Developed optimum reaction conditions for PEO crosslinking and PCL degradation
Transport properties of the nanostructured and porous hydrogels
Measured diffusion coefficients of various macromolecules through the hydrogels.
Samsung Electronics (Semiconductor Divison), DRAM PA
- 3 years 3 months
KiHeung, South Korea
Process engineer of dynamic random access memory (DRAM)
Supervised 128M and 256M DRAM in the fab.
Investigated failed processes during photo, etching and deposition for those DRAMs
Pusan National University, Research Assistant
- 2 years
Busan, South Korea
Degradation of trichloroethylene(TCE) using microbes
Conducted kinetic studies of TCE degradation using methanotrophs
Implemented design and continuous operation of a bioreactor for the TCE degradation
Synthesis of waterborne polyurethanes
Performed one-pot synthesis of waterborne polyurethanes used for coatings
SPE Positions Held
No Positions Held
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
-
Activities and Societies: Minor: Materials Science and Engineering
Thesis: Synthesis and characterization of novel nanostructured and porous hydrogels
Pusan National University
M.S. Chemical Engineering
-
Activities and Societies: Minor: Biochemical Engineering
Thesis: Degradation of trichloroethylene(TCE) using microbes
Pusan National University
B.S. Chemical Engineering
-
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Summary
I am a Korean American woman, who has a wide variety of professional and cultural experiences, having worked in tire and semiconductor companies and having studied engineering in Korean and American universities. With an extensive background in R&D, I’ve recently started a management career by becoming a director of a Korean petrochemical in the US. I believe I can bring in professional and cultural diversities into the top management, and help minority voices be heard. I’ll work hard to strengthen the SPE presence in Far East Asia and to make it a more globally inclusive community.
Additional Information
I joined SPE early this year and would like to have an opportunity to contribute to the success of the SPE organization and help develop strategies for expanding SPE communities.
Kim McLoughlin Senior Research Engineer, Global Materials Science Braskem
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Kim drives technology programs at Braskem to develop advanced polyolefins with improved recyclability and sustainability. As Principal Investigator on a REMADE-funded collaboration, Kim leads a diverse industry-academic team that is developing a process to recycle elastomers as secondary feedstock. Kim has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell. She is an inventor on more than 25 patents and applications for novel polyolefin technologies. Kim is on the Board of Directors of SPE’s Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division, where she has served as Education Chair and Councilor.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Gamini has a BS and PhD from Purdue University in Materials Engineering and Sustainability. He joined Penn State as a Post Doctorate Scholar in 2020 prior to his professorship appointment. He works closely with PA plastics manufacturers to implement sustainability programs in their plants.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Tom Giovannetti holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tulsa and for the last 26 years has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Tom started his plastics career by designing various injection molded products for the chemical industry including explosion proof plugs and receptacles, panel boards and detonation arrestors for 24 inch pipelines. Tom also holds a patent for design of a polyphenylene sulfide sleeve in a nylon coolant cross-over of an air intake manifold and is a Certified Plastic Technologist through the Society of Plastic Engineers. Tom serves on the Oklahoma Section Board as Councilor, is also the past president of the local Oklahoma SPE Section, and as well serves on the SPE Injection Molding Division board.
Joseph Lawrence, Ph.D. Senior Director and Research Professor University of Toledo
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Dr. Joseph Lawrence is a Research Professor and Senior Director of the Polymer Institute and the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization at the University of Toledo. He is a Chemical Engineer by training and after working in the process industry, he has been engaged in polymers and composites research for 18+ years. In the Polymer Institute he leads research on renewably sourced polymers, plastics recycling, and additive manufacturing. He is also the lead investigator of the Polyesters and Barrier Materials Research Consortium funded by industry. Dr. Lawrence has advised 20 graduate students, mentored 8 staff scientists and several undergraduate students. He is a peer reviewer in several journals, has authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications and serves on the board of the Injection Molding Division of SPE.
Matt Hammernik Northeast Account Manager Hasco America
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Matt Hammernik serves as Hasco America’s Northeast Area Account Manager covering the states Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He started with Hasco America at the beginning of March 2022. Matt started in the Injection Mold Industry roughly 10 years ago as an estimator quoting injection mold base steel, components and machining. He advanced into outside sales and has been serving molders, mold builders and mold makers for about 7 years.
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Upstream Quote Engineer, Cytiva; Co-host, PlastChicks Podcast; President-Elect, SPE-Inspiring Plastics
Professionals. Throughout her career, Lynzie has gained experience in the automotive, appliance, medical, pet,
and micro injection molding industries. Lynzie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Plastics Engineering
Technology from Penn State Behrend in 2008. She has been a member of SPE since 2004 and has been involved in her
local section, holding many positions including past President. Lynzie also sits on the Injection Molding
Division and is the former secretary for the SPE Foundation board. In 2015, Lynzie was part of Plastics News'
inaugural class of "Women Breaking the Mold," and was named one of the group's "Rising Stars" in 2018. She is
also on the Industrial Advisory Board for Penn State's Plastics Department.
Mercedes Landázuri leads trend insight & innovation for Ampacet, a global manufacturer of color and
additive masterbatch. Additionally, she hosts trend forecasting workshops for Color Marketing Group, the premier
global color forecasting association, and was elected to their board of directors in 2024. In her spare time,
she has served as a guest lecturer for College for Creative Studies, Western Michigan University, and Advanced
Design’s virtual courses. She is an active volunteer for SPE, having held the highest leadership positions
within the Color and Appearance Division, the Recycling Division, and the NextGen Advisory Board. Landázuri
co-founded and co-hosts the award-winning PlastChicks podcast with Lynzie Nebel. Landázuri was named a
Plastics News Rising Star in 2017 and a Woman Breaking the Mold in 2024.
