by Paige Bjerke
IMS Written Communications Assistant
Dr. Jennifer Frias graduated from Simmons University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics before pursuing a polymer science Ph.D. in Professor Douglas Adamson’s group at the UConn Institute of Materials Science Polymer Program. She completed her degree in 2016.
Dr. Frias began her career as a Research Chemist at the chemical company Solvay. She now works as an Advanced Technology Scientist at Nye Lubricants, a manufacturer of specialty lubricants for space applications and other critical applications in the automotive, medical and semiconductor industries.
IMS News reached out to Dr. Frias with a few questions about her experience at UConn and how it applies to her work today.
IMS News: Why did you choose to pursue a Ph.D. in polymer science, and what particularly drew you to UConn’s program?
Frias: “I chose to pursue a Ph.D. in polymer science as I had exposure to polymer synthesis during my undergraduate thesis research at Simmons University. In addition, I participated in a 10-week research experience for undergraduates (REU) at UConn in the IMS Polymer Program in Dr. Adamson’s lab. That experience solidified my decision to pursue further education.”
IMS News: How did the UConn faculty support you while completing your Ph.D. and research?
Frias: “The UConn faculty were very supportive during my Ph.D. coursework and research. They invested in additional study sessions when we were preparing for our cumulative exams, and practice sessions for our oral exams to become a Ph.D. candidate. My advisor, Dr. Adamson, was very supportive, encouraging, and always available to discuss if we had a new idea.”
IMS News: What does your day to day look like in your position with Nye Lubricants?
Frias: “I am an Advanced Technology Scientist looking at next generation technologies to incorporate into our lubricants to enhance performance, offer more sustainable solutions to our customers, and provide a technical advantage over the competition. My day-to-day can vary by working with our internal collaborators, our R&D colleagues, or our external collaborators, such as a university. With being part of the global FUCHS network now, there are additional market segments that we serve, so every day is unique and challenging. The best part is the collaboration among the team.”
IMS News: What industries does your work mostly serve, and where and how might we see your work/creations in everyday life?
Frias: “Our site, based in Fairhaven MA, formulates and manufactures specialty lubricants for automotive, aerospace, aviation, and medical, to name a few. A cool example of where our lubricants end up is our NyeBar® Barrier Film on the Mars Perseverance Rover. Other examples include our damping/motion control lubricants in automotive interior applications such as sunroofs, seat tracks, knobs and shifters.”
IMS News: As an alumna, what advice would you give to aspiring or current polymer science Ph.D. students?
Frias: “My advisor in undergraduate always told me: ‘getting into grad school is the easy part, staying in grad school is the challenge.’ I never knew what that meant until experiencing it for myself. A Ph.D. is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep plugging along, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It will pay off. Dig deep!”