ST. LOUIS – Building on its commitment to advance technology through materials science, Aldrich® Materials Science, a strategic growth initiative of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (NASDAQ: SIAL), announced the establishment of a permanent endowment through the Materials Research Society (MRS) to support the new Mid-Career Researcher Award. Intended to honor individuals who have made outstanding mid-career advances in the scientific materials industry, nominations for the inaugural award will be accepted through October 1, 2011. The annual award presentation will take place at the MRS Spring Meeting, beginning with the MRS Spring Meeting in San Francisco, April 9 -13, 2012. For more information about MRS events and awards, visit www.mrs.org.

The new Mid-Career Researcher Award expands the existing MRS Awards portfolio, which includes such prestigious awards as the Outstanding Young Investigator (OYI) award and senior awards such as the Von Hippel and David Turnbull Lectureship awards. The Award is open to mid-career researchers, scientists and engineers between 40-52 years of age, in all areas of materials research. While funded by Aldrich Materials Science, the Award is managed by the Materials Research Society. In addition to the honor of peer recognition in the global materials research community, the winner will receive $5,000.

Commenting on the establishment of the Mid-Career Researcher Award in collaboration with MRS, Dr. Shashi Jasty, Lead for Aldrich Materials Science, said: “Since initiating the Aldrich Materials Science initiative nearly a decade ago, we have been committed to serving the interdisciplinary materials research enterprise as a leading materials chemistry partner, enabling technology innovation that can improve the quality of life. We are honored to endow this award through the Materials Research Society, a premier professional organization for the materials disciplines.”

“Our organization is excited to introduce the Mid-Career Researcher Award. Its addition to the MRS Awards portfolio will enable us to recognize excellence in materials research at every career stage. Aldrich Materials Science has been a long-time supporter of MRS programs and of professionals in the materials industry. We are pleased to have their support to enable this award program,” added Dr. James J. De Yoreo, 2011 MRS President. “The Award is accessible to a diverse pool of candidates that have recently advanced their careers and emerged as leaders in their respective fields. This award is aimed at bridging the gap between the Young Investigator Award and more senior MRS Awards.”

Information on Aldrich Materials Science products and services can be found at www.sigmaaldrich.com/materials-science.html.

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About Materials Research Society: The Materials Research Society (MRS) is an international organization of almost 16,000 materials researchers from academia, industry, and government, and a recognized leader in promoting the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research to improve the quality of life. MRS members are engaged and enthusiastic professionals hailing from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and engineering—the full spectrum of materials research. Headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, MRS membership now spans over 80 countries, with more than 40% of its members residing outside of the United States. MRS organizes high-quality scientific meetings, attracting over 13,000 attendees annually and facilitating interactions among a wide range of experts from the cutting edge of the global materials community. MRS is also a recognized leader in education outreach and advocacy for scientific research. More information about the Materials Research Society can be found on its Web site, www.mrs.org.

SOURCE Sigma-Aldrich