Draft:Frank Leibfarth

Frank Leibfarth is an American polymer chemist currently at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is known for his work in polymer stereochemistry and environmental science. He is focusing on the resolution of undegradable petroleum-derived plastics that are continuing become a more serious global problem. Degradable plastics through the design of catalysts to selectively polymerize sustainable polymers are the topic Leibfarth's team is working on.

Education
Dr. Leibfarth attended the University of South Dakota, graduating in 2008 with a double major in chemistry and physics summa cum laude. During his undergraduate career, he participated in two NSF REUs--one at Columbia University, and one at IBM Research-Almaden. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. from the University of Santa Barbara, studying with Dr. Craig Hawker. After graduating in 2013, he completed post-doctorate work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with Dr. Timothy Jamison until 2016.

Dr. Leibfarth played on the University of South Dakota football team as a kicker.

Research
Dr. Leibfarth's focus at UNC-Chapel Hill has been the development of new synthetic methods for creating functional polymers in order to study macromolecular behavior. His group has recently focused on controlling stereochemistry during ionic polymerizations, selective C-H functionalization, and creating automated methods for polymer synthesis.

Recognition
In 2019, Dr. Leibfarth was named to the 2019 Chemical and Engineering News "Talented 12" list for his work on the stereochemistry of poly(vinyl) ethers. In 2021, he was named to the Popular Science "Brilliant 10" list for his work on fluorinated polymers. He designed a fluorine-based resin able to attract per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and filter them out of water.

Awards

 * 2019, Chemical and Engineering News "Talented 12"
 * 2019, Beckman Young Investigator
 * 2020, Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards
 * 2020, Mark Scholar Awards
 * 2020, Sloan Research Fellowship in Chemistry
 * 2021, Popular Science "Brilliant 10"
 * 2022, Ruth and Phillip Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement
 * 2022, Journal of Polymer Science Innovation Award