Beetham Fellow Alex Rosen Waterproofs the World
Where there’s rain, Alex Rosen, PhD ’25, shines.
As the inaugural Beetham Fellow, his research spanned fundamental science in materials chemistry to industry-engagement collaborations with NASA. Most recently, Rosen’s focus has been on creating a hydrophobic polyfluorinated alkyl substances-free coating based in naturally abundant aluminum oxide chemistry to enhance sustainability. In other words—he’s designing a raincoat to save the planet.
“One of the biggest areas of sustainability goals across the globe is replacing PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, used in waterproofing clothing,” Rosen explains.
PFASs do not break down. Because of their widespread use, most people have a detectable amount of the forever chemical in their blood, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
“It's not enough to just stop wearing it,” Rosen says. “We have to stop producing them as well. We’ve been using natural fibers for hundreds of years. There’s no need for us to stay with synthetics or coated materials.”
It’s the kind of mission statement that exemplifies the qualities of a Beetham Fellow and the innovation at the heart of the activities supported by the Beetham Family Fund for Industry Engagement in Organic and Materials Chemistry. Established in 2022 thanks to the support of Dennis Beetham, MS ’67 (chemistry), and his wife Janet, the Beetham Family Fund supports, among other things, Beetham Fellowships in organic and materials chemistry. In addition to supporting the Beetham Fellowship, the Beetham Family Fund has amplified industry-facing research and collaboration across the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact and UO’s Materials Science Institute and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“It’s not every donor who is excited about endowing a PhD student,” says Darren Johnson, professor of chemistry at the UO. “Dennis loves to support our students and programs and makes you feel like you’re doing something right.”
Rosen echoes this sentiment and describes meeting Dennis and Janet shortly after receiving the news of his appointment to the Beetham Fellowship.
“It was humbling to meet someone who is such a successful businessperson whose love of the university is making such an impact,” he says. “One thing he said that stuck with me was ‘Never stop trying because you never know when you’ll get your break and take flight’.”
Driven by love for the natural world and the people who inhabit it, Rosen’s way of taking flight is by using the applicable skills he’s gained through the Beetham Fellowship to continue his research through his company, tentatively named Alchemy Coating Technologies (ACT). Cofounded by Dr. Johnson, the startup addresses a key market need following the roll-out of nationwide PFA production bans. Rosen hopes that ACT will be the solution.
“There are no competitive solutions that exist right now besides ours,” he says. “We want to make sure that the environment is as beautiful and preserved as possible for future generations.”
Oregon150 supports students like Rosen by providing hands-on learning experiences and financial support, allowing them to jumpstart their careers as the next generation of innovators and global thought leaders. Learn more about how to support students like Alex through the Oregon150 Initiative.