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!
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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, biomedical innovation and more. Together, they bring ideas that shape the next generation of polymer research.
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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.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR'S SPONSORS
Previous Sponsors
AGENDA
*View concurrent sessions at the bottom of the agenda*
This Year's Speakers
Catherine H. Stephens, PhD
Sally and Michael Gordon Conservation Scientist in the David Booth Conservation Department at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Dr. Catherine H. Stephens serves as the Sally and Michael Gordon Conservation Scientist in the David Booth Conservation Department at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. Her responsibilities include applying chemical analysis to characterize artist materials found in the Museum’s collection, monitoring the environment inside the museum and its storage spaces, and overseeing projects focused on understanding changes in the material properties of artists' materials over time. Before joining MoMA, Catherine worked in the Department of Scientific Research at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage at Yale University, and The Art Conservation Research Center at Carnegie Mellon University. At those institutions, she studied the mechanisms of aging and degradation of bio-, semi-synthetic, and synthetic artists’ materials and harnessed data from volatile organic compound (VOC) analyses to determine the compatibility of commercial building, shipping, and storage materials for use near cultural heritage. She holds a Ph.D. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, and two B.A.s, in Chemistry and Art History, from SUNY Geneseo.
Greg S. Shaw, PhD
Principle at Innovation and Risk LLC
Greg S. Shaw, Ph.D. is Principal at Innovation and Risk LLC (www.innovationandrisk.com). In that role he assists companies with their innovation strategies and helps them implement those strategies for sustainable growth. The Innovation and Risk methodology is people-centric and begins by understanding the risk profile of the individuals and the company. Dr. Shaw then helps select the approaches and tools most appropriate for the client.
Prior to forming Innovation and Risk LLC, Dr. Shaw served in a variety of senior leadership positions, helping small, medium, and large companies achieve their growth potential. Roles included:
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Vice President, Global Product and Commercial Development, DayGlo Color Corp.
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Vice President, Strategic Growth, Mantrose Haeuser Company, Inc.
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Director, Innovation, Swagelok Company
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Director, Product and Market Development, Swagelok Company
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Director, Technology Development, Swagelok Company
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Director, Microstructures and Medical Devices, Orbital Research Inc.
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Chief Technology Officer, ComSense Technology Inc.
Dr. Shaw was awarded B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University. He has been married for 35 years and has three grown children – only one of whom is an engineer. In addition to his professional work, Dr. Shaw serves on the board of Cleveland Institute of Art (www.CIA.edu), on the governance committee of The Rekindle Fellowship (www.rekindlefellowship.org) and as Chair of the board of directors for Center for Arts Inspired Learning (www.arts-inspiredlearning.org). In his free time Dr. Shaw enjoys woodworking and disc golf.
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 Student Travel Award of non-CWRU students
✔ ~5-10min spotlight to promote your company on stage to conference audience
A full refund will be issued if a company withdraws its application for Pino before February 1, 2026.
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
2025 Poster Winners!
Gallery
Hotel Accommodation
Courtyard by Marriott Cleveland University Circle
2021 Cornell Road Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 44106
Getting There
Tinkham Veale University Center, Cleveland, Ohio