Dr. Sara Tabandeh
WBI | Director of Research Programs
Dr. Sara Tabandeh joined WBI in July 2022, bringing a broad range of experience in materials design and formulation. Sara’s academic and industrial activities prior to joining WBI led to remarkable successes in controlling the structure and properties of polymeric materials with a focus on peptide and urethane-based systems. She received her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Central Florida and her BS and MS in Polymer Engineering from the Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic). Sara is passionate about developing sustainable products and using science-based approaches to address environmental challenges.
Brandon Ackley
WBI | Director of Lab Operations
Noir Materials | Founder & VP of Advanced Materials
Dr. Brandon Ackley joined WBI in early 2022 and brings broad experience in synthetic chemistry, specifically in catalysis and organometallic chemistry, as well as aerospace-relevant high-temperature materials. Brandon started his career as an intern at WBI in 2014, where he first learned about green chemistry and grew his passion for environmentalism and education. The internship at WBI sparked his interest into studying catalysis and materials which he studied both as a graduate student and during his time as a contractor with ARCTOS working at the Air Force Research Labs. Brandon is passionate about environmental issues and innovative chemistry and sees WBI as the best place to work to be involved with both. Brandon received his Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry from the University of Vermont and his B.S. in Chemistry from Bridgewater State University.
Chris Livesey
WBI | Senior Scientist
Noir Materials | CTO of Noir Materials
Chris Livesey joined WBI in 2021, bringing with him a wide range of experience from different parts of the chemical industry. Prior to joining WBI, Chris has had a proven track record of success in everything from product development and commercialization to synthesis and chemical characterization. Chris is driven by the thrill of innovation and is inspired by the urgent need for modern sustainable chemistry. Chris received his B. Sc. In Biochemistry from Rowan University.
Alex Hsu
WBI | Senior Scientist
Noir Materials | Founder & VP of Formulated Polymers
Alex Hsu joined WBI in 2021, bringing with him interdisciplinary research experience in polymer chemistry, materials science, and biotechnology. Prior to joining WBI, Alex’s research focused on the synthesis and characterization of polymeric prodrug materials for central nervous system injuries. He is excited to be at the forefront in the development of sustainable technologies to help bring awareness and advance the field of green chemistry. Alex received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and his M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Dr. Upamanyu Ray
WBI | Senior Scientist
Upamanyu Ray joined WBI in November 2023. Originally a Mechanical Engineer, Upamanyu began his career in power plants after earning his B.S. from Jadavpur University in India. His journey then took him to Iowa State University, where he explored the intersection of Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering for the first time. His M.S. research focused on thermal transport in carbon nanotubes and graphene, and simultaneously sparked his passion for renewable materials. Later, this led him to earn his Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, where he researched mechanics of sustainable nanocellulose-based materials. Upamanyu has also collaborated with the construction industry to create lightweight, strong structural materials and worked as a Materials Engineer at Saint Gobain in Malvern, PA. In a nutshell, Upamanyu is passionate about innovative material design strategies that make a difference!
Dr. Kateland Herault
WBI | Senior Scientist
Dr. Kateland Herault joined WBI in April 2023, bringing expertise in the design, synthesis and purification of small molecules. Her experience in small molecules synthesis ranges from high-throughput chemistry (ArQule), custom synthesis for pharmaceutical clients (Organix, Prime Organics, Johnson Mathey Pharma Services), to dyes (Polaroid, Zink Imaging, Ambient Photonics). Kateland received her Ph.D. from New York University in organic synthesis and her B.S. from Universite Paris VI, Paris, France in organic synthesis. She is interested in bringing sustainable green chemistry to today’s synthetic chemistry challenges.
Chris Tatters
Noir Materials | Research Engineer
Chris Tatters joined WBI in early 2024, bringing with him research experience in polymer characterization and formulation. Prior to joining WBI, Chris’ work was focused on characterizing off the shelf polymers and additives for foam injection molding applications. His interest in sustainable solutions was the driving force for joining WBI. Chris received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Cindy Yao
WBI | Associate Scientist
Cindy Yao first joined WBI in the summer of 2022 as an intern. After obtaining her B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, she joined WBI as a full-time employee in August 2023. She first learned about green chemistry in her organic chemistry lab, and she was inspired by hearing about the scientists who are fighting for a cleaner planet. Cindy assists the senior scientists with many aspects of projects, from polymer synthesis to various modes of analysis. She is eager to use her passion for chemistry to make a better world for the next generation.
In Memoriam…
Dr. Frederick Richard “Rich” Kearney
March 16, 1962 — July 19, 2023
Dr. Kearney joined WBI in early 2012 as an experienced polymer chemist with expertise in polymer coatings, imaging systems utilizing polymers, and analysis of polymers and polymer-containing materials and products. In the 11 years as a chemist at WBI, Dr. Kearney contributed considerably to the company and the scientific field alike. He was very beloved by his coworkers and colleagues because he deeply inspired us all with his kindness, his astounding wisdom, and his love for science. Rich started his career at Polaroid Corporation in the R&D and the graphics imaging division working on polarizer research and the development of formulas for a digital printing plate system. From there, he worked at Presstek for 15 years focusing much of his research on coatings technology. Rich received his B.Sci. from the University of California, Riverside, and his M.Sci. and Ph.D. from Cornell University.
Why Green Chemistry?
In Rich’s own words…
“I entered the professional world of Chemistry when there was no name for ‘Green Chemistry’ – but a noticeable perspective was developing in the field that would allow the idea of Green practices to blossom. We were already aware of the more negative environmental aspects of the use of chemistry – pollution, environmental impact, human impact – and there was a slowly growing focus on containment and prevention of hazards that was beginning to be the word of the day. Many of us younger scientists at the time were starting to be indoctrinated into a new sense of responsibility about how we practiced our profession. This was the beginning of an evolutionary process that led to the very idea of Green Chemistry itself – and like others in my generation, I was already primed to accept it for the good idea it is, once it had been fully articulated. My response to the idea of Green Chemistry was not so much, ‘Wow, what a great new perspective!’ as much as ‘Well, it’s about time!’”
