Caitlin Sample

Caitlin Sample is an Assistant Professor in the School of Molecular Sciences and the Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing at Arizona State University (ASU). She holds a joint S.B. in Materials Science and Applied Mathematics from MIT (2014) and a Ph.D. in Materials from the University of California, Santa Barbara (2020). Her postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota focused on sustainable polymer synthesis for recycling applications.

Her research addresses environmental challenges in polymer use by designing high-performance polymers with reduced lifecycle impacts. Key interests include dynamic bonds in microstructured plastics, compatibilizers for mixed plastic recycling, and recyclable systems for additive manufacturing. She has been recognized with an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

Teaching responsibilities span undergraduate and graduate courses in organic chemistry, research techniques, and honors thesis supervision. Her academic contributions are highlighted in over 20 peer-reviewed publications, emphasizing sustainable material design and recycling innovations.

• Awards: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (2014-2020)
• Labs/Teams: Leads the Sustainable Polymer Design group at ASU's Biodesign Institute
• Grants: Active funding from NSF and industry partnerships in sustainable materials