About PiNO
Ohio is the heart of the polymer industry: home to 2,800+ companies and over $49 billion in annual shipments. Alongside this thriving industry, the region’s universities lead research and education in polymer science and engineering.
The Polymer Initiative of Northeast Ohio (PiNO) exists to bring these worlds of academia and industry together. Our one-day conference connects students, researchers, and professionals through networking sessions, a judged poster competition, and an industry job fair. The conference is a place that creates real pathways from the lab to the workplace.
Join us to build connections, share ideas, and shape the future of polymers in Ohio!
150+
PARTICIPANTS
Each year, several emerging researchers from universities across the region join PiNO to highlight their work in polymer science and its intersections with engineering, chemistry, materials, machine learning, and biomedical innovation. Together, they bring ideas that shape the next generation of polymer research.
17+
COMPANIES
PiNO is made possible through the continued support of our industry sponsors and partners. Your involvement not only strengthens the bridge between academia and industry but also provides the next generation of scientists and engineers with invaluable opportunities for mentorship, networking, and professional growth.
Where Passion Meets Organization
PiNO is organized by a dedicated group of graduate students from Case Western Reserve University representing the departments of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering. Through our collective effort, we aim to strengthen connections between academia and industry while inspiring the next generation of polymer research.
Previous Sponsors
Tentative Agenda
ONE FREE DRINK TICKET AND FOOD PROVIDED
Last Year's Keynote Speakers
Gary Dandreaux, PhD
Founder, President, and Principal Consultant of Polaris Chemical Consulting LLC
Gary Dandreaux, Ph.D., is the founder, president, and principal consultant of Polaris Chemical Consulting LLC, which serves the chemicals and coatings industries by providing solutions to technical challenges and addressing technology management needs. Gary has over 35 years of experience in the chemicals and coatings industries, with work spanning synthetic and formulation efforts in the fields of water-soluble polymers, latex polymers, tackifier synthesis and dispersion, printing inks, and coatings. He has held various chemist and scientist positions, both supervisory and non-supervisory, at GAF Chemicals Corporation, Arizona Chemical Company, and Sun Chemical Corporation. Most recently, Gary spent 18 years at Benjamin Moore, starting as a senior polymer scientist and eventually becoming Vice President of R&D and Product Development from 2018 to 2023. In this role, he oversaw all aspects of Benjamin Moore’s R&D and product development efforts, including technology management and supply chain initiatives, along with the development of architectural and industrial maintenance coatings, colorants, and latex polymers.
Chelsea Monty, PhD
Associate Professor in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland State University
Chelsea Monty, PhD is an Associate Professor in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Cleveland State University. Her research focuses on using electrochemical techniques and novel nanocomposite biomaterials to better understand biological processes at a variety of spatial scales. She is also the CTO and founder of RooSense Inc. (a wearable health tech startup) and a co-founder of Corrolytics Inc (a startup focused on monitoring microbial corrosion). Prior to joining CSU, she was an associate professor of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering at The University of Akron from 2009-2020. She earned her PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2009. She was named a notable woman in STEM in 2019 by Crain’s Cleveland and was an Air Force Summer Faculty Fellow in 2017 and 2018.
PREVIOUS SPEAKERS
Company Registration
Please select the package in which you would like to purchase and register for PiNO. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at our conference!
Add Ons (Bronze, Silver and Gold):
✔ One More Representative for $150
✔ Poster Award for $200
✔ Sponsor a Travel Grant for $100
Gold
$1700
✔ Full Day Access
✔ Parking, Breakfast, Lunch
✔ Jolly Scholar Mixer
✔ Host mock interviews
✔ Professional headshot
✔ Recognition on conference materials and promotions
✔ Digital Resume Book of Student Attendees
✔ One 6ft Table
✔ Three Representatives
✔ Sponsor a Student Poster Award
✔ Listed as a Primary Sponsor
✔ Sponsor a Travel Award for one student
✔ ~10min spotlight to promote your company on stage to conference audience
Our Team
Mandy Zheng
Executive Director
Armin Aminimajd
Site Design and Server Administrator
Riley Donahue
Logistics Coordinator
Maryam Khoshgoee
Logistics Coordinator
Muzaffar Rafique
Logistics Coordinator
Alessandro D'Amico
Academic Coordinator
David Raufman
Academic Coordinator
Roberto Obregon
Academic Coordinator
Neha
Jadhav
Industry Coordinator
Negar Shaghaghi
Director of Logistics
Deborah Adedeji
Director of Industry Relations
Brandi
Martz
Director of Academic Relations
Orhun
Ayar
Director of Finance
Gallery
Getting There
Tinkham Veale University Center, Cleveland, Ohio