NC State Professor Wins One of the Textile Industry’s Greatest Honors

Professor Karen Leonas is the newest winner of the Olney Medal, the highest scientific honor given by The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). The medal signifies outstanding achievement in textile chemistry, or in polymer or other fields of major importance to textile sciences and fibrous materials.

The AATCC recognizes Leonas in a press release for her many contributions to textile sciences, “particularly sustainable processes and practices across the supply chain, including textile processing, recycling, closed-loop manufacturing, circular economy methods, life-cycle analysis and social justice.” 

Leonas joined the Wilson College of Textiles faculty in 2013 as a textile science professor in the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management. She started her career working for Burlington Industries before transitioning to academia, but still impacts sustainable industry practices through her research.

“When Dr. Leonas joined the faculty at the Wilson College, she planned to continue her work in medical textiles but was asked to pivot to sustainability. As in her other areas of research, she again has innovatively used existing technology in addressing the many areas of sustainability related to textile sciences,” Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean Behnam Pourdeyhimi says.

After several decades in the textile sciences field, she has over 240 publications and numerous recognitions. She was the recipient of the Sustainability Award and the Outstanding Extension and Service Award from NC State – just to name a few.

“Although her focus here expanded from just polymer degradation to other sustainability issues encountered in the textile supply chain, a primary focus is moving towards a circular economy and moving forward in the area of fiber-to-fiber recycling,” Pourdeyhimi says.

Her most recent work focuses on conducting Life Cycle Assessments for the most common new and recycled fibers used in the fashion industry, made possible by a grant from the Walmart Foundation.

“Karen has dedicated her career to advancing textile chemistry and mentoring the next generation of textile industry leaders. Dr. Leonas is a key contributor to the emerging textile circular economy and we’re fortunate to have her at the Wilson College of Textiles,” Dean David Hinks says.

During her time at the Wilson College, she has served on 60 graduate student committees and consistently prioritized student mentorship.
“The prestigious Olney Medal is a fitting recognition of Dr. Leonas’ achievements in textile chemistry and other areas of the textile industry. Her accomplishments are multifaceted, but the throughline is clear: Her ability to use existing technology to address industry issues throughout her career has increased theoretical understanding and resulted in implemented solutions,” Hinks says.