Michael Strand Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

US

Boulder, CO, US

• Raised >$18M to fund climate technology startup based on exceptional PhD and strong founding team
• Built strong relationship with partner valued >$6B through effective presentations and reports
• Saved >$450k in capex through efficient budget management, outsourcing, and strategic decisions
• Scaled team from 6 to 22 employees in <9 months
• Clearly communicated strategy and key decisions to board of directors and other stakeholders

• Led a multi-institution, $500k grant to research and design a breakthrough dynamic window technology
• Managed communication and collaboration across multiple sub-projects to meet aggressive milestones
• Applied quantitative analysis and research methodologies to make 36-fold improvement in device scale
• Work highlighted in >30 media outlets including Nature, Science, and Cell, 6 patents, 12 publications

• Research Project: Optimized Fabrication of Aligned, Long-Channel Carbon Nanotube Transistors for use in Next-Generation Electronics
• Developed non-destructive sorting process to produce ultrahigh purity, defect-free semiconducting carbon nanotube inks for use in electronic devices
• Fabricated TFTs with breakthrough performance, highest mobility devices to date
• Optimized carbon nanotube alignment process called dose-controlled floating evaporative assembly for reproducible deposition of dense, highly-aligned films over a large surface area
• Proficient in materials characterization techniques: SEM, OM, AFM, XRD, Profilometry, Spectroscopy
• Performed fundamental studies to elucidate the mechanism that drives the novel alignment process

• Three-week, middle school summer workshop for underrepresented students focused on engineering, and energy sustainability funded under NSF grant.
• Organized 3-week curriculum about solar and wind energy with emphasis on design projects, scientific note-keeping, and understanding of fundamental concepts
• Imparted increased conceptual understanding of curriculum goals as measured through pre- and post-assessment exams
• Fostered appreciation of the importance of sustainable energy technology, and its development as a potential career path in the STEM field

• Senior Project: Investigation of Nanoporous Structures Formed After Oxidation of Molybdenum Alloys
• Performed experimental design surrounding processing parameters for process optimization
• Metallographic preparation of molybdenum alloys for oxidative processing
• Relevant tools and skills: Furnace control for oxidative process, Electrical discharge machining of molybdenum superalloys, Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy for oxide analysis

• Hatched the idea and then facilitated the design and implementation of MSE 401: Art, Materials and Design, a technical elective that serves as a bridge between the engineering and arts programs on campus. Course is now.
• Used employment at Engineering Career Services to develop greater representation of Materials Engineering students in the employer market

• Published paper in Journal of Crystal Growth as co-author (see below)
• Calculated lattice strain and epilayer tilt in InGaAs devices grown on GaAs substrates by developing reciprocal space maps using single crystal X-ray Diffractometry, then correlated the results with the growth conditions
• Characterized samples using a variety of microscopy techniques (AFM, SEM, OM) to develop supporting data for growth-related surface features and defects
• Performed extensive analysis on a large number of samples with varied substrate alignment, multi-layer growth conditions, and compositional gradients

• Staff the ECS front desk and field questions from students, employers, faculty and alumni
• Advise students and alumni regarding employment opportunities, interviews, resumes, and leadership
• Assist student leaders with financial processes and planning

Milwaukee, WI, US

I developed a method for process/quality systems improvement relating to Brady's suite of colored printer ribbons. I prepared and analyzed twenty different colored inks and used drawdowns and spectrophotometry to develop standard operating procedures for each color. Brady operators and engineers currently have to adjust color once the coating process has.

• Tutor first-generation college students in Engineering Mechanics and second-semester Calculus courses
• Prepare lesson plans for biweekly meetings
• Discuss career opportunities and future coursework

Madison, WI, US

• Eight, one-week overnight sessions for “first time opportunity”, economically disadvantaged, and diverse 8th and 9th grade students
• Reviewed 350+ applications and enrolled 250 students of which 47% were female
• Managed scholarship distribution to 84% of students
• Recruited, interviewed and hired staff of eighteen counselors and led staff trainings
• Designed and organized weekly curriculum focused on science and engineering education

• Organized, marketed and executed Wilderness First Aid course for Hoofers members and the community
• Revamped position as Education/Risk Management chair to promote education and safety within all Hoofers clubs

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Materials Science And Engineering

Master Of Science - Ms, Materials Science And Engineering

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Materials Science