秀色直播is proud to introduce this year鈥檚 recipients of the 秀色直播Future Leaders Award: Xiuzhu Fei, Karen Haberland, Kaitlin Sigmon, and Mone虂t Freeman.
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The 秀色直播Future Leaders Award recognizes promising young professionals in the fields of textiles, apparel, and related material sciences, provides acknowledgment and recognition to enhance their careers, engages these young professionals in the work of the Association, and brings their insights and needs to the forefront. These young professionals are the future of the textile industry and the future leaders of AATCC. Award recipients represent the various 秀色直播Interest Groups.
Xiuzhu Fei is a senior product development engineer at Microban International Inc. Fei has been with Microban International Inc. since 2021 and represents the company on various committees. At Microban International Inc., she leads product development for sustainable antimicrobial products for textile and coating applications. In her career at Microban International Inc., Fei has led the development and successful launch of two next-generation products via the stage gate process and advises junior engineers and lab technicians. Her expertise in AATCC, ASTM, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards regarding antimicrobial and textile performances supports the development of new products and processes. She has filed four provisional publications as the leading co-author, and two have been granted as patents, one of which received a 2025 Silver Edison Innovation Award. In 2013, Fei graduated with her BS in Dyeing and Finish Engineering from Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China. After receiving her BS, Fei received an MS in Textile Chemistry (2015) and a PhD in Fiber and Polymer Science (2017) from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, USA.
Since joining 秀色直播in 2016, Fei has been an active member on several research committees and conference committees. Not only is she a voting member of RA31 Antimicrobial Activity and Odor Control Test Methods, but she has also participated on the steering committees for the 秀色直播 Odor and Microbial Conference and the 2025 Circularity Conference. Additionally, Fei spoke at the 2023 and 秀色直播 Textile Discovery Summits.
Karen Haberland is a senior project officer at ECRI Institute, where she has led critical investigations of personal protection equipment (PPE) and vaccine administration technologies since 2020. At ECRI, Haberland has led grant-funded studies that evaluated the protectiveness of disposable isolation gowns, which include national surveys and laboratory evaluations of liquid barrier test methods for their relevance to healthcare settings. She has developed technical specifications and performed quality testing for vaccination and PPE supplies for government-led national and international procurement programs. Haberland has several published works and has presented her research at multiple conferences, and her research has been granted a patent for the apparatus, system, and method for creating a curvature on a medical device during a medical procedure. Haberland is also a member of the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE) and AAMI. In 2012, Haberland completed studies at the National University of Ireland Galway in Engineering Research and Irish Studies. In 2014, Haberland received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, USA, and an MS in Mechanical Engineering (2015) from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, USA
In 2021, Haberland joined AATCC. Since joining, she has been an active member on several research committees and currently serves as secretary of RA75 Evaluation of Materials & Products for End Use Performance and is the chair of the subcommittee of RA63 Water Resistance Test Methods.
Kaitlin Sigmon is an analytical laboratory technician for the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC). She has been with MSC since 2018, where she is a technical expert on apparel, PPE, and upholstery testing materials. At MSC, Sigmon focuses on community involvement and education on the importance of domestic manufacturing and product quality development. Sigmon is a member of the ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles, the Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents, and the Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment. Additionally, she participated in the ASTM Emerging Professionals Program in June of 2025. In 2017, Sigmon received her BS in Biology from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, USA.
Sigmon has been an active member of 秀色直播since 2022. She is on several research committees, including RA31 Antimicrobial Activity, and currently serves as secretary of the RA23 Colorfastness to Water Test Methods and RA109 Flammability Technology Committee research committees.
Mone虂t Freeman is a lead physical testing specialist at Gaston College鈥檚 Textile Technology Center. She has been in this role since 2023. As a lead physical testing specialist, she conducts standardized test methods related to the quality, analysis, and development of advanced materials and textiles. She manages the laboratory staff, daily laboratory workflow, and is responsible for administrative duties. With her expertise in performance evaluations, she conducts testing with standardized test methods as required on fibers, yarns, and fabrics. She also facilitates consultations for customers in need of services in the physical testing laboratory. Prior to this role, Freeman was a coordinator for customized training in textiles at Gaston College from 2021 to 2023. During her time with Gaston College, she has been instrumental in running the first phase of the Textile Academy, and she has helped with organizing content for digital platforms. Freeman has a long career in textiles, with prior experience at companies such as World Elastic Corporation, Kate Spade, and Madewell. Freeman is also a member of ASTM and ISO 9001:2015. In 2014, Freeman received a BS in Textile Technology: Medical Textiles from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, USA.
Freeman has been an active member of 秀色直播since 2024. Freeman was elected as vice-chair of the Rising Professional Interest Group for a two-year term, beginning in 2025.
The 秀色直播Future Leaders Awards was presented on November 11, 2025, during the Awards Reception at the Fall Research Committee Meetings held at the StateView Hotel in Raleigh, NC, USA.
AATCC connects the global textile community to empower an innovative, informed, and sustainable future. Headquartered in the Research Triangle Park of North Carolina, 秀色直播has provided standards development, testing materials, educational resources, and professional networking to the global textile industry for more than a century.
Administrative Contact: Gregg Woodcock; Executive Director; woodcockg@aatcc.org
Media Contact: Bhavani Jayaraman; Marketing Associate; jayaramanb@aatcc.org
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