The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Distinguished Paper Award

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) Distinguished Paper Award of the AOCS Surfactants and Detergents Division recognizes an outstanding paper published in the area of surfactants and detergents.

We are delighted to announce that the 2021 winning paper is Probe Molecules for Pulsed‐Field‐Gradient Diffusion Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Experiments on Micelles (JSD 23(2):319-325), written by Mark D. Lingwood, Benjamin J. Schepergerdes, Deja‐Monae T. Hermosillo, Jalissa N. Delgado and Kaya P. Sanders.

This spotlight will introduce you to lead author, Dr. Mark Lingwood, Saint Mary's College of California.

Mark Lingwood first discovered his interest in magnetic resonance when he joined Prof. Song-I Han's research group at U.C. Santa Barbara. He earned his Ph.D. in 2010, utilizing Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) techniques to enhance magnetic resonance detection and imaging. Seeking to apply magnetic resonance to supramolecular assemblies and other self-assembled systems, he joined Prof. Louis Madsen's group at Virginia Tech in 2011 and focused on using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques to measure molecular self-diffusion. Prof. Lingwood joined the Chemistry Department at Saint Mary's College of California in 2012, and was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in 2018. His current research program continues both of his previous research trajectories, applying ODNP to magnetic resonance imaging and using diffusion NMR to study molecular self-assembly. Prof. Lingwood is proud to perform his research solely with undergraduate students, as Saint Mary's has no graduate programs in the sciences.

Can you tell us about current research?

I am continuing to investigate surfactant aggregates with NMR diffusion and relaxation measurements, and I am currently exploring the relationship between NMR and electrochemical methods for measuring diffusion and determining the size of surfactant aggregates.

What was your reaction when you learned you had won the award?

I was pleasantly surprised! I am proud of the paper we published, however I was unsure whether it would have an impact or even be noticed. I am grateful for this award and the recognition it brings.

How has AOCS helped develop your career?

AOCS, through the Journal of Surfactants and Detergents, has provided an ideal forum for the publication of my research.

Congratulations to Dr. Lingwood and his co-authors on an excellent paper.