Mason Link, Penn State University
At Corning, innovation begins with a commitment to shape the world we share. Through collaborations with academic institutions and students around the world, Corning helps cultivate future talent while advancing research, development, and engineering (RD&E).
As an industry leader, Corning supports that commitment through the Glass Age Scholarship, which provides financial support and a year-long collaboration to a selected student. The program is designed to give creative and talented graduate students valuable exposure to industry perspectives, professional mentorship, and the real-world relevance of glass science.
The 2025/2026 Glass Age Scholar recipient is Mason Link, a doctoral student in Chemical Engineering at Penn State University.
Mason first learned about the Glass Age Scholarship through his advisor, who encouraged him to pursue the opportunity as a way to strengthen the connection between academic research and industry engagement. After his first application for the Glass Age Scholarship was not selected, Mason revisited the application process with an even clearer understanding of the scholarship’s significance in supporting the scope and impact of his research.
“What inspired me most was the opportunity to connect the fundamental glass science I was conducting at Penn State with real-world application and industry perspective,” Mason said. “As a doctoral student, I have primarily been exposed to academic research, so I was particularly drawn to a program that emphasizes not only technical depth, but also professional development.”
Mason worked closely with his Corning mentors– Dr. Charlene Smith, Dr. Qiang Fu, and Penn State University Advisor – Professor Seong Kim to refine and strengthen his research approach. Their discussions focused on interpreting results, identifying underlying assumptions, and improving the rigor and clarity of his experimental design and analysis. Through this collaboration, Mason gained not only technical feedback, but also broader insight into how experienced scientists evaluate complex research problems.
“One of the most surprising aspects of this experience was how quickly my mentors were able to identify challenges in my work that I had either overlooked or struggled with,” Mason said. “They were often able to provide clear strategies to address those issues, which demonstrated the value of both perspective and experience.”
Beyond his project work, Mason gained a deeper appreciation for how scientific research is conducted and applied in an industrial environment. Working with Corning mentors from varied technical backgrounds expanded his understanding of interdisciplinary collaboration, practical problem-solving, and the importance of communicating scientific ideas with clarity and purpose to drive innovation.
On May 27, 2026, Mason presented his research and talk “Toward a Revised Framework for Crystal Nucleation in Glass-Ceramics” at Glass Age Scholar mini-symposium held virtually in May 2026. — an enjoyable and rewarding experience that offered valuable feedback from an industry audience while helping him continue to develop his professional presentation skills.
“The Glass Age Scholarship has given me more than I could have expected,” Mason said. “It broadened my perspective on research, increased my confidence as a communicator, and reinforced my interest in pursuing innovative and impactful work in glass science. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this valuable program.”
