Michael Grzenda is a materials researcher with a passion for applying STEM solutions to the real world, and he is always ready to learn new things.His research career began working with Prof. Jared Medina, in a cognitive neuroscience lab, studying tactile localization and body representation in individuals with brain-damage. Although his research interests have changed, these experiences have been critical for maintaining an interdisciplinary perspective when researching. During his first PhD project, advised by Prof. Jonathan P. Singer, he collaborated with SubUAS LLC to develop a novel, low-density, nanocomposite for waterproofing electronics on an autonomous air-to-deep-sea drone. This coating was used to waterproof the first aerial aquatic vehicle to reach depths of 1000 feet. He also learned to take project ownership and responsibility in the dynamic environment afforded by a start-up. Later, his research into coatings evolved to focus on electrospray deposition where he studied micro-scale patterning and surface functionalization using nanocomposite sprays with 2D MXene materials. Throughout his graduate school career, he has gained experience managing both day-to-day project activities as well as 5 undergraduate and 3 masters students. Notably, he also conceptualized and wrote a pre-proposal for a project using electrospray to grow plants in space with ultra-low water usage, which was later funded by NASA. Most recently, as part of a National Science Foundation Internship Experience, he has worked at Veeco Instruments Inc., an international corporation, where he modeled and characterized stress and failure mechanisms in GaN on Si wafers.
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FounderPlumajet Sep 2024 - PresentGreater Nyc Area -
Activate FellowActivate Jun 2024 - PresentFounded in 2015, Activate empowers scientists and engineers to reinvent the world by launching startups to address climate change and other global challenges. Working between government, philanthropy, universities, and the private sector, Activate transforms scientists and engineers into high-impact entrepreneurs through the Activate Fellowship, a two-year immersive experience that equips science entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, infrastructure, and funding they need to quickly and… Show more Founded in 2015, Activate empowers scientists and engineers to reinvent the world by launching startups to address climate change and other global challenges. Working between government, philanthropy, universities, and the private sector, Activate transforms scientists and engineers into high-impact entrepreneurs through the Activate Fellowship, a two-year immersive experience that equips science entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, infrastructure, and funding they need to quickly and effectively bring their groundbreaking research to market. Activate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and does not charge any fee nor equity for fellows to participate. Activate’s entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, founding Activate partner and the first U.S. Department of Energy's Lab Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) started at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Activate supports fellows in communities across the U.S.: Activate Berkeley, Activate Boston, Activate New York, Activate Houston, and Activate Anywhere. Learn more at Activate.org. Show less -
Postdoctoral AssociateRutgers University Feb 2023 - Jul 2024Piscataway, New Jersey, United States• Spearheaded commercialization and technology transfer efforts for novel electrospray technology, securing a total of $60k to support this work and enhancing product development and project management skills.• Directed a team of 3 as the Entrepreneurial Lead in the NSF National I-Corps Program and honed technical communication conducting 100+ customer discovery interviews over 7 weeks to explore product-market fit. Exploration included several industries and required technical… Show more • Spearheaded commercialization and technology transfer efforts for novel electrospray technology, securing a total of $60k to support this work and enhancing product development and project management skills.• Directed a team of 3 as the Entrepreneurial Lead in the NSF National I-Corps Program and honed technical communication conducting 100+ customer discovery interviews over 7 weeks to explore product-market fit. Exploration included several industries and required technical discussions spanning all levels of expertise.• Collaborated with SOSV’s Hax, a venture capital group, resulting in the development of a pitch deck and prototype showcasing technology capabilities and outlining an innovative $300M market opportunity.• Devised a strategy for a spray system safety upgrade for 5 experimental stations, as well as a lab clean-up and audit. Coordinated the activities of 4 graduate and 6 undergraduate students to implement this overhaul and secured swift Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety approval. Show less -
Graduate AssistantRutgers University Sep 2018 - Jan 2023• Led formulation and characterization of a novel, lightweight epoxy nanocomposite material, protecting the electronics of the first autonomous unmanned air-water vehicle to reach 1000 ft of ocean depth, in collaboration with a start-up, SubUAS LLC.• Engineered functional nanocomposite coatings able to upgrade prepatterned devices through a maskless process using a novel technology, self-limiting electrospray deposition. In one instance, a 15-minute ambient spray let to a 450x increase… Show more • Led formulation and characterization of a novel, lightweight epoxy nanocomposite material, protecting the electronics of the first autonomous unmanned air-water vehicle to reach 1000 ft of ocean depth, in collaboration with a start-up, SubUAS LLC.• Engineered functional nanocomposite coatings able to upgrade prepatterned devices through a maskless process using a novel technology, self-limiting electrospray deposition. In one instance, a 15-minute ambient spray let to a 450x increase in capacitance.• Conceptualized and authored a pre-proposal outlining a system for growing plants in space via electrospray that was ultimately funded by NASA ($225k) and led to patent prosecution. Show less -
Entrepreneurial LeadNsf National I-Corps Program May 2023 - Jul 2023
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Technology InternVeeco Sep 2022 - Jan 2023Somerset, New Jersey, United States• Acquired industrial experience and strengthened technical characterization and deposition skills investigating the root-cause of fracture in GaN on Si wafers fabricated via MOCVD.• Modeled interlayer strain behavior to improve resistance to fracture. -
Audio Visual TechnicianUniversity Of Delaware Feb 2014 - May 2016Newark, DelawareWorked with UD Student Center customers to provide quality sound and video support for performance acts and presentations. -
Research VolunteerJared Medina'S Cognitive Neuroscience Lab Sep 2013 - May 2016Newark, DelawareDesigned experiments, coded and analyzed data, and ran experiments on brain damaged and normal subjects for studies relating to touch and body representations.Presented poster entitled Biases in tactile localization subsequent to cortical damage at the 2016 Cognitive Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting.
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Research AssistantDelaware Inbre Jun 2015 - Aug 2015Newark, DelawareWorked full time in Jared Medina's Cognitive Neuroscience Lab analyzing data from stoke patients using linear mixed models in R.
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Research AssistantUniversity Of Delaware Summer Scholars Jun 2014 - Aug 2014Newark, DelawareWorked full time in Jared Medina's Cognitive Neuroscience Lab writing novel Matlab programs to automate data coding and analyze collected data.
Michael Grzenda Education Details
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Materials Science -
4.0 Gpa
Frequently Asked Questions about Michael Grzenda
What company does Michael Grzenda work for?
Michael Grzenda works for Plumajet
What is Michael Grzenda's role at the current company?
Michael Grzenda's current role is Activate Fellow, Activate New York.
What schools did Michael Grzenda attend?
Michael Grzenda attended Rutgers University–new Brunswick, Rutgers University, University Of Delaware.
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MICHAEL GRZENDA
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Michael Grzenda
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