Chris Cooper
PhD ‘23
Chemical Engineering
Academic advisor: Professor Zhenan Bao
What have you been up to since your time at Stanford?
After earning my PhD in Chemical Engineering from Stanford in 2023, where I worked with Professor Zhenan Bao on dynamic polymer materials for stretchable electronics, I joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a postdoctoral researcher. At NIST, I studied how dynamic bonds influence the behavior of semicrystalline plastics, with the broader goal of developing strategies to reduce plastic waste and improve the sustainability of conventional polymer materials.
In 2025, I joined Washington University in St. Louis as an assistant professor with joint appointments in the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering and the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science. My research group develops new dynamic polymer materials for applications in human health, energy, and sustainability. Much of our work focuses on understanding the fundamental principles that govern how dynamic bonds can be incorporated into conventional polymer systems and how those interactions alter processing, structure, and performance. We then use those insights to design materials with capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional polymers alone. One of the most rewarding parts of this transition has been building a research group from the ground up and working with students to pursue new scientific directions at the intersection of polymer chemistry, materials science, and engineering.
What’s your fondest memory from your time at Stanford?
Some of my favorite memories from Stanford came from exploring California. During my PhD, my wife and I made it a goal to visit all nine of California’s national parks. Those trips took us all over the state, from the deserts of Death Valley and Joshua Tree to the coastlines of Channel Islands and Redwood, but Yosemite was always my favorite destination. We visited multiple times and still look back fondly on hikes along the Mist Trail, to Glen Aulin, and up Clouds Rest. Beyond the scenery, those trips provided a welcome balance to the challenges and intensity of graduate school. Many of my closest friendships from Stanford were strengthened during weekends spent hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors. Those experiences helped me appreciate how important it is to step away from research occasionally and gain perspective.
What advice would you like to share with our current students and postdocs?
Take full advantage of the people around you. Stanford attracts an incredible community of researchers, educators, and students who are not only leaders in their fields but are also remarkably willing to share their time, perspective, and experience. As a graduate student, I benefited tremendously from conversations with faculty both inside and outside my research area, interactions with fellow students and postdocs, and the broader mentorship culture within the department. Many of the lessons that have been most valuable in my career did not come from a textbook or a research paper—they came from discussions about navigating scientific challenges, choosing research directions, building collaborations, and thinking about long-term career goals.
My advice is to actively seek out those conversations. Ask questions, attend seminars outside your immediate area, and do not hesitate to reach out to people whose work or career path interests you. The opportunities for mentorship and professional development at Stanford are exceptional, but they are easy to take for granted while you are there. Even after leaving Stanford, I continue to benefit from relationships that began during graduate school. The scientific training I received was outstanding, but the network of colleagues, mentors, and friends I developed has been equally valuable. Invest in those relationships—they will continue to shape your career long after graduation.
