The Dow Chemical Company : Dr. James C. Stevens Named Dow Distinguished Fellow

Dr. James C. Stevens has been named Dow distinguished fellow.   Stevens' discoveries in the area of polyolefin catalysis have truly revolutionized the production of linear low-density polyolefins, creating a number of successful polymer families and resulting in billions of dollars of revenue for Dow. 

"Jim is an extraordinary role model for innovation in science and technology.  He has delivered business results which have significantly impacted Dow's growth and is widely known for his contributions in the fields of catalysis and polymer chemistry," said William F. Banholzer, executive vice president, Ventures and New Business Development and Chief Technology Officer.  "His leadership will be vital in delivering on our innovation goals and preparing the next generation of great innovators."

The role of distinguished fellow is a newly created position, and represents the most senior technical role in Dow.  It is reserved for candidates who have the proven performance and skills to drive technical innovation across the entire company.  Distinguished fellows are expected to exert strategic influence on the direction of global R&D programs, as well as develop talent within R&D, helping to set standards for individual performance and scientific work.  

An organometallic chemist, Stevens was the force behind the discovery and commercialization of the INSITETM Technology family of single site catalysts.  In particular, his discovery of Constrained-Geometry Catalysts and recognition of the long chain branches they created, have proven to be a great commercial success.  Stevens' use of high-throughput techniques led to a rapid development of a range of new materials.   Successful products that arose from these efforts include:   AFFINITYTM Polyolefin Plastomers, ENGAGETM Polyolefin Elastomers, ELITETM Enhanced Polyethylene resins, NORDELTM IP Elastomers, VERSIFYTM Propylene Copolymers, and INFUSETM Olefin Block Copolymers.  Most recently, Jim contributed to the development of the Dow POWERHOUSETM Solar Shingle.  

Stevens is recognized as a world expert in olefin polymerization and an impressive list of awards, honors and publications reflect his standing in the scientific community.  Among these are:  the 2006 Perkin Medal, one of the highest technical awards in industrial chemistry, the 2010 Houdry Award, induction into the National Academy of Engineering in 2011, the 2006 ACS National Award in Industrial Chemistry, and the 1994 National Inventor of the Year.  Stevens is also listed as an inventor on 98 US patents and more than 1100 global patents.  He has authored eighteen scientific publications.  Internally, he is the recipient of the 2006 Herbert H. Dow Medal, the highest technical honor Dow bestows on its own researchers.  And, in 2011, he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters from Texas A&M University.

Jim Stevens joined Dow in 1979, after having graduated with B.A. in Chemistry from The College of Wooster in Ohio and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from The Ohio State University.  Jim is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas, American Chemical Society, and is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  He is also an advisor on the National Science Foundation Center for Chemical Innovation on Solar Fuels based at Caltech.