Academic Experience:
MIAMI UNIVERSITY Oxford, OH
Professor, Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering 2016–present
Associate Professor, Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering 2006–2016
GRAZ UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Graz, Austria
Fulbright Scholar – Visiting Professor, Institute for Paper, Pulp and Fibre Tech. Oct 2013–Feb 2014
SUNY COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND FORESTRY Syracuse, NY
Associate Professor, Faculty of Paper Science and Engineering 2001–2006
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Paper Science and Engineering 1996–2001
Lecturer, Research Support Specialist, Empire State Paper Research Institute 1990–1996
Professional Experience:
Associate Research Chemist, Otisca Industries, 1982–1990
Regional Technical Service Coordinator and Assistant Chemist, Champion Chemicals, Inc., 1980–1982
Research Interests:
Paper Physics, Paper Chemistry, Surface Chemistry, and Materials Science
Honors and Awards, Professional Societies, and Principal Publications
A graduate of the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. He joined North Carolina State University in 2001 as an Assistant Professor. In 2007, he was promoted to Associate Professor and currently manages an active research portfolio totaling ~$1 million. Dr. Pawlak has numerous scholarly publications and has received a number of awards for his research. He was named a Syracuse University Scholar in 1997 and awarded the Edwin C. Jahn and Renata Marton Fellowships.
In 2009, Dr. Pawlak took a scholarly leave to UNC Chapel Hill for a sabbatical in the Department of Biology. He has collaborated with numerous departments and universities. These activities have resulted in an interdisciplinary graduate program of study between the Forest Biomaterials and Microbiology departments at NC State University. Dr. Pawlak has served the University on numerous committees including the Grievance Committee, the Evaluation of Teaching Committee, the Admissions Committee, and the University Budget Advisory Board. Dr. Pawlak is a member of the University Partnership Council and the Research Triangle Environmental Health Collaborative. He is a recognized expert in the field of paper physics and has served as a private consultant for more than 20 companies.
In addition to his active research program and university service, Dr. Pawlak instructs two undergraduate courses and two graduate courses in the Department of Forest Biomaterials. He is also a recognized educator in the paper industry having instructed more 750 industrial professionals in continuing education workshops. Dr. Pawlak currently resides in Raleigh with his wife Leslie and three children.
Dr. Pawlak’s research focuses on the material science and material engineering of multiphase materials. Current research interests include porous fibrous web structures, foams made from natural materials, natural super-absorbents, enzymatic manipulation of material structure, natural nano-scale fiber composites, and novel application of rheological phenomenon.
A graduate of the Fox Valley Technical College Pulp and Paper Chemical Technology program,
Kevin cut his professional teeth at Gilbert Paper in Menasha, Wisconsin producing high grade
technical papers using unique blends of non-wood fibers along with proprietary additives to
achieve unique and repeatable features for use in the security paper space.
Director for the American Tissue Company out of Hauppauge, New York. He rounded out his career as a new business development and mill optimization specialist for Target Marketing/Erving Paper Mills in Erving, Massachusetts before starting his own consulting firm, Edgewater Tech LLC.
original Purely Cotton® team developing a viable 100% soft cotton facial and bath tissue,
studied Fiber and Plant Morphology with the staff at Integrated Paper Services, developed a
turn key deep tone softwood fluff pulp for the production of Non-Wovens and integrated a
Nano fiber-radio frequency platform into absorbent products enabling them to alert a sensor as
to the makeup of liquids contacting them. He also has spent countless hours optimizing fiber
blends by introducing pulp substitutes into his client’s mills, increasing yields and reducing raw
material costs.
utilize existing assets within the industry. He is often heard saying “its great to make things
faster and cheaper but real growth comes from finding more things to make”.