(See Projects story on Novel Aluminum Forming Techniques.)

Where are you from originally?
I grew up in Livonia, Michigan.

Did you stay in Michigan for college too?
Yes, I went to University of Michigan for all three degrees. They're in materials science and engineering, but the focus of my Ph.D. was on metallurgy.

Why did you choose materials science?
If you like math and science in high school, everyone says you should be an engineer. I went to U of M and figured I would be an electrical engineer, because I really liked math. As part of my freshman curriculum, I took Introduction to Materials Science. My professor came into the classroom with a ceramic tennis racket and I thought, Wow, that's cool. Instantly, I wanted to design high-tech sporting goods that rely on advanced materials.

So that was it. I registered for the department and decided materials science was what I wanted to do. I've never actually designed sporting goods; instead, I've worked on cars.

Cars seem like a natural for people from Michigan …
It makes it easy to stay near home.

Are you planning to design high-tech sporting goods someday?
It would be fun. I still interact with the folks back at U of M and advise students on senior design projects. One group chose a project on the next-generation baseball bat. So, I still stay in touch with that work.

How did you end up at GM?
I had a summer internship at GM when I was an undergraduate. That went really well, so I knew I had a few contacts there.

Did you work at R&D as part of your internship?
Yes. I was based in the Advanced Engineering Center, but I worked partly with researchers at R&D. When I was finishing up my thesis, I sent letters all over the place and received offers for post-docs and pre-faculty positions. GM made me a permanent offer. My family is from Michigan, so it made it easy to decide to work at R&D.

When did you get interested in working on automobiles?
When I was growing up, I was much more interested in sports than in spending time under the hood of a car. But as life evolves, so do your interests.

I like science, technology, and neat stuff. There's a lot of neat stuff that goes on in the auto industry. It's a good place for a metallurgist or materials scientist to be, because many of the innovations in next-generation automobiles are going to come from materials.

What were your early assignments at R&D?
My first assignments reflect a theme that's been going on since I've been here: To figure out a way to improve formability of aluminum. One project focused on heat treatments to improve formability; the other involved warm forming, which is conventional stamping at elevated temperatures. I currently work on nontraditional metal forming processes as the Lab Group Manager for Novel Alloys and Processes.

What excites you most about your research?
Two things. One is seeing my work get used. That's the ultimate validation of what I do.

The other is solving a problem or just learning something. I don't get as much time to do this as a manager, but I love to run an experiment, get a bunch of data, lock my door, sit in the room, analyze the data, and say, Wow, this is cool! I just learned something. That's just a tremendous rush or buzz that you don't get many other places.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of the fact that other people respect me both technically and personally. I've received recognition from GM and the world scientific community. The awards contribute to the feeling that I'm becoming recognized as a leader in the auto industry.

Receiving Technology Review's Top Young Innovator Award was a tremendous honor …
Yes, it was. I first became aware of the award last fall. Tech Review sent an e-mail to GM saying they'd narrowed the list down to 600 people, and I was one of them. My supervisors here had nominated me. Tech Review asked me to send a resume and a letter with my thoughts on innovation, and early in 2002 they notified me that I'd been selected me as part of the Top 100. That was really cool. If I had to choose one thing that I'm proud of and has an impact on my future, it would be that award.

But at the same time, it's humbling or awkward. You work with so many good people at GM, it feels odd to be singled out. I like to think I'm doing a good job, but top 100 in the world … it's humbling.

What's a typical day like for you?
It usually starts early. My wife and I go to the gym every morning before we go to work. I'm usually here by 6:30 or 7 am. Right now, I probably spend about 25% of my time doing original work on my own projects; about 50% working on the projects of other people in my group, providing guidance and visioning; and the other 25% on managerial and administrative work.

How long have you been a Lab Group Manager?
Since October - less than a year. It's fun and a challenge. I've thought of myself as a leader, because I coach teams and play sports, but I still try to draw as much as possible on those around me with experience. The biggest challenge is that I'm working with people, who have their own issues and lives and personalities. Even if you're a natural-born leader, there's a lot to learn about people and behavior.

But there are also benefits. The last two days I was in Ottawa, Canada, serving on the science advisory board for metals research that tells the Canadian government and metals labs what work they should be doing. In that role, I have the ability to set and influence research direction.

What do you do when you're not working?
When I don't have house chores to do, I play softball and flag football. I love to fish - I have a boat and enjoy going out. I also like to travel and to cook. Cooking is a lot like science, like chemistry.

What's your favorite vacation spot?
My wife and I went to Capri in Italy - it was phenomenal, I'd love to go back. But every year we take a camping trip with my sisters and my wife's sisters on the Lake Michigan coast. That's just as much fun.

What's the last book you read?
I'm reading Don't Know Much About Geography. I love these idiot's guides. I learn enough to be conversant on a topic.

Do you have a favorite quote?
Yes - I put this one in my thesis. It's from Bo Schembechler, the former football coach at University of Michigan: What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve, and those who stay will be champions. It seems like most of the things I've achieved, I've dreamed about first.