Rapid Prototype and Manufacturing (rp+m) has hired Tracy Albers, Ph. D., as Vice President, Innovation and Technology.  She is a proven technology leader with extensive experience in the materials development space.  At rp+m, Dr. Albers and her team will define and execute on the intellectual property and technology development strategies to position rp+m for long term growth.  Dr. Albers has nearly a decade of experience in the manufacturing industry most recently serving as Director of Research and Development for a $1.5B global materials company.  Her experience ranges from raw material qualification through product development and commercialization – both from the business and technology perspective.

“We are excited to be able to have someone of Dr. Albers’ caliber join our team.  Her materials science expertise, leadership abilities and diverse accomplishments in large-scale R&D organizations make her uniquely qualified to lead rp+m’s newly created innovation and technology group.  Tracy is joining us at a critical time.  Our early work with grants from America Makes and Ohio Third Frontier allowed us to establish rp+m as a materials and technology leader in additive manufacturing. As this technology advances from prototype to production parts, Tracy’s expertise in technology enabled manufacturing will ensure we continue our rapid growth,” states Tony Hughes, President and CTO of rp+m.

Dr. Albers received her Ph.D. degree in Physical Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006 and two BS degrees in Chemistry and Exercise Physiology from Baldwin-Wallace College.  Her graduate research focused on the activation of metal oxide surfaces to enable photocatalytic reactions. Dr. Albers has over 20 technical publications, 6 patents or patent pending applications and is involved in various professional groups, including the American Nuclear Society, ASTM International, and the American Chemical Society.  Dr. Albers is on the Board of Directors for the Carbon Fiber Composite Consortium, centered at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She has also served as the Secretary to the D02.F Committee on Graphite and Nuclear Graphite applications for ASTM International since 2009. Dr. Albers was recently recognized as a leader for women in manufacturing, receiving a STEP Award from the Manufacturing Institute in February 2013.

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www.rpplusm.com