Noureddine Abidi has been selected as the recipient of a Texas Tech University Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching and Research Award, university officials announced today. Abidi is an associate professor with Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science and head of university's Biopolymer Research, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute.

"Our professors and researchers are world-renowned experts in their fields, and their unrivaled dedication exemplifies the wealth of talent present throughout the system," said Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance. "These individuals' outstanding accomplishments continue to drive our institutions forward, and I am pleased to recognize such deserving faculty members."

Officials said that the twelfth annual award honors were presented to seven faculty members from Texas Tech, six faculty members from Tech's University Health Sciences Center and two faculty members from Angelo State University. Each winner received a commemorative medallion and a $5,000 award. The Chancellor's Council raises funds for student scholarships and recruitment, faculty awards and support, and various other programs of excellence.

In presenting the awards, university officials noted that Abidi's research evaluates and modifies biopolymers and cotton fibers to advance the quality of cotton and its functionalities. Joining Texas Tech in 1999, Abidi has received more than $3.8 million in external research grants and secured one patent and four invention disclosures.

Prior to joining the Texas Tech faculty, Abidi served as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Materials and Membrane Processes Laboratory of the National School of Chemical Engineering of Montpellier (France). He also worked as a head of Finishes-Chemical Research in the International Textile Center at Texas Tech.

He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry, and his master's degree in physical chemistry and organic chemistry from the University of Med I, Faculty of Sciences Oujda (Morocco). His doctorate in theoretical, physical and analytical chemistry is from the University of Haute Alsace, Mulhouse (France). Abidi is a member of the member of the Fiber Society; American Chemical Society; and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. He has been honored with the CASNR Research Award (2012).

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Richard Zartman, Department Chair and Leidigh Professor of Soil Physics, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or richard.zartman@ttu.edu

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