MARY CHERVENAK
R&D Scientist, ARKEMA
Could you please share your current role, what it entails, and what excites you most about it?
I watch paint dry! I am an R&D scientist in Coating Applications. In my role, I work with a synthetic chemist, and together we develop and evaluate new polymer emulsions for waterborne coatings. I enjoy the challenge of finding new ways to build performance into a polymer, while working within the confines of regulatory restrictions.
What brought you to the coatings industry? Was it part of the plan, or did you discover coatings along the way?
My first position was working as a chemist in biocides. As part of my job, I worked directly with manufacturers, designing preservative packages to extend the shelf life and service life of architectural coatings. With a preservative, a little bit of chemistry goes a long way—a few ppm can keep a formula shelf-stable and perfectly usable for a year. I observed this phenomenon again and again with coatings—just a few mils can prevent a bridge from corroding and collapsing. Amazing. So, when I was offered a chance to work in the Coatings Business Unit, I jumped at the opportunity.
How important has mentorship or a piece of advice from someone been in your career—and have you had the chance to mentor others in return?
Sometime during the whirlwind of training in the first weeks of my first job, my manager reminded me that it was okay, encouraged even, to ask questions. I was worried about asking any questions at all—I had so many and I didn’t want to appear like I didn’t know anything. “Be curious,” she said. “Wonder. Ask why. Ask how. Write down your observations and then turn them upside down. Look at them close up. Look at them far away. Don’t force a conclusion. Let a conclusion present itself.” Her advice to pause, and to ponder, has reminded me again and again to take the time to think critically about data and ultimately to be satisfied that I understand what the data is saying.
How, if at all, did your educational background shape your path into coatings?
I have a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. While my work in carbohydrate synthesis and carbohydrate-protein binding sites had very little to do with the position I eventually took in coatings, my Ph.D. work taught me experimental design and data interpretation. Not to mention patience and resilience!
What’s one project or innovation you’ve worked on that you’re especially proud of?
I’m particularly excited about the work my team has done to incorporate biobased material into polymer emulsions to create more sustainable products, while maintaining, or even improving, product performance.
How do you stay current with advancements in coatings technology?
I stay current by reading a lot—trade journals, research publications, news articles. I’m also interested in finding perspectives from outside the industry. Reading about a trending problem in mainstream media is sometimes the first step to identifying a coating solution.
Are there any misconceptions about your role or industry that you’d like to correct?
That coatings are boring! That paint is ordinary! Coatings with the dry thickness of a few hairs can keep a ship afloat, delay the progress of a fire, resist chemical attack, repair minor damage, protect a delicate substrate from impact, wind, and water . . . it’s honestly amazing that something as inobtrusive as a wafer-thin coating can accomplish so much. Coatings make a safe and comfortable life possible.
Have you ever taken a detour or changed directions in your career? What did that pivot teach you?
I briefly held a position in Regulatory, that, unfortunately, was not a good fit. While a scientific background is certainly beneficial to managing a Regulatory role within the chemical industry, I quickly discovered that I preferred thinking about problems and designing experiments to answer questions.
Have you faced any significant professional challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
About 10 years into my career, I accepted a short-term overseas posting. When I returned to the United States and my original role, many of my responsibilities had been reassigned. I struggled for a while, trying to find my footing in this new landscape; my old position was essentially gone. Thanks to the assistance of an astute manager who recognized my frustration, I was able find a new series of projects to work on. I wish now that I’d asked for help sooner!
How has the coatings industry changed since you entered it?
The pace of development has accelerated, in response to stricter environmental regulations and a growing emphasis on performance, coupled with sustainable practices. There is a drive to optimize everything—research, quality control, and maintenance schedules. Machine learning is being utilized to analyze data and predict coating performance, which is effectively reducing development and testing times.
What trends or developments do you think are shaping the future of coatings?
While the coatings industry is still cognizant of the need to eliminate volatile organic compounds to reduce the impact of coatings on the environment and on human health, manufacturers are adopting even more aggressive practices to minimize waste and conserve natural resources, such as the incorporation of recycled materials into new coatings and the recycling of spent coatings. The coatings industry is intent upon finding a new set of tools to build better coatings.
Are there particular industry innovations or shifts you’re excited about?
Adaptive coatings are fascinating! A coating that can dynamically react to variations in temperature has the potential to maximize energy efficiency, which both improves the comfort and livability of a structure and reduces strain on the power grid.
What skills or traits do you think are essential for success in this industry?
Everyone is probably saying the same three things: technical expertise, good communication skills, and a commitment to ongoing learning. Understanding coating properties and behavior is, of course, critical, not just to coating development, but also to identifying and resolving problems that may arise at any point during production and application. Coatings are rarely, if ever, developed in a vacuum, so the ability to have clear, open dialogue with team members and stakeholders is important. Proactively seeking new knowledge and skills and exploring new ideas and technologies will ultimately lead to better products and will keep the job challenging and interesting.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry or considering a career in coatings?
I would advise someone interested in pursuing a position in the coatings industry to seek out an internship, to learn more about all aspects of the business. Embrace the chaos—be prepared to adapt to changing technologies, materials, regulations, and requirements, sometimes with very little notice. And finally, never be afraid to ask for help!
What’s something people outside the industry might not understand or be surprised to learn about working in coatings?
When people outside the coating industry think of paint and coatings, they greatly simplify the science and fail to see beyond the application process—paint is either wet in the can, or dry on a surface. Paint is perceived as having a color, as having an aesthetic purpose, but not a function beyond that. But the development of protective coatings, and even the paint rolled onto a wall, involves complex chemistry. Creative chemistry, combined with the utilization of novel technologies, can build a range of capabilities into a humble mixture of water and pigment and binder.
What keeps you motivated and eager to come to work each day?
Even when I’m discouraged, the thought that the next set of experiments might provide a clue to an elusive problem keeps me motivated. I like a mystery . . . for a while. At some point, though, there needs to be a resolution; mysteries require explanations. Tackling a new data set can be a thrilling step into elucidating the unknown.
Do you have any professional goals that you’re still eager to accomplish?
Designing one perfect polymer emulsion that does everything? I’m joking, of course, but the idea of creating a binder for architectural coatings that can be manufactured in a sustainable way, from readily available, inexhaustible, low-impact raw materials, and that can be fully recycled and reused, all while providing exceptional performance and unparalleled durability, is certainly a goal.
How does company culture impact your work and ability to perform successfully?
Arkema’s corporate culture is characterized by an environment of collaboration, agility, and sustainability, as well as a focus on employee well-being. The company promotes working together to solve interesting problems and provides resources to work quickly and efficiently.
What opportunities or unique advantages does your company offer that someone new to the workforce or not too familiar with coatings should consider as a career pathway?
Arkema prioritizes work-life balance and has a strong commitment to employee satisfaction. Opportunities to explore potential new roles or learn new things within an existing role are routinely offered. For someone new to the workforce who may not be certain of an exact career path, there are ways to both expand a knowledge base and to “try on” different jobs.
Mary C. Chervenak received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Duke University. After two years of post-doctoral research at the University of Alberta, she joined the Union Carbide Biocides Group, and then moved to UCAR Emulsion Systems (UES). With the acquisition of UES by Arkema, Chervenak became part of Arkema Coating Resins, where she works as an R&D scientist, developing and evaluating waterborne resins for architectural and industrial coatings
Email: mary.chervenak@arkema.com