Rigoberto Advincula is a leading scientist and academic specializing in polymers, nanomaterials, and advanced materials. He holds the position of UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair Professor of Advanced and Nanostructured Materials, with joint appointments at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he leads research in macromolecular nanomaterials. His work focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers and nanomaterials for applications such as recyclable plastics, sensors, coatings, and biomedical devices, and he is recognized for integrating artificial intelligence into material discovery.

He has held faculty positions at Case Western Reserve University, University of Houston, and University of Alabama at Birmingham. Professor Advincula is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry, and the National Academy of Inventors. He has received numerous awards, including the Herman Mark Scholar Award, the 2023 Netzsch North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS) Fellows Award, and the 2022 Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of the Philippines. He is also known for mentoring students, advancing STEM education, and fostering collaboration between academic and research institutions.