Finalists, Mentors and Judges
The 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge Finalists and State Merit Winners have been announced! Use the tabs below to check out their big ideas and explore all finalists, winners, and 3M Scientist mentors!
Today’s Innovators
Get to know the diverse personalities of students, 3M Mentors, and others who have contributed their unique talents to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Use the tabs below to explore exciting ideas and inspirations from previous years’ challenges.
Dr. Rohit Gupta
Product Development Specialist
As a Product Development Specialist in the Automotive and Aerospace Division, Rohit focuses on engineering essential bonding solutions for assembling battery components in the electric vehicle domain.
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Stephanie Owen
Expanded Beam Optics Laboratory Manager, Advanced Product Development Specialist
Driven by her passion for the ever-expanding electronics industry, Stephanie’s expertise in product development, project management, and commercialization brings new ideas into realized products.
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Dr. Mark Gilbertson
Senior Robotics and Automation Engineer
Mark Gilberston is a Senior Robotics and Automation Engineer in the Automotive and Aerospace Division at 3M.
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Aditya Banerji
Research Specialist
Aditya Banerji is a Research Specialist in 3M’s Corporate Research Process Laboratory. He specializes in developing and commercializing products and is a co-inventor on 16 3M invention submissions, resulting in 4 pending patent applications
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Lalitha Ganapatibhotla
Advanced Product Development Specialist
Lalitha Ganapatibhotla is an Advanced Product Development Specialist in 3M’s Electronic Materials Solutions Division. She has experience in understanding the physics behind what makes the polymer electrolytes for use in Lithium-Ion Batteries work in various applications through her work on neutron scattering.
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Timothy Hebrink
Senior Staff Scientist
Tim Hebrink is a Senior Staff Scientist in 3M Corporate Research Lab, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Chemical Engineering, and has 39 years of polymer product development experience at 3M.
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Rodrigo Marmol
Global Portfolio Manager
Rodrigo Marmol is a Global Portfolio Manager at 3M, where he oversees the strategy and development of 3M's conductive pressure sensitive adhesive product portfolio on a global scale.
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Dr. Caitlin Race
Research Specialist
Dr. Caitlin Race is a research engineer in the Corporate Research Digital Lab at 3M
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Ian Cummings
Senior AI/Machine Learning Engineer
A natural problem solver and leader, Ian develops technology with applications in today’s electronics and emerging technology for the future.
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Deborah Isabelle
Product Engineering Specialist, Abrasives
A problem solver and team player, Deborah Isabelle works on developing new products in 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division. Deborah enjoys volunteering and chairing 3M’s Science Encouragement Program.
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Ann Gilman
Advanced Research Specialist
Ann Gilman is an Advanced Research Specialist and focuses on roll-to-roll precision coating and patterning technologies and driving processes from the bench to manufacturing scale.
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Dr. Kannan Seshadri
3M Senior Product Development Specialist
Kannan is a serial inventor-innovator who thrives on translating new ideas and consumer insights to commercialization. His expertise in materials science and manufacturing brings a proven track record in product commercialization, new-to-world technology, and manufacturing process development.
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Dr. Ross Behling
3M Senior Research Specialist
As a chemical engineer with 10+ years of experience in 3M corporate research labs, Dr. Ross Behling has invented numerous pressure-sensitive adhesive products in handheld electronics, industrial assembly, and automotive bonding applications.
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Dr. PJ Flanigan
Sr. Research Manager in the Biosciences Laboratory
A problem solver at heart, PJ coaches research teams to invent novel solutions using collaborations between chemistry, biology, and engineering. PJ enjoys managing experts with different technical backgrounds and values diverse perspectives.
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Dr. Döne Demirgöz
Advanced Research Specialist
Dr. Döne Demirgöz’s passion for science and engineering expands into many scientific areas at 3M. And when Dr. Demirgöz is not solving problems on the job, she’s inspiring and encouraging the next generation of young scientists through mentorship programs.
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Dr. Ani Upadhye
Advanced Research Specialist
Motivated by his desire to minimize human impact on climate change, Ani develops new technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of 3M manufacturing processes.
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Tesha Alston Dampier
3M Senior Quality Engineer, Biopharmaceutical Purification Business
Through effective problem solving and opportunity-mining, Tesha Alston Dampier has excelled in various roles—from biochemistry to engineering—over the past 14 years at 3M.
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Dr. Patrick Zimmerman
3M Division Scientist
Patrick brings unique expertise and background to the automotive, adhesives, aerospace industries, and more. He has a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills and is a mentor to his teams and colleagues.
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Dr. Mary Caruso Dailey
3M Product Development Specialist
Dr. Mary Caruso Dailey has pursued innovation in product development roles at 3M as well as in her personal life where she empowers young people to discover new applications of science.
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Jeffrey Emslander
3M Corporate Scientist
From graphic films for vehicles and reflective materials on traffic signs to more energy-efficient construction materials, Jeffrey Emslander is helping create a greener planet.
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Dr. Ann Fornof
3M Senior Research Specialist
As an inventor with more than 25 granted patents, Dr. Ann Fornof brings practical knowledge of technology development to help 3M business divisions commercialize its innovative products.
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Dr. Vasav Sahni
3M Advanced Research Specialist
Vasav identifies disruptive ideas that lead to new adhesive technologies and products.
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Sara Frisco
3M Senior Product Development Engineer
Driven by her passion for disruptive technology platforms and innovation, Sara enjoys working on new product development, new technologies and intellectual property strategy.
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Jonah Shaver
Product Development Specialist
Protecting the sensors of an autonomous vehicle is like protecting one’s eyesight,” just ask Jonah Shaver, Ph.D. and product development specialist at 3M.
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