Released February 25, 2005

HATTIESBURG – A polymer science professor at The University of Southern Mississippi has been selected as one of the recipients of the 2005 Society of Plastics Engineering Fellow Award.

Dr. Joshua Otaigbe will receive the award during the 63rd Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC) May 1-5 in Boston. The award is the highest honor SPE bestows upon an individual to honor his or her contributions in the fields of plastics, engineering, science, technology or in the management of such activities.

"This is a very prestigious and important award to me because the award is subject to a rigorous peer review," Otaigbe said. "To be recognized by my peers in this way is very rewarding."

Of the 20,000 professional members of SPE worldwide, only 1 percent (227) are SPE Fellows.

Otaigbe was also recently awarded Chartered Scientist (CSci) status in recognition of his extensive contribution to the scientific and engineering communities. He was proposed for this award by the Institute of Materials (U.K.) and was subjected to rigorous peer review as part of the award process. The Science Council of the United Kingdom has given its approval to only 100 Charter awards to date. Otaigbe is also a fellow of the Institute of Materials in London.

"Dr. Otaigbe has a global reputation," aid Dr. Robert Lochhead, chair of the Department of Polymer Science. "He already is a Presidential Fellow, recognized by the president of the United States for his scientific work, and this is another well-earned award for Dr. Otaigbe. We are proud and privileged to have him here at Southern Miss."

Otaigbe lives in Hattiesburg with his wife, Dr. Laura Otaigbe, and three children, Florence, Ann and Daniel.

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