Education: B.S. and M.S. Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1993. PhD Chemical Engineering, U. California, Santa Barbara, 1997.
Experience: Dr. Leibig led materials research and product development activities at The Dow Chemical Company at corporate headquarters in Michigan, as well as Texas, Germany, and Switzerland from 1997 to 2008. She led the development of polyurethane products ranging from appliance insulation foams to bio-based products to electronic materials. She researched the processing behavior of PLA in the Cargill and Dow joint development efforts preceding the formation of Natureworks, today’s leading manufacturer of PLA resins for 3D printing filaments.
In 2008, Dr. Leibig joined Segetis to lead product development of novel bio-based specialty chemicals, and ultimately became Chief Operating Officer. Segetis was a startup company that closed in 2015 due to the collapse in oil prices(!)
In 2016, the startup experience motivated Dr. Leibig to start Chromatic 3D Materials, a 3D printing technology company focused on delivering industrial-grade materials and systems to additive manufacturing. Since its founding, the company has won $1.4M in U.S. grants and $8.5M in investment. In 2020, Chromatic started its German subsidiary to promote sales and development in the German specialty manufacturing markets. Today, the company is commercializing products for hearing aids, apparel, and transportation companies. Dr. Leibig is an inventor on more than 25 patents. She and her husband Michael live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and have four grown children.