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Uniting chemistry and physics, UF Michelin Science Scholar Cesar Dominguez explores sustainable alternatives to plastics

Oct 23, 2025

3 min

Austin Evans


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Cesar Dominguez, a fourth-year chemistry and physics double major at the University of Florida, may be on track to finding alternatives to plastic that could benefit the planet.


His impactful work has helped him earn the title of Michelin Science Scholar, and he is now one of a select group of undergraduates connecting scientific research to real-world challenges at Michelin – a global leader in materials science and sustainability.


“There’s always this misconception that academic research is completely separate from industry research,” Dominguez said. “Michelin has shown me it’s all one science. You can push discovery forward in both spaces.”


Dominguez embarked this fall on a two-semester program of faculty-mentored research, with a $2,000 student stipend and $500 in support funding for his faculty mentor, UF chemistry professor Austin Evans, Ph.D. The program also invites students to present their findings at a spring symposium and tour a Michelin facility in South Carolina.


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Austin Evans' research aims to control macromolecular structure at all length scales concurrently and deploy materials in the real world.


View his profile here






Dominguez is furthering his study of how to process ultra-high molecular weight polymers – materials he compares to the scale of “an entire city” rather than a football stadium, through powerful electric fields. By adjusting electrospinning techniques, Dominguez and his team examine how polymers form fibers with different thermal and mechanical properties. These findings could lead to stronger, more sustainable materials, including alternatives to plastics like the major pollutant polyethylene.


“All my life, I’ve been told chemistry and physics are separate fields,” Dominguez said. “But I’ve learned they come together in really elegant ways. Being able to unite concepts from both gives me a deeper understanding of how things work.”


Dominguez attributes much of his development as a researcher to his work with Evans, who he describes as incredibly supportive, always accessible, and consistently encouraging him to focus on precision and detail. Dominguez also sees UF’s resources as pivotal to his journey.


“I feel like what makes the research I'm doing really exciting is the fact that this can only be done at the University of Florida, because we're working with materials that have been developed by scientists here, using equipment that we're very fortunate to have access to here,” Dominguez said.



As he prepares to apply to graduate school in analytical chemistry, Dominguez said the Michelin program has expanded his view of what is possible after his degree.


“I used to think research only happened in academia,” he said. “Now I know industry is just as vital. It’s opened my mind to different paths for my future.”


For now, he offers one piece of advice to other students considering the program: “Do it for the love of the game. If you put passion into your work, everything else will follow.”


For more information on the Michelin Science Scholars Program, click here:



To learn more about the research happening at UF and to connect with Austin Evans - simply click his icon now to arrange an interview today.

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Austin Evans

Austin Evans

Professor

Austin Evans' research aims to control macromolecular structure at all length scales concurrently and deploy materials in the real world.

Energy StorageBatteriesPolymersMaterials SciencePlastics

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