Robert Hickey, PhD. '07, associate professor of materials science and engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State University, will receive the American Physical Society’s 2025 John H. Dillon Medal. The medal, awarded annually since 1983, recognizes the exceptional early career research accomplishments of young polymer physicists. Hickey will receive the award at the APS Global Physics Summit in March 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Hickey’s research involves pioneering nonequilibrium structured soft materials. He previously received a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award for this work. 

Prior to joining Penn State in 2016, Hickey was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Minnesota. He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Widener University and his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania.