Michigan Molecular Institute will once again play host to one of the brightest minds in polymer research as its Turner Alfrey Visiting Professor program welcomes Professor Timothy P. Lodge, who will lecture at MMI May 16-19.

Lodge is a McKnight Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at the University of Minnesota. He will give a course entitled Block Copolymer Self-Assembly: The Flexible Route to New Functional Materials. Lodge will present to local scientists and other interested parties May 16 through 19 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at the MMI Lecture Hall, 1910 West St. Andrews in Midland.

Lodge's arrival marks the 37th such visit by a distinguished polymer researcher in the visiting professor program, established in 1973 and renamed in 1981 as a living memorial to the late Dr. Turner Alfrey, Jr. Each year, a leading scientist is invited to teach a short course, visit sponsoring organizations and deliver additional research seminars.

“The Turner Alfrey Visiting Professorship benefits many people,” said MMI Senior Research Scientist and Associate Professor Steve Keinath, who also serves as course registrar. “It provides a point of connection between local scientists and engineers with the world leaders of the polymer science field, offering a chance for true face-to-face give-and-take with some of the brightest minds working today. The visiting professorship is a connection MMI is proud to make in Dr. Alfrey’s name; he meant a great deal to polymer research and education, locally and nationally.”

Lodge will spend part of his time around mid-Michigan visiting some of the TAVP program’s co-sponsors, which include The Dow Chemical Company, Dow Corning Corporation, Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, the Mid-Michigan Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers and the Midland Section of the American Chemical Society.

Registration for the MMI course is required and due no later than May 9. Interested parties can contact MMI at 989.832.5555, ext. 571 or registrar@mmi.org. Additionally, participants can register online. There is no course fee for auditors of organizations co-sponsoring the TAVP program. The regular course fee is $400.