Joseph G. Lawrence, PhD, is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Polymer Institute at The University of Toledo. He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from The University of Toledo in 2008, following an MS in Chemical Engineering from UToledo and a BE in Chemical Engineering from Annamalai University, where he graduated first in his class and received the Gold Medal. He subsequently completed postdoctoral training in bioengineering at The University of Toledo. His academic career has included progressively responsible research and administrative leadership roles within the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization (CMSC) and the Polymer Institute, culminating in his current faculty and Institute leadership position.

Dr. Lawrence's interdisciplinary research program focuses on polymer science and engineering, sustainable polymers and plastics circularity, polymer composites, additive manufacturing, and advanced materials characterization. His research integrates fundamental materials science with application-driven problems relevant to manufacturing, sustainability, and industry. He has generated more than $9 million in external funding and project revenue, including $6.39 million on projects as Principal Investigator. His research has resulted in a substantial record of peer-reviewed scholarship, patent applications, invited presentations, and extensive collaborations with academic, government, and industry partners.

A defining component of Dr. Lawrence's career has been the development of interdisciplinary research infrastructure and external partnerships. Through his leadership of CMSC and the Polymer Institute, he helped develop CMSC into a shared research facility supporting academic and industrial users and generating more than $2.5 million in external project revenue. He has developed partnerships with more than 90 industry collaborators and led the establishment and expansion of major research and training capabilities, including the Drinking Water Research Laboratory and the Additive Manufacturing Research and Training Laboratory. His leadership has also supported the acquisition of advanced instrumentation, interdisciplinary collaborations, industry-sponsored research, workforce development, and research opportunities for students and faculty.

Dr. Lawrence's educational contributions connect fundamental chemical engineering principles with contemporary challenges in polymer processing, materials characterization, sustainability, and plastics circularity. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in fluid mechanics, polymer science and engineering, and polymer laboratory methods. He has led the redesign of laboratory experiences to incorporate plastics recycling and circular-economy concepts and has developed professional and industry training in advanced materials characterization. He has advised or co-advised 30 graduate students (9 PhD and 21 MS), while also mentoring undergraduate researchers, research staff, and students participating in interdisciplinary and industry-sponsored projects.

In addition to his research and educational activities, Dr. Lawrence has contributed extensively to academic, professional, and institutional leadership. His service includes leadership roles in the Society of Plastics Engineers, federal proposal review, journal peer review, editorial activities, university and college committees, research strategic planning, and the College of Engineering Dean's Cabinet. His contributions have been recognized through the College of Engineering Excellence in Research Award, selection to the UToledo Leadership Institute, and other academic honors. Collectively, his work reflects an integrated career in scholarship, graduate education, research infrastructure development, industry engagement, and academic leadership, with sustained contributions to The University of Toledo and the broader materials and polymer engineering community.