Julio Terán is the first person affiliated with NC State University to be named to an American Chemical Society (ACS) Polymer Science, Materials, and Engineering (PMSE) Department Future Faculty cohort.

The 2026 PMSE Future Faculty Symposium will take place this fall. The symposium honors researchers with significant contributions to polymer materials science and engineering and are applying to academic positions during that year.

Terán, who is a lecturer and academic advisor in the Engineering First-Year Program, is being recognized for his innovative research related to mechanochemical degradation in polymer surfaces, and integrating sustainability concepts into fundamental engineering courses.

Terán holds a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from Universidad Central del Ecuador, a master of science in chemistry from Universidad San Francisco and a Ph.D. in polymer science from NC State.

The NC State community has been vital to Teran’s research success.

“For me, it comes down to NC State’s motto, Think and Do,” he said. “NC State is well equipped to provide support to anybody who has the opportunity to work in research here. There is a lot of talent, a lot of support, and a lot of opportunities for enrichment and growth.”

He’s trying not to be too humble about it.

“My mentor, Lucian Lucia, told me, ‘Julio, we think we are being humble by not talking about our work, and that others will recognize what we’re trying to do,’” Terán said. “But you need to put yourself out there. You can’t just wait for it to happen.’ This recognition shows the importance of putting yourself out there as well as your work.”

Terán, an Ecuadorian national who came to the US in 2019 for his Ph.D., acknowledges the challenges and the opportunity he had at NC State to grow as a recognized early career researcher.

“Being an immigrant, and someone who adjusted to the U.S. education system, it brings me a lot of satisfaction to know that I’m working at the highest of levels,” said Terán. “It’s definitely an honor to be the first NC State alumnus to be recognized in this space.”