Susan Rhodes, Ph.D.
About Susan Rhodes, Ph.D.
Susan Rhodes, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist at Polytek Development Corp with extensive experience in silicone rubber chemistry and formulation. She has held various roles in research and development across multiple companies, contributing to significant advancements in materials science and product commercialization.
Work at Polytek Development
Susan Rhodes has been employed at Polytek Development Corp as a Senior Scientist since 2019. In this role, she focuses on silicone rubber chemistry and formulation. Her expertise contributes to the development of innovative products and processes within the company, enhancing its position in the market.
Previous Experience in the Industry
Prior to her current position, Susan Rhodes held various roles in the chemical and materials science sectors. She worked as a Chlorosilane Specialist at Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation from 2011 to 2014 and served as a Senior Research Scientist at Avery Dennison from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, she was a Global Technology Platform Leader at Avery Dennison from 2014 to 2017 and a Senior Consultant at Dan T. Moore Companies for two months in 2019.
Education and Expertise
Susan Rhodes holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from The University of Akron, an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Saint Joseph, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Siena College. She is recognized as a subject matter expert in silicone rubber chemistry and formulation, and she has extensive experience in research and development.
Achievements in Product Development
Throughout her career, Susan Rhodes has made significant contributions to product development. She reverse engineered and reformulated the StoneCoat Epoxy Product Line, resulting in $55 million in sales revenue in its first year. Additionally, she designed silicone putty formulations for casting applications and improved the performance of silicone bases through innovative formulation and process redesign.
Technical Skills and Leadership
Susan Rhodes has demonstrated strong technical skills, including proficiency in using TA Instruments TGA 5500, DHR-20, and DSC-250. She has also utilized MiniTab for statistical analysis to support data-driven decision-making. In her previous roles, she mentored technical staff across multiple locations, showcasing her leadership capabilities in research and development.