Stephen H. Foulger named Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

A professor who holds an endowed chair at Clemson University, directs a highly lauded center and has been called a pioneer in his field is winning one of the chemical sciences’ highest honors.

Stephen H. Foulger was selected as Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Foulger serves as the Gregg-Graniteville Endowed Chair and Professor in Clemson’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering and as the director of the University’s Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET).

He is world renowned for his research in optoelectronic polymers and polymer colloids.

The Royal Society of Chemistry reserves the Fellow honor for those who have been in a senior leadership position for more than five years and have made an impact in any field of the chemical sciences.

“It’s a high honor to be included among this group of esteemed individuals,” Foulger said. “I thank my colleagues who supported my nomination and all those who have supported me throughout my career.”

As an endowed chair, Foulger is a member of an elite technical group of senior advisors to University administrators in polymer physics and biomaterials.

Foulger in 2016 received a $6-million National Science Foundation grant to support research and to develop a STEM workforce, particularly of early-career faculty researchers, in the cutting-edge field of optogenetics.

His work has led to new hires in Clemson’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering and has helped bring together new collaborations with the Medical University of South Carolina.

Foulger’s excellence is reflected in his publishing record, which includes more than 110 papers and book chapters. His presentations and contributions to various seminars number in the hundreds.

In addition to his academic work, Foulger has extensive entrepreneurial experience that has made a lasting impact on the chemical-based economy of South Carolina.

He was part of a team in 2001 that founded Tetramer Technologies, LLC, and he currently serves as one of its directors. The Pendleton-based company performs research, development, and manufacturing of advanced materials and specialty chemicals, with an emphasis on the design of monomer and polymer molecular architectures to add value to customers’ products.

Tetramer has grown from a group of senior researchers and postdoctoral fellows to about 40 employees serving the energy, defense and specialty chemical sectors.

More recently, Steve also founded another Clemson University spin-off company, DF Werke, LLC.

Kyle Brinkman, a long-time colleague of Foulger’s and chair of Clemson’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, offered his congratulations.

“On the basis of his impact to chemical sciences and business and his high level of seniority as endowed chair and center director, Stephen’s selection as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry is highly deserving,” Brinkman said. “It is a reflection of his leadership and reputation among his colleagues, not only in the U.S. but worldwide.”