Join Sustainable Fashion Week Chicago and Professor Cécile Chazot, head of the Sustainable Polymer Innovation Laboratory at Northwestern, for a conversation exploring how advances in polymer science could reshape the future of clothing.

The discussion will her team's research on sustainable fibers, recyclable textiles, and innovative materials that reduce the environmental impact of fashion. From biopolymer-based fabrics to color created without dyes, in this hour-long interactive discussion, Professor Chazot will share how the next generation of materials could transform how clothes are made, worn, and reused. Attendees of all backgrounds are welcome, no STEM specialization required.

The virtual event includes a moderated discussion followed by audience question and answer section.

Cover photo by Matthew Gilson

About Prof. Cécile A. C. Chazot

Cécile A. C. Chazot is the Julia Weertman Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, where she leads the Sustainable Polymer Innovation Laboratory (SPIn Lab). Since joining Northwestern in January 2023, her research has focused on developing scalable and environmentally responsible polymer processes for textile manufacturing and recycling.

Her lab combines fundamental biopolymer design with advanced materials processing to uncover and control structure–property–processing relationships in natural polymers, with applications in stimuli-responsive fibers, films, and circular textile systems. Cécile earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT in 2022, under the supervision of Prof. A. John Hart, and holds an M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from Mines ParisTech in France. She is also a co-founder of the Materials Initiative for Comprehensive Research Opportunity (MICRO), a remote research program designed to expand access to materials science research for undergraduates across the U.S. Her work at the intersection of biopolymer innovation and fiber-based materials has earned her several recognitions, including Early Career Awards from the Army Research Laboratory and the Department of Energy, designation as an ACS Materials Au Rising Star in Materials Science, and selection as an RSC Applied Polymers Emerging Investigator, all in 2025.

Innovations in Sustainable Textile Science