John Slack
About John Slack
John Slack is a Senior Scientist for Fuel Cell MEA Development at Nikola Motor Company, with a background in Chemical Engineering and extensive experience in research and development.
Current Role at Nikola Motor Company
Since 2019, John Slack has been serving as a Senior Scientist for Fuel Cell MEA Development at Nikola Motor Company in Chandler, Arizona. In this role, he has contributed to the company by being a key developer of Nikola's 5-year Technical MEA Research and Development Roadmap. His work primarily focuses on the development and advancement of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) for heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks.
Educational Background in Chemical Engineering
John Slack has an extensive educational background in chemical engineering. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, where he studied from 2013 to 2019. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at The University of Akron, studying from 2008 to 2013. He also attended Howland High School from 2004 to 2008.
Previous Professional Experience
John Slack has a diverse range of professional experiences. He worked as a Chemical Engineering Co-Op at Bridgestone from 2012 to 2013 and at PolymerPlus LLC for three months in 2011. Additionally, he has experience as a Chemical Engineering Intern at Team Wendy for two months in 2011 and NASA for four months in 2011, all in the Cleveland/Akron, Ohio Area. Slack also has research experience from his time as a Researcher at The University of Akron in 2012.
Grant Authorship and Contributions
John Slack has successfully authored two US Department of Energy grants. These include a $2 million project aimed at developing durable MEAs for heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks and a $1 million project focused on developing membranes for heavy-duty applications, in partnership with Chemours. These grants highlight his significant contributions to fuel cell technology and energy research.
Professional Certifications
John Slack is certified by TÜV SÜD, a Technical Inspection Association based in Munich, Germany. This certification underscores his technical proficiency and commitment to industry standards in his field.