rates; visitors should check posted signage or online resources for current rates.
Map and Walking Route from Garage to Venue (WALC)
WALC is located at 340 Centennial Mall Drive (corner of University Street & Centennial Mall). The main entrance is visible from Centennial Mall; follow pedestrian sidewalks. Estimated walk time is ~7–10 minutes depending on pace.
Thank you to our sponsors who make this event possible:
Purdue University College of Science
Purdue University College of Engineering
Purdue University James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry
Purdue University School of Materials Engineering
Purdue University Davidson School of Chemical Engineering
Notre Dame Research
Notre Dame College of Engineering
Notre Dame College of Science
Notre Dame Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Notre Dame Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Notre Dame Nanoscience and Technology
Notre Dame Energy
Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health 
