Brent S. Sumerlin
George Bergen Butler Professor
Research Focus
Our research focuses on the application of fundamental organic chemistry to the design and study of polymers with precise structures and properties. We develop new methods for controlled polymerization and post-polymerization modification, enabling access to macromolecules with tailored architectures and functions. Our group also investigates depolymerization as a tool for understanding polymer stability and reactivity, with implications for recycling, sustainability, and subtractive manufacturing. By combining synthetic strategy with advanced characterization, we aim to expand the scope of polymer chemistry, bridging molecular design and materials performance across applications ranging from responsive systems to advanced functional materials.
Education and Training
1998–2003, Ph.D. Polymer Science & Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi
Selected Awards
Herman F. Mark Scholar Award, ACS (2024)
Florida Award, ACS Florida Section (2024)
UF Doctoral Dissertation Mentoring/Advising Award (2021)
Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2010)
NSF CAREER Award (2008)
Selected Activities
Fellow, American Chemical Society Fellow
Royal Society of Chemistry Associate Editor
ACS Macro Letters Director
Butler Polymer Research Laboratory Director
Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering
Selected Publications
Rhys W. Hughes, Tanmoy M. Maity, Timothée Sergent, Alex H. Balzer, Isabella S. Zastrow, Mansi S. Patel, Leah M. Baker, Payson M. Keown, LaShanda T. J. Korley, Brent S. Sumerlin Retrofitting PMMA with a Thermal Trigger for Efficient De-polymerization.J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 19485–19490.
Megan E. Lott, Maria A. Vratsanos, Rhys W. Hughes, Nathan C. Gianneschi, Brent S. Sumerlin In-situ Monitoring of Droplet Behavior in Inverse Microemulsions. ACS Nano, 2025, 19, 19168–19176
Ariana M. Tamura, Kevin A. Stewart, James B. Young, Nathan B. Wei, Alexander J. Cantor, Brent S. Sumerlin Selective Depolymerization for Sculpting Polymethacrylate Molecular Weight Distributions. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, 147, 5220–5227.