2019 Coblentz Society Craver Award to Be Presented to Shawn Chen at SciX

Shawn (Xiaoyun) Chen

Shawn (Xiaoyun) Chen will be presented with the Coblentz Society Craver Award at SciX 2019 on Thursday, October 17, in Palm Springs, California. Chen is a senior research scientist in the Core R&D Analytical Sciences department at the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan.

Chen received his PhD from the University of Michigan. His research focused on the development of sum frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy as a tool to investigate biointerfaces. At Dow, Chen applies all types of optical spectroscopy tools for problem solving in research and development (R&D), and in manufacturing and engineering projects. He has mentored many junior spectroscopists and has introduced non-spectroscopist users such as process engineers and synthetic chemists to in situ spectroscopy for reaction and process monitoring, and in-field deployment. His current work involves collaborating with experts in fields such as organic synthesis, catalyst discovery and development, reaction scale-up and optimization, and process analytical, to accelerate and improve R&D processes by optical spectroscopy. 

Chen has been a member of the Society of Applied Spectroscopy (SAS) and the Coblenz Society since 2013, and is currently on the Board of Managers for the Coblentz Society. He also serves as the newsletter editor for the SAS. He has been chairing a session on industrial applications of vibrational spectroscopy at SciX every year since 2015.

The Coblentz Society created the Craver Award in 2006 to recognize the efforts of young professional spectroscopists who have made significant contributions in applied analytical vibrational spectroscopy. The award is named for Clara D. Craver in recognition of her pioneering efforts in promoting the practice of infrared vibrational spectroscopy, and her many years of service to the Coblentz Society.

To see Spectroscopy’s interview with Chen, please click here.