Olivia Everitt, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
What drew you to study coatings or materials science specifically?
As a chemistry student at Cal Poly, I was aware of the Polymers and Coatings department on campus, but I wasn’t sure what that entailed. I remembered one professor giving a presentation on polymers as a path to create sustainable plastics in CHEM 101, a required seminar, but that was about it. Then as I became interested in joining a research group, I came across a project that paired my interest in environmental sustainability with my chemistry degree. I began to work with other students under a couple professors on formulating a coating to maximize solar reflectance on exterior architectural walls, helping reduce the energy required to cool buildings. While my initial interest in coatings was piqued by my passion for the environment, I learned that coatings can be found everywhere and even used as a tool to create a more sustainable planet.
What’s been the most interesting lab or project you’ve worked on so far?
The most interesting project I’ve worked on was developing solar reflective coatings to help mitigate the urban heat island effect. I was initially drawn to the project for its environmental applications, but through the process, I became fascinated by the coatings industry itself. Before joining the team, I hadn’t realized how important coatings are in everyday life. In the paint lab, I gained hands-on experience with instruments to test the durability and performance of our formulations. After establishing a strong white base coating for optimal solar reflectance, we experimented with various pigments, comparing conventional pigments to “solar-reflective” alternatives. This experience not only strengthened my technical skills but also showed me the wide-reaching potential of coatings in addressing sustainability challenges.
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. For coatings, this means designing products that not only perform well but also minimize environmental impact whether through renewable raw materials, longer product lifetimes, or improved recyclability. At the same time, I see us leveraging technology, from data-driven testing to advanced manufacturing, to create smarter, more efficient coatings. In the end, I think my generation can and will redefine coatings as not just functional surfaces, but as tools to help solve global challenges like energy conservation and environmental protection.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about pursuing a career in coatings?
That there is room for everyone in the industry, you just have to find the area that excites you the most. This advice helped me realize how broad and diverse the coatings field is, from sustainability and product development to testing and application. It solidified for me that a successful career comes from aligning your skills with your passions, and that there are endless opportunities to make a meaningful impact within this industry.
What advice would you give a high school or first-year college student curious about this field?
Don’t be afraid to try something new. When I was in college, instead of taking the polymers and coatings classes offered, I followed our school’s motto to “learn by doing,” and joined a research group in that department. Through hands-on research, I discovered aspects of the coatings industry that I never could have learned as fully in the classroom. For high school and early college students, this is the perfect time to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Keep an open mind, be willing to step outside the path you’ve already imagined for yourself, and you may uncover a passion you didn’t expect.
Olivia Everitt graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and is beginning her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and Policy at Johns Hopkins University. Her undergraduate research focused on developing solar-reflective coatings to help mitigate the urban heat island effect. The research is showcased in the September-October Issue of CoatingsTech in the article titled “Colorant Effects on Solar Reflectivity and Rheology of Exterior Architectural Coatings.” She is passionate about sustainability and environmental education and is currently based in Washington, D.C.
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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.