We want to highlight student voices in coatings—the next generation of industry professionals. Their perspectives remind us that the path into this industry is as varied and dynamic as the people who choose it.
For these students, their education in the classroom and lab setting education is only just beginning. Their winding journeys and exposure to industry shape not only their work, but who they become.
We hope you are as impressed with and excited by the energy and forward-looking positiveness in their outlooks as we are. Their thoughtful reflections offer a glimpse into what it means to start a career in a field defined by constant innovation.
If you are interested in mentoring or connecting with the next generation of coatings professionals, we encourage you to reach out—whether to our contributors, to CoatingsTech, to ACA, or to the students you meet at conferences, internships, and industry events.
The future of coatings already seems brighter with these students and countless others eager to help shape it.
Olivia Everitt
CalPoly, San Luis Obispo
How do you see your generation shaping the future of the coatings industry? I believe that once we understand how crucial the coatings industry is to everyday life, my generation will be the ones to leverage that to create a more sustainable, innovative, and accessible future. We’ve grown up with an acute awareness of climate change, resource limitations, and the need for environmentally responsible solutions. … more
Ayda Dadras
North Dakota State University
What drew you to study coatings or materials science specifically? My passion for chemistry began in high school, when I realized it is the science of life, present in everything from the food we eat to the water we drink. This curiosity grew into a passion that led me to study polymer science. Every experiment, every challenge has deepened my appreciation for how coatings and polymers improve our lives. … more
Smarika Neupane
University of Southern Mississippi
What advice would you give a high school or first-year college student curious about this field? Explore materials science with an open mind—you’ll be surprised at how coatings touch everything around us, from paints to medical implants to aerospace technologies. Strengthen your fundamentals in chemistry, physics, and math, but also seek out lab opportunities early. Most importantly, stay curious and keep asking “why” and “what if.” This field rewards those who combine technical skills with creativity and imagination. … more
Kailash Adhikari
University of Southern Mississippi
How do you see your generation shaping the future of the coatings industry? I think my generation is going to bring a strong mix of sustainability and technology to coatings. We’ve grown up with climate change as a really pressing reality, so environmental responsibility is non-negotiable for us. At the same time, we’re also very comfortable with data, automation, and digital tools, which means we’ll integrate machine learning, robotics, and modeling into the industry … more
Moses Adedigba
University of Southern Mississippi
What drew you to study coatings or materials science specifically? I was curious about the materials used in my dad’s cochlear implant and how they never degraded in his ear for all the years he’s used them. I was curious what type of coatings could withstand the internal fluids in a human head. … more
Marcel Roy Domalanta
North Dakota State University
What drew you to study coatings or materials science specifically? Coatings, especially color, have a quiet power. They can lift a mood, calm a mind, or even spark courage. I was drawn to coatings because they are more than just surfaces; they are silent storytellers. Color can speak to our emotions, influence our decisions, and shape our experiences. I wanted to work in a field where science meets emotion, where chemistry could translate into comfort, safety, and beauty. I found that in coatings. … more
Jessica Shrestha
University of Southern Mississippi
Do you have a dream application or product you’d love to work on someday? I’m at a point where almost everything I study sparks a new idea or an exciting possibility. Every lecture, every paper, every experiment seems to open another door for how materials could be used to make the world better. If I had to name one dream application, it would be a sprayable scaffold for wound healing and emergency care. … more
Sarah Crowsey
University of Southern Mississippi
What drew you to study coatings or materials science specifically? I was drawn to materials science, and specifically polymer science, because I love solving problems and these fields produce innovative solutions to some very real issues. You have a lot of room to explore, whether your interests lie in more fundamental research or in application-driven research. … more
Jillian Porter
University of Southern Mississippi
What advice would you give a high school or first-year college student curious about this field? Make sure you love what you do. If you go into this field strictly for prestige or money you will likely not have good time at all. This field is incredibly fun yet challenging and must be done with full devotion to the learning process. And if you are interested in this field and decide to keep going, never get discouraged. Mistakes are bound to happen, and all you can do is grow from them. … more
Emily Kilgore
University of Southern Mississippi
How do you see your generation shaping the future of the coatings industry? I think my generation will bring new insights to the coatings industry and will bring about a new way of thinking about concepts that have been researched for decades. …more