Clarkson University's Elizabeth J. Podlaha-Murphy Receives NASF Foundation's 2026 William Blum Scientific Achievement Award

June 16, 2026

Elizabeth J. Podlaha-Murphy, professor and chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Clarkson University, received the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) Foundation's 2026 William Blum Scientific Achievement Award on June 3 during the SUR/FIN Conference and Trade Show in Rosemont, Illinois.

Two people stand on a stage during a professional conference or awards ceremony, jointly holding a plaque or award. One person wears a light blue blazer and conference badge, while the other wears a dark business suit. A large event backdrop with partially visible text and conference branding is behind them, with decorative plants along the front of the stage. Both are facing the camera during the award presentation.

The William Blum Scientific Achievement Award is among the surface finishing industry's highest honors, recognizing individuals whose research and innovations have advanced the science and practice of electroplating, metal finishing and related technologies.

"The NASF Foundation Scientific Achievement Award is one of the most distinguished honors in the surface finishing industry," wrote Dr. James H. Lindsay, AESF Fellow and chair of the award subcommittee, in a letter announcing the recognition. "It recognizes top researchers whose work has led to groundbreaking advancements in materials science, analytical techniques and electroplating processes."

Podlaha-Murphy was honored for decades of research on electrodeposited alloys and composites, with applications in surface finishing, semiconductor processing and environmental remediation. Her laboratory focuses on understanding the kinetics and mass transport phenomena that govern electrodeposition at the electrode-electrolyte interface and how those mechanisms influence material structure and performance.

Her contributions have advanced the scientific understanding of electrochemical materials processing and supported innovations across multiple industries. Among her many accomplishments is pioneering research on the electrodeposition of nickel-iron-molybdenum-tungsten (Ni-Fe-Mo-W) alloys, building on a body of work that has helped expand knowledge and capabilities within the surface finishing field.

As part of the honor, Podlaha-Murphy will deliver the 60th William Blum Memorial Lecture at SUR/FIN 2027. The lecture will be published in the technical papers section of Products Finishing magazine.

Named for electrochemical research pioneer Dr. William Blum Sr., the award recognizes researchers whose work has expanded scientific knowledge, improved industrial processes and advanced innovation across the surface finishing industry.