Dr. Tristan Clemons continues to solidify his reputation as a rising international research star with The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) School of Polymer Science and Engineering’s faculty.
His proficiency in the university’s polymer science laboratories is matched by his keen footwork and hand-to-eye coordination as a field hockey goalie. He was included in the U.S. Men’s National Field Hockey team’s lineup for the preliminary 2025 International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) Hockey Nations Cup 2, held Feb. 17-23 in Muscat, Oman, where the team finished fourth overall following a narrow shoot-out loss in the Bronze Medal match with Poland. The tournament pitted teams from eight nations against each other for a spot at the 2026 World Cup in in Wavre, Belgium, and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
A veteran goalie on medal-winning field hockey teams in his native Australia, Dr. Clemons came out of retirement to accept an invitation to play goalie for the 2023 U.S. team. “It’s always an honor to represent your country in anything, so I was humbled for the opportunity to get out there with my mates in the red, white and blue,” Clemons said.
“As an older fella in the group, you never know when your last chance will be, so it was great to get to play again,” quipped the 37-year-old.
Grateful for the support of his School of Polymer Science and Engineering family and the greater Southern Miss community, Clemons says he’s inspired to give his all when he’s on the field “for those who have been behind me every step of the way on this journey,” particularly his students.
“I love showing them [students] that being a research scientist doesn’t have to be about always fitting into the traditional image of a white lab coat and a microscope,” Clemons reflected.
Clemons joined the Southern Miss Faculty in 2021; his research expertise includes polymer chemistry, biomaterials and supramolecular assembly. He leads the school’s Clemons Research Lab, which focuses on polymer chemistry, supramolecular assembly, and biomaterials for therapeutic applications. In 2023, he was named the Southern Miss Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research Mentor of the Year.
Before coming to USM, Clemons was a research associate at Northwestern University and a National Health and Medical Research Council fellow at the University of Western Australia, investigating nanomaterials designed for the treatment of burn injuries.
“Dr. Clemons smashes stereotypes about what it’s like to be a scientist,” said Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the Southern Miss College of Arts and Sciences. “His research program at Southern Miss continues to grow at an impressive pace. His lab is among the most highly productive in the field, all while he competes at the highest levels of his sport, and his work ethic and dedication to both science and the U.S. Team are extraordinary.”
Click here to learn more about Dr. Clemons’ work at Southern Miss and that of his colleagues and students in the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. Click here to view Dr. Clemons’ U.S. National Field Hockey profile.