Southern Miss Graduate Follows Faculty Mentor’s Footsteps, Earns Forbes 30 Under 30 Honor

Thu, 02/12/2026 - 09:26am | By: Morgan Smith

Dr. Mark Robertson, a recent graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering, has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Science list for 2026. Robertson is following in the footsteps of his faculty mentor turned business partner, Dr. Zhe Qiang, who was also named to the list in 2022.

The School of Polymer Science and Engineering is nationally and internationally recognized for its competitive degree programs, elite cohort of students and faculty, and high standard of excellence in research and innovation. Together, Robertson and Qiang represent two Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees connected to the program.

“The program encourages the growth of well-rounded scientists,” said Robertson. “While learning the fundamental concepts that are critical to polymer science and engineering, a large emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and the ability to think critically about research problems, while also fostering academic curiosity.”

Robertson added that this approach was essential in shaping his research, entrepreneurship and professional growth. As a doctoral student, he was encouraged to think bigger and find scalable ways to apply his research to real-world problems.

That culture is reinforced through programs such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) Advancing Research Translation (ART) program and Mississippi’s SMART Act funding, which helps students and faculty explore ways to connect important research and real-world applications.

“Our students are first and foremost grounded in strong fundamentals in polymer science and engineering,” said Dr. Derek Patton, director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. “What is evolving is a culture that increasingly encourages innovation and translational thinking.”

One result of that culture was the development of RebornC, a company Robertson co-founded with Qiang that aims to reduce emissions from manufacturing processes by 50%.

Using 3D-printed carbon materials, RebornC repurposes plastic waste from products such as plastic straws and grocery bags to manufacture energy-efficient, customizable heaters for both residential and industrial use. Currently, the company has an impressive valuation of $3 million, according to Forbes.

“RebornC is in a very exciting place, with the technology at the cutting edge of relatively recent industrial practices that could provide enormous energy savings for companies in the chemical and manufacturing industries,” Robertson said.

Faculty leaders praised Robertson for his curiosity, initiative and problem-solving mindset, both as a scientist and an innovator.

“Mark is an exceptionally bright scientist,” Patton said. “That both Mark and his faculty mentor have earned this distinction from the Forbes 30 Under 30 list underscores the strength of Dr. Qiang’s student mentorship model.”

“I was thrilled to see Mark recognized by Forbes, joining an elite cohort of scientists who are making great impacts,” Qiang said. “This honor reflects the outstanding achievements he has made during his time at USM and speaks to the high caliber of education and research in our polymer program.”

View Robertson’s Forbes profile and learn more about the School of Polymer Science and Engineering.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Southern Mississippi is home to 13 schools, two ROTC units, and more than 100 academic programs. Guided by the University’s mission, we educate students, lead the state and nation in research and the creative arts, and advance knowledge across the humanities, social sciences, and STEM. Through innovative research and nationally recognized student success, we provide pathways to understanding the past, solving today's challenges, and imagining the possibilities of tomorrow.