FSU Associate Professor Justin Kennemur receives prestigious William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award

Florida State University Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Justin Kennemur has been honored with the 2024-2025 William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award by the Florida Education Fund (FEF). This accolade recognizes faculty members who have provided exceptional guidance to McKnight Doctoral Fellows, fostering their academic and professional success.

Kennemur is the third FSU faculty member to receive this prestigious award, joining Tamara C. Bertrand Jones and Adrienne Patrice Stephenson, who were both honored in 2018.

“Learning that it was a student-nominated award made it all the more meaningful,” Kennemur said. “Mentorship is the most rewarding aspect of this job — helping young scientists grow and succeed is the best part.”

Since joining FSU in 2014, Kennemur has built a thriving research group in polymer chemistry. His team focuses on developing innovative materials for clean energy technologies and sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics. Guided by principles of hard work, creativity, respect and inclusion, his mentorship philosophy emphasizes tailoring support to individual needs and fostering a collaborative lab culture.

“In many ways I have been blessed to consistently recruit outstanding students who buy in to the culture of our team,” Kennemur said. “I ask my students to work hard for the team, and in return I work hard for them.”

Doctoral student Nath-Eddy Moody, a McKnight Doctoral Fellow, nominated Kennemur for the award.

“Nath is a creative thinker who pushes me to explore new ideas, and I do the same for him,” Kennemur said. “It’s a dynamic that drives growth for both of us.”

Eight doctoral degrees have been awarded under Kennemur’s tutelage, including several to underrepresented groups in STEM, and he currently mentors seven students. Beyond his lab, Kennemur’s work is addressing critical societal challenges, from clean energy applications like fuel cells and safer lithium-ion batteries to reducing reliance on fossil-fuels as feedstocks for plastics.

“We’re designing materials that could reshape industries and improve environmental outcomes,” he said.

As he looks to the future, Kennemur envisions continued growth for his research team and an increased impact on both the scientific community and his students’ careers.

“Watching students thrive after leaving FSU, knowing you’ve played a role in their success, is the ultimate reward,” Kennemur said.

For more information on the William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award and the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program, visit Florida Education Fund.

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