Meet Tesha Alston Dampier. As a senior quality engineer at 3M, Tesha is responsible for providing quality assurance, quality systems, and regulatory support for current and new product initiatives. Her current project focuses on the development of filtration systems designed to simplify biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Fascinated with the body and how blood clotted, Tesha has been interested in biology and science for as long as she can remember. Growing up, she was fortunate to have been exposed to programs designed to inspire and equip youth to pursue a future in science, engineering, and mathematics which allowed her to nurture her deep love and curiosity for science and math studies at a young age. 

Tesha’s passion for science and the importance of STEM careers in solving everyday problems, is further demonstrated by her volunteer efforts to promote science education and diversity in STEM careers within her community. 

Tesha graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science in bio medical science and received her master’s degree in biological sciences and public health from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Meet Ross Behling. As a senior research specialist in the Corporate Research Material Laboratory, Ross has dedicated his career to polymerizing, characterizing, and commercializing novel pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs). Ross is a well-regarded subject matter expert in rheology who is often called upon to consult on projects across the company. Ross has worked with numerous divisions across 3M to develop new-to-the-world products from optically clear adhesives to robotically applied appliance assembly adhesives to thermal management adhesives for battery bonding. Through this work, he holds many patents under his name.

Ross believes in the power of education to improve lives which he also puts into practice through his volunteer work. He has participated in the 3M TECH (Teams Encouraging Career Horizons) program to encourage high school students to pursue STEM careers. He also co-chaired the PSA Symposium (a part of the 3M Tech Forum) for three years and served on the steering committee for seven years, and currently sits on the board of his daughter's school. 

Ross holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University and a B.S. in chemical engineering from Northwestern University.

Meet Ian Cummings. As an advanced systems engineer in the Corporate Research Systems Lab at 3M, Ian builds systems that design and improve new components for applications such as high-power wireless power transfer and 5G wireless communication using automated design techniques that incorporate AI, data science, physics, and mathematics.

In addition to being in the lab, Ian is a competitive arcade gamer and enjoys reading science non-fiction, watching anime and sci-fi, and coding. Ian volunteers annually as a judge at the Minnesota Regional Science and Engineering Fair. He also visits high school classes with 3M TECHTalks to share his love for physics, math, and computer science with prospective future scientists.

Ian graduated with a B.S. in physics from Augsburg University. His most recent achievements include the 2021 Circle of Technical Excellence & Innovation Division Team Award.

Meet Döne Demirgöz. As a 3M research specialist in the Corporate Research Systems Lab, Döne knows that science does not happen only in the lab. Her quest for science, knowledge, and creating revolutionary new products and solutions for both 3M and its customers, has led her to many roles at 3M, ranging from – her studies and time in the material and digital labs, to customer insights roles to learn root problems to solve, to supply chain to ensure new product materials get to where they need for final creation.

Döne's passion for science and engineering is also demonstrated through her work with younger generations. She is a member of 3M TECH (Technical teams Encouraging Career Horizons), a program for middle and high school-aged students focused on the importance of higher education, and is involved in Girls in Action, a mentoring program that is designed to influence the next generation of high school girls in their academic careers.

Döne received her Ph.D. in optical biosensors from the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research and Johannes Guttenberg University in Mainz, Germany and her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey.

Meet Jeffrey Emslander. As a staff scientist in the 3M Corporate Research Process Laboratory, Emslander develops processes to reimagine what we can do with polymers (plastics), focusing on tapes and films. The impact of his research has helped 3M use less energy in the making of products and reduce emissions to the environment.

During his 37-year tenure at 3M, Jeff has developed innovative technologies for the graphics market, including decorative film and advertising for cars, trucks, buildings, and new products for consumers and the packaging market. He is active in the 3M Tech Forum, currently serving as the senior scientist representative to the Polymer and Laser Processing Chapters. Jeff holds 49 patents, with many more pending.

Passionate about cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, Jeff is highly active in mentoring new 3M scientists, has sponsored a 4-H STEM project for inner-city youth, and has judged science fairs. 

Jeff earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Meet PJ Flanigan. As a senior technical manager in the Consumer Health and Safety Division at 3M, PJ leads cross-functional new product development, team building, coordination, and research initiatives and oversees an international R&D group of 14 scientists and engineers. She is currently working within dentistry and with 3M international teams to produce products and ensure their successful launch into the market. She notes her contributions to dentistry research and how teeth can repair themselves as her greatest professional accomplishment. In her 22 years at 3M, she has mentored many colleagues and team members across various programs and divisions. 

PJ's love for science developed at a young age and has led her to want to spark that same level of interest and curiosity in other young minds. She volunteers as a Visiting Wizard to local elementary schools showcasing science demonstrations and hands-on activities. PJ has also served on the Board of Directors at the Math and Science Academy High School in Minnesota. When not working, PJ enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her family. 

PJ earned her bachelor's in Chemistry from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Meet Rohit Gupta. As a research specialist in the Corporate Materials Research Laboratory, Rohit works with teams throughout 3M to develop sustainable release solutions for various industrial and consumer products. His research focuses on developing waterborne and fluorine-free release material alternatives to support 3M's corporate commitment to reduce solvent usage and eliminate hazardous chemicals in diverse release applications.

Rohit is passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for science with the next generation. He served as a judge for the 3M Innovation Award at the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair and has mentored young scientists as part of several STEM mentoring initiatives. He has been an active member of the 3M Tech Forum community, serving as the Corporate Materials Research Laboratory senator for two years and chair of the Education Committee. He has multiple patents pending and won the Circle of Technical Experience & Innovation Award for his work.

Rohit holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has a B.S.-M.S. in Chemical Sciences from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata, India. He enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and traveling when he is not in the lab.

Meet Stephanie Owen. As a product development engineer in the Electronics Materials Solutions Division at 3M, Stephanie invents, prototypes, and launches innovative new products to enable the high-speed data center market. She leads new-to-the-world global projects, including her recent work on 3MTM Expanded Beam Optics technology. She also contributes to various interconnect technologies, including copper and optical data transmission. 

When Stephanie is not developing new products, she spends her time reading thriller novels, trying new foods, traveling, and observing the rich biodiversity under the waves while scuba diving. Stephanie also volunteers with GirlStart to empower K-12 girls to embrace the importance of STEM through demonstrations, workshops, and experiments and uses her unique perspective to help build a more inclusive workplace for all through D&I workshops.

Stephanie graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Master of Science in mechanical engineering and received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. 

Meet Kannan Seshadri. As an advanced product development specialist in the Stationery and Office Supplies Division, Kannan applies materials science and manufacturing to products that require out-of-the-box thinking to solve real-world problems. Over the course of his career, Kannan has served as group and project lead and has managed cross-functional teams at 3M to develop new products and platforms. Kannan’s expertise spans abrasives, ultra-thin polymer films, energy conservation and management, microfluidic devices, sustainability, bio-based polymers, filtration/separations technologies for air, water, and gas, and biopharmaceutical production. He holds 50 patents in biotech/biopharma, filtration, optical films, abrasives, and consumer products.

When not in the lab, Kannan enjoys reading, hiking/backpacking, biking, and mentoring the next generation of STEM leaders. Kannan participates in youth-focused programs such as 3M Visiting Wizards, 3M STEP, 3M TWIST, is an active scout leader, and is a member of the President’s Cabinet of the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a mentor to students in the classroom to help promote science literacy, awareness, and education. Kannan serves on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Academy of Science and as a judge at the Minnesota State Science and Engineering Fair and the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair.

Kannan earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State University and his post-doctorate from the University of Minnesota in Materials Science and Engineering.

Meet Patrick Zimmerman. As a division scientist in the Global Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division, Patrick brings over 38 years of experience in technical/project management and application engineering to the automotive, adhesives, and aerospace businesses at 3M. His tenure also expands into aircraft interior manufacturing and material needs, including cabin fire safety. Currently, Patrick’s work focuses on building a robust understanding of elements in automation and end-effectors in the application of adhesives, adhesive tapes, and films.

Patrick has served as a leader across various projects, including lab management, customer interactions, regulatory body interactions, cross-functional leadership, and product and application development. He’s also led several 3M technology steering committees, chaired 3M Tech Forum and Tech Forum chapters, and provided mentoring to new and existing employees. He has also participated in the 3M Visiting Wizards program.

Patrick earned his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Marquette University.