Dr. Fred Cook, Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate programs, Schools of Materials Science & Engineering, was recently selected to receive the American Association of Textile and Chemists and Colorists 2015 Olney Medal.

Cook will be honored at the AATCC's international conference, April 19-21 in Williamsburg, VA. The medal signifies outstanding achievement in textile chemistry, or in polymer or other fields of chemistry that are of major importance to textile sciences and fibrous materials. This also includes the development of chemical agents or chemical processes used in the manufacture of textiles, fibrous materials, or methods for their evaluation.

The Olney Medal is the Associations’ highest scientific award. It was established in 1944 as a testimonial to Dr. Louis Atwell Olney, founder of AATCC, in recognition of his lifetime of devotion and multitudinous contributions to the field of textile chemistry. This award is given to encourage and afford public recognition of such achievements and contributions.

Dr. Cook's research interests lie in the fields of textile and polymer chemistry. More specifically, areas under investigation include: crown ethers in anionic polymerizations and resin supports, carbon fiber conversion processes, energy-conserving textile chemical processes and polymer syntheses.

He returned to Georgia Tech from the Experimental Station of E.I. DuPont Co., where he served as a polymer research chemist. His studies at Tech blend polymer chemistry with textile chemical and process applications. A member of the American Chemical Society, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, the Fiber Society, Dr. Cook has chaired the AATCC National Committee of Conferences, chaired the NTC Operating Board, chaired the Georgia Tech Polymer Program for eight years, President of NCTE, and is a member of Sigma Xi, Delta Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi Professional Fraternities. He is a consulting editor for Textile World Magazine, and he has served as an expert witness in court for Bic Co.

Founded as the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), the Association continues to evolve to meet the needs of those in the ever-changing textile and materials industries. AATCC has served textile professionals since 1921. Today, the Association provides test method development, quality control materials, education, and professional networking for a global audience.