Mark Waterbury

Mark Waterbury earned B.S. degrees in chemistry and materials science, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in materials science from Michigan State University. Since his doctoral dissertation was done on polymer composite materials, he promptly went to work as a scientist working on their near opposite, metal matrix composites, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There, he developed image analysis tools and other experimental techniques.

Wright-Patt, the epicenter of research for the U.S. Air Force, is one of the largest laboratory complexes in the world, with tens of thousands of researchers and support staff. While at WPAFB, Dr. Waterbury worked right up the hill from the infamous Hangar 19 of UFO lore fame, an experience he captured in a semi-autobiographical novel, Existence Simplified and the Butterfly Effect.

After leaving Wright-Patt, Dr. Waterbury moved to a major contract engineering firm where he managed or participated in projects covering a wide range of technologies, including managing a politically charged, multi-million dollar project to develop titanium matrix composite jet turbine rotors. The entertainment value of those political dimensions led him to move to become CTO of two successive companies, managing similarly sensitive projects in the crime prevention arena, and reviewing a range of technologies for some of the largest consumer products companies in the world.

Dr. Waterbury has also developed some consumer products himself, including a high brightness phosphorescent panel, high traction polymer golf spikes, and vertical aeroponic gardens that can turn blank walls into lush garden spaces.

Having witnessed and participated in many meetings and discussions that lie along the interface between science and the worlds of business and people, Dr. Waterbury brings a unique, informed, and carefully reasoned perspective to every subject he explores.