Meet Dr. Mahfuza Ali. Dr. Ali joined the 3M Film and Materials Science Division in 1984 after earning her PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Kentucky and her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Colorado.

She is widely recognized in the global 3M technical community for technology and product development contributions across many business units. She invented and developed a novel Quaternary Ammonium Materials Technology Platform and subsequently developed Antistatic Materials Technology, Antimicrobial Materials Technology, and Acrylic Zwitterionic Amphiphilic Polymer Technology Platforms, which have generated several highly successful commercialized products for 3M. Dr. Ali has co-authored over 60 issued and pending patents that cover a large variety of product applications in multiple markets.

Dr. Ali has received many prestigious 3M Corporate and national awards and honors, including being inducted into the 3M Carlton Society in 2020. The Carlton Society is reserved for the top scientists at 3M, based on scientific prowess, real life applications, and a commitment to mentoring. She was also recently selected as North America’s Top Industrial Chemist for 2020 by the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific community. She is one of only three female Corporate Scientists in the company, which is the highest level for technical employees.

Dr. Ali has been actively involved with the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Competition as a mentor and judge, and she has been serving as a judge for the national Distinguished Young Women of America program for the last several years. She enjoys teaching science classes for high school students, and is a highly-saught-after mentor for many 3M scientists worldwide.

Meet Heidi Alves. Heidi has been a public educator for the past 18 years. After graduating from the University of South Florida with a B.S. in Biology, she began teaching high school Biology in Tampa, Florida. After spending seven years home with her two sons, she moved to Flagler County and taught high school Biology, Pre-IB Biology, and AP Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Marine Science.

Heidi has been a K-12 Science Curriculum Specialist for Flagler County Schools for the last eight years supporting teachers and students with all aspects of science and instructional practices. She loves to help teachers ignite their students' interest in science through inquiry and scientific investigations. Heidi serves on many local and state science committees allowing her opportunities to share her love of science, and the importance it has in our lives. Heidi is an Educational Ambassador for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, a board member for the Florida Association of Science Supervisors, and participates annually on the Biology 1 Statewide Science Assessment Item Review Committee for Florida.

Besides a B.S. in Biology, Heidi has a Masters in Educational Leadership, and is currently working on a Masters in Medical Microbiology.

Meet Ian Bronson. Ian has been an educator for the past 20 years. Starting as a high school science teacher, he has worked in both high schools and middle schools, with experience as a teacher, instructional coach, standardized testing coordinator, and building level principal.

Currently Ian works with the South Washington County School District as a Teaching and Learning Services Supervisor, overseeing Kindergarten through 12th grade instructional practices, state standards, benchmarks, curriculum, and resources. He has lead student trips focused on Marine Biology in the Caribbean including Scuba diving, coached track and field, basketball, and soccer, and has taught all levels of science including Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, and AP Chemistry among other subjects.

Prior to becoming an educator, Ian worked as a Laboratory Technician at Fairview Ridges Hospital and in an Engineering Firm as a land surveyor.

Ian holds undergraduate degrees in Chemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, a Master’s in Education, an Educational Specialists degree in Educational Leadership and is currently working on a doctorate in Education. In addition Ian worked with the TWIST program at 3M in 2012, as a Chemist in the health safety department.

Meet Dr. Caruso Dailey.  From cellphones to vehicles, the science of Dr. Mary Caruso Dailey can be experienced, although you may not be able to see it. As an Advanced Product Development Specialist for the Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division at 3M, Dr. Caruso Dailey is currently leading a team that develops liquid adhesives for new electronics applications. Previously, she developed the film material called Crystal Silk, a durable film composite embedded with tiny glass beads that create a smooth tactile experience and easy-cleaning surface for a variety of touchpad-powered products. Before that, she worked in the Industrial Business Group on epoxy-based structural adhesives that have been brought to life in automotive, aerospace and industrial applications.

Mary has a passion for positively influencing our next generation of scientists. She is currently the Chair of 3M’s Technical Women’s Leadership Forum, working to accelerate the inclusion and advancement of technical women globally to reflect our customers and markets and grow our business. She is actively involved in a number of mentoring opportunities with high school and college students, and has been a Mentor for the Young Scientist Challenge for 6 years. Mary has also served as a science fair judge at both the state and regional levels, volunteered at the Regional Science Bowls, and inspired high-school students through speaking engagements as part of the 3M’s Technical Teams Encouraging Career Horizons (TECH) program. She has also been featured in a 3M’s Science at Home video series, which are experiments that can be done with common household materials with a target audience of school-age children.

Mary earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010 and her B.S. in Chemistry from Elon University in 2006.

Meet Dr. Ann Fornof.  As an inventor with more than 25 granted patents, Dr. Fornof brings practical knowledge of technology development to help 3M business divisions commercialize its innovative products.

As a Senior Research Specialist in 3M’s Electrical Markets Division, Dr. Fornof works with diverse teams of scientists, engineers and other experts from across 3M to develop new technologies that make all sorts of innovative products from dental fillings that are more robust to adhesives that keep fiber optics in place to DIY window film to solvent-free manufacturing of vinyl electrical tape.

Ann is dedicated to spreading her passion for science and helping young people believe they can, too, be successful scientists or engineers. She was a mentor for the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for 4 years, speaks to groups about STEM, and regularly mentors aspiring engineers and scientists. Professionally, Ann is also a strong advocate for scientists and engineers. Ann is currently Past Chair of Women in Chemical Engineering, an American Institute of Chemical Engineers Community. Previously, Ann was chair of 3M’s Tech Forum, where she was responsible for connecting 3M’s technical community, and served as a 3M ambassador at external events to showcase the technical community’s achievements.

Ann holds a Ph.D. in macromolecular science and engineering from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Columbia University. Outside of work, she enjoys chasing after her toddler son and reading!

Meet Amy Gensemer. Amy has 22 years of educational experience in Science, Technology, and Engineering in the classroom and now serves as the Senior Director for K-12 Digital Instruction at Discovery Education.

In her 22 years of education, she has served as a Science, Technology, and Engineering high school classroom teacher, department chair, district curriculum specialist and most recently K-12 Supervisor for Science, Technology, and Engineering for the largest school system in Maryland. Prior to her supervisor position, she designed and delivered Professional Development at the national level and has authored national STEM curriculum products. Currently, Amy serves as the Senior Director for K-12 Digital Instruction at Discovery Education.

Meet Dr. Alireza Kashef-Asgari. Dr. Kashef-Asgari leads the development of innovative respiratory products, that protect the health and safety of millions of workers, all over the world.

Meet Dr. Alireza Kashef-Asgari. As the new product development leader for 3M’s Powered and Supplied Air (P&SA) commercialization team, Dr. Kashef-Asgari understands that a customer’s biggest asset is their workforce. Ali leads a multidisciplinary team that brings together experts within electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, product design, and respiratory science, to create new and innovative Powered Air Purifying Respiratory (PAPR) devices designed to improve the health and safety of workers.

 With a background in computational material science, and alongside a talented team of engineers and designers, Ali is dedicated to providing innovative solutions to solve customers' respiratory protection challenges.

 Ali earned his doctorate in engineering from Deakin University in Australia in 2009. He joined the Personal Safety Division of 3M in 2018, after five years working in and leading multiscale modeling and computational modeling in 3M corporate laboratories.