2024 Candidates for Board of Directors - Margaret Sobkowicz Kline, Ph.D.

2024 Election for SPE Board of Directors

Margaret Sobkowicz Kline, Ph.D.

SPE Director Nominee

Experience

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Plastics Engineering Department

Professor (Sept 2021 - present)
Associate Professor (Sept 2017 - Aug 2021)
Assistant Professor (Sept 2011 - Aug 2017)

National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (March 2010 - July 2011)
Research Area: Processing-Structure-Property Relationships and Neutrons Scattering Characterization of Polymer Photovoltaics

SPE Positions Held

SPE Bioplastics and Renewable Technologies Division (2013 - Present)
- Director
- Chair
- Technical Program Chair
- Secretary
SPE Eastern New England Section (2014 - Present)
- Director
- Chair
- Technical Program Chair

Education

Colorado School of Mines
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
2005-2010

Activities and Societies: Society of Women Engineers American Chemical Society American Institute of Chemical Engineers Rugby

Columbia Engineering
B.S. Chemical Engineering
1997 - 2001

Activities and Societies: Society of Women Engineers American Institute of Chemical Engineers Rugby

Summary

As a full professor in the Plastics Engineering department at UMass Lowell I believe I bring the important perspective of academia to the SPE board. I engage in teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, and corporate levels on highly relevant topics for SPE members. I conduct federally and industry-funded research in plastics processing and I regularly publish in SPE journals. I have experience working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia and into the workplace. My previous roles in SPE at the chapter and division level have provided me with a good understanding of how the organization has been run in the past, as well as an ear to discussions of current topics among members. I am also a member of several other professional societies and can bring insights from other organizations to discussions on the board. As an SPE Director, education of the next generation and sharing best practices in plastics sustainability will be my main areas of focus.