Meet our amazing team

Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Sonoma State University, California, and several US Patents and patent awards. Doug’s expertise, with over thirty years of battery experience, is in Business Development. Doug is the heart and soul of Polaris, and sets the amiable culture for the lab and office.

What’s your background?

I have an MS in renewable energy engineering and I’ve been working in battery R&D since 2017. That means I’m very at home in the lab. But I also have experience as a business strategy consultant and managing director of a cleantech marketing agency. So I can help on any aspect of battery development – from hands-on lab work, to business plans and marketing.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

Helping develop new business lines and championing our marketing and sales department. Because I work both in and out of the lab, I’ll be able to answer a lot of your questions. And if I can’t, I’ll definitely know someone who can!

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

Everyone at Polaris is a true scientist at heart. We’re all genuinely interested in new technologies. It’s so exciting to see cutting-edge innovations come through our labs, and to help our customers with these advancements. There’s nothing quite like seeing a customer reach commercialization and start selling their products.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

I’m an avid yogi, so most days you can catch me participating in or teaching yoga classes in Beaverton. When I’m not doing that, chances are my husband and I will be hiking, paddleboarding, and soaking up the beautiful PNW with our daughter and two crazy huskies. 

What’s your background?

My background’s in chemistry: I have a BS from Bates College and an MS with a focus on semiconductor device processing from the University of Oregon’s Materials Science Institute.  For the past 12 years (9 of which have been with Polaris), I’ve worked in renewable energy generation and energy storage. Before shifting to energy, I was an analytical chemist at Pfizer’s Global R&D Headquarters.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

My role has recently shifted toward technical consulting, project design and management, data interpretation, and client communications. My prior specialties included slurry process engineering, electrode formulation development, electrochemical characterization of novel materials, and custom battery prototype design and construction. 

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

I learn something new almost every day. I enjoy the challenge of learning about our customers’ novel technologies, helping to determine exactly what they need, and figuring out how Polaris can help them reach their next milestone. I also really enjoy the team dynamic and I appreciate each of my coworkers.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

Playing with my kids, hiking, exploring, going to see live music, and planning our next adventure with my wife.

B.S. in Microbiology from Oregon State University. She has diverse experience that she has applied at Polaris to help implement new processes. She is frequently found hiking and at various plant shops around Portland

What’s your background?

A mix of radio and organic chemistry from University of Missouri Kansas City. We used positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to probe whether left-handed organic molecules were more stable than right-handed ones, and work out the potential implications for the origin of life. It was very motivating work but hard to find funding.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

Mainly slurry rheology and coating. Studying a slurry’s rheological behavior and working out how much you can influence it to coat a more well-behaved and even electrode gives me a fascinating set of problems to work with.

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

The relaxed start-up culture and the range of problems we tackle with each project. We constantly see new things, which gives us insights that might not exist in very many other labs.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

As a transplant from Kansas City with no family in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve been focusing a lot on work-life balance and fostering a healthy and well-connected community. I also do various athletic activities like weight training and relays (HTC, Ragnar) with friends.

What’s your background?

I have a BS in experimental physics and an MS in renewable energy engineering with a focus on energy storage. I was fortunate enough to intern with Polaris during my master’s program and eventually ended up joining the company. I’ve been working in battery R&D since 2015.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

I recently moved into operations management, but before that I was focused on cell teardowns and failure analysis. I also spend a lot of time in process development and improvement.

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

The variety of projects we’re involved with. We get to see so many new ideas and approaches to batteries. It really forces you to stretch your brain.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

I’m an avid sailor and backpacker. And I’ve recently caught the fly fishing bug, so that’s something else I’ll be exploring!

What’s your background?

I studied chemistry at Portland State University after receiving an associate degree in civil engineering from Portland Community College. After I got my BS in chemistry, I went on to pursue an MS in chemistry, with a focus on water-based nanoparticle synthetic techniques.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

My initial focus was on graphite anode batch qualification. But I’ve since moved into Li-ion battery cell design, looking at standard cathode/anode materials and some alternatives to standard graphite anodes. I’ve also been delving into more unique battery chemistries, such as Li-S cells, coated separator materials, and even K-ion cathode materials. I’d say I’m a sort of “Jack of all trades” here, because I’ve had the pleasure to work on such a wide variety of projects.

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

I get to work in an industry that I’ve wanted to be in ever since I started my journey into chemistry. The global energy sector is vast and unique, and as a scientist working in battery technology development, I’m right in the middle of it all. It’s a pretty special experience, especially because I also get to work with such an amazing team.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

Playing video/tabletop games or doing some dungeon-crawling with friends in a session of DnD. I also enjoy listening to podcasts and watching sci-fi, fantasy, and horror movies and shows. Plus, I’m a metalhead, through and through. So you can often find me in a crowded, dingy club catching some of my favorite death metal bands.

What’s your background?

I have nearly a decade of experience in rapid prototyping and product design, and I’ve spent a lot of time working with fabrication partners on a range of projects. I do a lot of 3D CAD design with a focus on hard goods and mechanical solutions.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

Process development, which includes custom fixture design and flexible tooling design. I’ve assisted in developing everything from simple battery cell test fixtures, to entire work cells requiring unique assembly environments.

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

There are many great things about working at Polaris, including the culture and exciting projects. Polaris is a unique company that excels at problem solving, and often works with large companies on exciting cutting-edge technologies. But I’d say the best thing about working here is that our management understands both the value of its employees, and that good ideas can come from anyone.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

In the summer, I love taking my two goofball dogs to the beach with my wife. In the winter, you might catch me getting my shred on at Timberline or perusing the shelves at Powell’s Books with a cup of coffee downtown.

1. What’s your background? I got a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science Engineering from Washington State University. I chose this field to contribute to the ever-advancing need for new materials, ultimately increasing the quality of life for all. 
2. What do you specialize in at Polaris? I’m currently a Laboratory Technician, building batteries at the specification of Battery Scientists. Running testing programs on these builds to observe electrochemical performance for our customers. Project lead on internal Polaris studies such as our NMC 532 baseline development as well as a calendaring/porosity study. 
3. What’s your favorite thing about working here? My favorite thing about working for Polaris Battery Labs is working with developmental materials and the practical problems that come with that. As well as contributing to the effort for a greener economy, being conscientious of the state of the environment on our planet. Lithium-ion batteries are fascinating to say the least. 
4. What can we catch you doing outside of work? In my free time I like watching sci-fi movies and shows, listening to live music whenever I get the chance. 

What’s your background?

I have a BS in physics and have been working for various research labs since 2019. I have a broad set of skills from my time on so many projects, with the most experience in material characterization, process development, and data analysis. I’ve also spent most of my life involved with some sort of teaching, whether as an art camp counselor, a tutor, or presenting on experiments. 

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

I’ve helped develop our wound cell build process, and as a lab tech I do a wide range of other work to make batteries, test materials, and help with production lines. I love to get hands-on in the lab and solve all the little puzzles that come with new experiments. I’m also creating a customized data handling system so that the transition from gathering results to analyzing them is as smooth as possible.

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

The effort every member of the team puts in to support everyone else makes Polaris such a welcoming place. The collaborative environment allows us to conduct a multi-disciplined investigation on each project we take on.

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

I generally fill my days by trying to stop my cats from eating my embroidery supplies, picking away at one of many half-finished coding projects, or scanning shelves at used bookstores and thrift shops.

What’s your background?

I have an B.S. in Biochemistry from Portland State University. I worked with the Goforth and Strongin labs at PSU in addition to the Gibbs Lab at OHSU while completing my degree. I worked as an R & D Polymer Chemist in the Paintings and Coatings industry in the years leading up to my role at Polaris.

What do you specialize in at Polaris?

Working in the capacity of a Laboratory Technician, I provide support to the team. I assist with various aspects of projects including mixing and coating, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting.

What’s your favorite thing about working here?

My favorite thing about working at Polaris is engaging with a thoughtful, focused, dedicated, and supportive team…and, of course, being greeted by the office dogs!

What can we catch you doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy going on hikes, camping, paddleboarding, socializing with friends and pets, playing board games, as well as working on hobbies and crafts.

Office Dog, winner of the prestigious Attaboy Award, as well as First Prize Holder in the brat eating contest. Felix focuses on morale and greeting guests with a friendly wag. He specializes in playing chase around the tables. Just TRY to catch him!