Christopher Ober

Program Director
Polymers
Division of Materials Research
Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences
National Science Foundation

His research is focused on lithography, nanopatterning, the biology materials interface including anti-fouling materials, and control of surface structure in thin films. His interest in lithography has given him insight into sustainability issues in semiconductor processing.

• B.Sc. (1978) Honours Chemistry Co-op (U Waterloo); M.S. (1980), and Ph.D. (1982) degrees, both in Polymer Science & Engineering from University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
• National Science Foundation: Program Director, Polymers, Division of Materials Research (2024-present).
• Cornell University: Francis Bard Professor of Materials Science (2001-present); Lester B. Knight Director, Cornell Nanoscale Facility, (2016 - 2023); Interim Dean of Engineering, (2009 - 2010); Faculty member, MS&E, (1986-2001)
• Xerox Research Centre of Canada, Senior Member of Research Staff, (1982 - 1986)
• Associate Editor, Macromolecules, American Chemical Society (1995-2010).
• Elected to Canadian Academy of Engineering, 2024.
• Elected to National Academy of Engineering, 2023.
• 2022, Cornell University College of Engineering Undergrad Advising Award
• 2022, Turner Alfrey Professorship Lecture, MSU St. Andrews, Midland, MI
• 2020, Cornell University College of Engineering Research Excellence Award
• 2018, SPIE Senior Member, for accomplishments in advanced photoresist design
• 2015, Japan Photopolymer Science and Technology Outstanding Achievement Award
• 2015, Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
• 2014, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellow, Tokyo Institute of Technology
• 2014, Fellow of the American Physical Society
• 2013, Society of Polymer Science Japan (SPSJ) International Prize
• 2011, Humboldt Research Prize and Visiting Professor, University of Freiburg, Germany
• 2009, Gutenberg Research Award, University of Mainz, Germany
• 2009, ACS Fellow, Inaugural Class
• 2007 Humboldt Research Prize and Guest Professor, University of Bayreuth, Germany
• 2006 ACS Award in Applied Polymer Science
• 2003 SRC Award for Creative Invention
• Member: American Chemical Society [Chair, PMSE Division 2000; Chair Society Committee on Publications, 2022-2024]; American Physical Society, member;  Materials Research Society, member; Society of Photographic and Imaging Engineers (SPIE), senior member; International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Executive Committee, 2014-2021; President and Past, Polymer Division, 2008-2013].
• Over 600 publications in refereed journals; over 40 patents and patent applications; trained over 50 PhD students and worked with over 90 post0-docs and researchers