Universal Display announces the recipient of the inaugural Sherwin I. Seligsohn Innovation Award. The 2025 award, which celebrates groundbreaking advancements in organic electronics, has been presented to Dr. Paschalis Gkoupidenis of North Carolina State University and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research for his research in Organic Neuromorphic Electronics to Empower New Forms of Physical Intelligence.

“We established the Sherwin I. Seligsohn Innovation Award to honor our late found-er’s visionary leadership, exceptional intellect and boundless curiosity,” says Steven V. Abramson, president and CEO of Universal Display Corporation.

“Dr. Gkoupidenis’ remarkable work—using organic materials to emulate the human brain’s ability to sense, learn and adapt—exemplifies the kind of forward-thinking innovation that would have captivated Sherwin’s imagination,” Abramson adds. “As a trailblazer in the OLED industry, we appreciate the bold dedication it takes to push scientific boundaries, and we commend all applicants for their inspiring contributions to the field.”

The research submitted by Dr. Gkoupidenis explores how devices and circuits made from soft, flexible organic materials can mimic the way our brains process information, helping machines learn from experience and respond to their environment. His work is helping shape the future of “physical intelligence,” where technology becomes more intuitive and responsive, with diverse forms of intelligence that are seamlessly integrated into everyday life.

“Receiving the Sherwin I. Seligsohn Innovation Award is a profound honor,” says Dr. Gkoupidenis. “Innovation in organic electronics is not just about advancing technology—it’s about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. My research seeks to bridge the gap between technology and biology, creating organic electronics that integrate sensing, memory, and computation, resembling the efficiency and diversity of the brain. I’m grateful to UDC for supporting pioneering research and for celebrating the spirit of innovation that their founder, Sherwin Seligsohn, championed.”

This marks the inaugural year of the Sherwin I. Seligsohn Innovation Award, established to honor UDC’s late founder and his visionary legacy. The award program, sponsored by UDC, Inc., aims to support and celebrate innovation within the global scientific community and recognize groundbreaking advancements in organic electronics.

The 2025 award includes $75,000 USD in award funds and an invitation to present at UDC’s headquarters in Ewing, NJ. This year’s competition attracted submissions from researchers across seven countries, showcasing a diverse range of innovations in the field.