Innovation Day 2026
The Science History Institute and the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) America will present the 23rd annual Innovation Day on September 21, 2026.
This hybrid event features a combination of in-person and online programming. In-person programming will be held at the Science History Institute Conference Center in historic Old City Philadelphia.
Overview
The Innovation Day Steering Committee—made up of R&D staff from SCI America’s member companies—has built an exciting agenda for this year’s meeting. We open with a panel on professional development, followed by a poster session and networking. After a lunch, the annual Warren G. Schlinger Symposium will include an address from 2026 SCI America Gordon E. Moore Medalist Lyndsay Leal. Next, panel experts will participate in engaging presentations and discussions on topics that explore this year’s themes: AI & Sustainability, AI & Digital Transformation, and AI & Training the Workforce of the Future.
Morning Programming
Professional Development in the Age of AI: How to Build a Career that Stays Valuable as the Work Changes
Organized by Elizabeth Ross-Medgaarden, Deidre Sandrock, Felicia Parks
As AI reshapes the nature of work, this panel explores how individuals can stay relevant, grow intentionally, and build skills that endure beyond any single tool or role. Panelists will share practical perspectives on navigating change, developing through experience, and creating team environments that encourage learning, curiosity, and experimentation.
Afternoon Sessions
Fireside Chats
Scaling Sustainability by Leveraging AI
Organized by Deep Bhattacharya, Peter Loggenberg, Anand Tanikella
This panel discussion will explore the use of AI to improve the collection and analysis of metadata within an organization to “Spend Less Time Counting Carbon and More Time Cutting It.” Today, corporate sustainability teams devote much of their time and resources to measuring and reporting emissions rather than reducing them. AI flips this around and allows for a transition to making investments in abating emissions and inventing sustainable products. Our speaker Stephen Bay, global head of AI at ClimeCo, will focus on how we aggregate data across systems, cut that data in different ways to aid in GHG footprint and science-based targets, reduce emissions by identifying the best projects upstream and customers downstream, and potentially reinvent the products themselves once the focus shifts from reducing footprint with existing products and markets.
AI & Digital Transformation in the Chemical and Materials Industry: From Data to Impact
Organized by Andre Frodl, Sudhakar Jale, William Liechty, and Mitch Refvik
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how chemical and materials companies innovate, develop products, and serve customers. This session will explore how leading organizations are applying AI across R&D, product development, sustainability, manufacturing, and commercial functions, while addressing the data, technology, and organizational challenges required to unlock value. Attendees will learn how companies are transforming fragmented data into AI-ready assets, leveraging tools such as machine learning, digital copilots, automated experimentation, and advanced analytics to accelerate decision-making and innovation. Through industry case studies and real-world examples, speakers will discuss measurable outcomes, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming adoption barriers. Whether you are a student preparing for the future workforce or an industry professional leading digital transformation, this session will provide practical insights into how AI is changing the chemical industry today.
AI & Training the Workforce of the Future
Organized by Erin Burke, Wen Li, and Arthur Martin
As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, organizations face new opportunities and challenges in preparing the workforce of tomorrow. This session will bring together perspectives from technology, academia, and industry to discuss how AI is reshaping skills requirements, workforce development, learning models, and talent strategies. The discussion will explore how businesses and educational institutions can work together to ensure employees are equipped to thrive in an increasingly AI-enabled world.
Closing Workshop: From Ideas to Action
Organized by Arthur Martin and Anand Tanikella
Close the day with an interactive workshop designed to bring together the ideas, questions, and perspectives explored throughout Innovation Day. Participants will reflect on the day’s themes—AI & Sustainability, AI & Digital Transformation, and AI & Workforce of the Future—and consider what they mean for their organizations, teams, and careers. This workshop invites participants to engage with one another, share experiences and perspectives, and explore opportunities and challenges. Come ready to participate, exchange ideas, and help shape the conversation about what comes next.
Schedule
Attire: Business/Business Casual
| 8:30am–10:15am In-Person | Check-in Opens (Lobby) Coffee and continental breakfast until 9:45am | |
| 9am In-Person | Museum open 9am–3:30pm Self-guided scavenger hunt available throughout the day | |
| 8:45am–9:45am In-Person | Morning Programming Professional Development in the Age of AI: How to Build a Career that Stays Valuable as the Work Changes | |
| 10am–11:15am In-Person | Poster Session A downloadable poster session guide will be posted here soon. | |
| 11:30am–1pm In-Person | Innovation Day Luncheon | |
| 12:15pm In-Person/Online | Welcome David A. Cole, President and CEO, Science History Institute The Warren G. Schlinger Symposium Lyndsay Leal, Dow Chemical Company2026 SCI America Gordon E. Moore Medalist 20-minute talk followed by Q&A | |
| 1pm–1:45pm | Break and Networking Activity Options: Continuation of Poster Networking Museum Programming (Self-guided scavenger hunt available in museum) | |
| 1:45pm–3:10pm In-Person/Online | Fireside Chats: Sessions 1 & 2 Scaling Sustainability by Leveraging AI AI & Digital Transformation in the Chemical and Materials Industry: From Data to Impact | |
| 3:10pm–3:20pm | Break Museum closes at 3:30pm | |
| 3:20pm–4pm In-Person/Online | Fireside Chats: Session 3 AI & Training the Workforce of the Future | |
| 4pm–4:40pm In-Person | Fireside Chats Closing Workshop From Ideas to Action | |
| 4:40pm–4:45pm In-Person | Concluding Remarks | |
| 4:45pm–6pm In-Person | Cocktails and Networking | |
Awards
SCI America Gordon E. Moore Medal
The Society of Chemical Industry America established the SCI America Gordon E. Moore Medal to recognize early-career success in innovation, as reflected both in market impact and improvement to quality of life. By highlighting extraordinary individuals and their work, SCI America aims to promote public understanding of research and development in modern chemical industries, enhance the interest of students in applied chemistry by providing role models, and emphasize the role of creative research in the global economy.
The 2026 Moore Medal honoree is Lyndsay Leal.
SCI Perkin Medal
The SCI America Perkin Medal was established to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of mauvene. Today the medal is widely acknowledged as the highest honor in American industrial chemistry. William Henry Perkin was a founding member of SCI, and this medal was first presented in New York to Perkin himself.
The 2026 Perkin Medal honoree is Jennifer Doudna, Li Ka Shing Chancellor’s Chair and Professor in the Departments of Chemistry and of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley.
Sponsors
Premier Sponsor
The Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation
Presenting Sponsor
Eastman Chemical Company
Sustaining Sponsors
AC & S, Incorporated
Arkema Inc.
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
Dow
ExxonMobil Product Solutions
LyondellBasell
Quaker Houghton
Univar Solutions
W. R. Grace & Company
Contributing Sponsors
COIM USA
Hallstar
Trecora
Trinseo
Steering Committee
Deep Bhattacharya
Group Vice President, Global Technology
Eastman Chemical Company
Erin E. Burke
North America Technical Director
Univar Solutions
Andre Frodl
VP of R&D, Metals, Metalworking and
Operating Solutions
Quaker Houghton
Sudhakar Jale
Senior Director, Technology & Sustainability
W. R. Grace & Co.
Wen Li
Chief of Polymer Products
ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering
William Liechty
R&D/TS&D Director, Dow Coating Materials
Northeast Dow Center Site Director
Peter Loggenberg
Executive Vice President of Specialty Polymers and Corporate Strategy
Trecora
Arthur W. Martin
Vice President R&D North America
Arkema Inc.
Felicia Parks
Technical Director, North America
Hallstar
Mitchell D. Refvik
Director – Polyolefin Technology
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
Elizabeth I. Ross-Medgaarden
Sr. Manager, Acetyls and Basic & Fundamental R&D
Houston Technology Center
LyondellBasell
Deidre L. Sandrock
Director of Sustainability and Innovation
Milliken & Company
Anand Tanikella
VP, R&D and Innovation
Trinseo LLC
