PPG Inducts Three Researchers Into Collegium

O'Dwyer and John F. Sopko were inducted into the Collegium during ceremonies here Saturday night. Established in 1983, the PPG Collegium recognizes PPG employees whose insight, creativity and innovation have resulted in major contributions to the company's products and processes. Election to the Collegium is conducted on a biennial basis for sustained contributions during a period of at least 10 years.

Jerabek, who died last month at the age of 82, joined PPG in 1964 as senior research chemist at the company's Springdale, Pa., coatings and resins research and development center, which later moved to Allison Park, Pa. In his 18 years with PPG, Jerabek's name appeared on 20 U.S. patents. His most significant discovery was the use of blocked isocyanate crosslinkers for the curing of cathodic electrodeposition coatings. A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in chemical engineering, Jerabek was a member of the development team for cathodic electrodeposition coatings that was honored in 1983 with the PPG President's Award for Technical Achievement, a biennial recognition of researchers whose work has contributed to the company's commercial success.

O'Dwyer, 55, PPG's director of discovery research at Allison Park, joined the company in 1973. A member of two teams honored with PPG President's Awards, O'Dwyer has made significant contributions in polymer synthesis, automotive spray products and coatings formulations. O'Dwyer, who holds 36 U.S. patents since joining PPG, earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of New York State, Buffalo, and a doctorate in organic chemistry from Northwestern University.

Sopko, 58, is a staff engineer at PPG's glass technical center in Harmarville, Pa. Since joining the company in 1968, Sopko's name has appeared on 18 U.S. patents. He is considered an industry leader in chemical vapor deposition. He was a member of the development team for Solarcool coated glass, winner of a PPG President's Award, and CVD Sungate low-emissivity glass, which has been a significant commercial success. Sopko earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries is a global supplier of coatings, glass, fiber glass and chemicals, with 120 manufacturing locations and equity affiliates in 23 countries. Sales in 2001 were $8.2 billion.