Southern Miss Researcher Earns Spot in Competitive CAS Future Leaders Program
Tue, 06/02/2026 - 09:30am | By: Morgan Smith
Dr. Anthony Griffin
Dr. Anthony Griffin, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering at 小狐狸直播, has been selected for the 2026 , an international leadership development initiative hosted by CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Griffin was selected from a competitive global pool of applicants for the 2026 cohort, which accepts fewer than 4% of applicants each year. The program recognizes emerging scientists conducting impactful research across a range of disciplines, including materials science, synthetic biology and cheminformatics.
Griffin is a member of the within the Southern Miss School of Polymer Science and Engineering, where his work focuses on finding new ways to reuse everyday plastics and other materials by turning them into useful products that can support energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. His principal investigator and adviser is Dr. Zhe Qiang.
As part of the program, Griffin will participate in leadership and career development workshops, mentorship opportunities with industry leaders and collaborative discussions with fellow scientists from around the world. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their research during the ACS Fall 2026 meeting in Chicago and receive a three-year ACS membership.
鈥淚鈥檓 truly grateful to have the opportunity to connect with future leaders from throughout the world, allowing me to grow as a leader while expanding my perspective of leadership within the scientific community,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淪eeing what past awardees have accomplished in their careers, this recognition further motivates me to continue to grow as a scientist and leader in order to make a meaningful impact in the broader scientific community.鈥�
Griffin was one of 31 early-career scientists selected worldwide for the 2026 CAS Future Leaders鈩� cohort, joining participants from institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Northwestern University and ETH Z眉rich.
鈥淎nthony鈥檚 recognition reflects our long-standing tradition of training future generations who will help shape the future of society,鈥� Qiang said.
The CAS Future Leaders鈩� program is designed to help early-career scientists strengthen leadership and communication skills while building professional connections across the global scientific community. CAS specializes in scientific knowledge management and supports researchers and innovators worldwide through scientific data, analytics and information solutions.
Learn more about the School of Polymer Science and Engineering and the .
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at 小狐狸直播 is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University鈥檚 mission, we educate students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.