Congratulations Dr. María López García, Senior Materials Scientist at Kimberly-Clark and GMiS 2021 Luminary Award winner!
GMiS Luminary honorees represent professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who initiate, collaborate, and lead key programs and research within their companies. These individuals have made significant contributions to the Hispanic technical community as leaders and role models.
Throughout the 33rd Annual GMiS Conference, Great Minds in STEM will be highlighting members of our Class of 2021 Luminary honorees, comprising of Hispanic innovators who are engineering the future while lighting the way for the next generation of STEM leaders.
Our next spotlighted Luminary is Dr. María López García, Senior Materials Scientist at Kimberly-Clark. With a Ph.D. in materials science with a multidisciplinary focus of biomaterials, cell biology, and mechanics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. López García brings her unique capability to bridge the world of materials and life sciences — so vital to the development of personal care consumer products — to Kimberly-Clark.
At the company, Dr. López García has led important research in the controlled release of actives to aging skin as well as through cervical mucus for vaginal wellness in aging women.
She has also has led research in fluid distribution, super absorbent materials, and menses-specific absorbent materials, making important contributions to product development for the company’s multiple feminine hygiene brands.
Growing up in Puerto Rico, Dr. López García was lucky enough to have a father who was a Manager at Hewlett Packard with Electrical Engineering training as a role model. Introducing his daughter to female engineers inspired her to study chemical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez and discover her interest in materials science.
With multiple patents and publications to her credit, Dr. López García’s activities outside of work are equally impressive. She spent considerable time on the board to the innovative Appleton Bilingual School and has been a leader within the Latin American Network for Diversity (LAND).
See Dr. López García’s acceptance speech here and congratulations to the entire Class of 2021 GMiS Luminary honorees!
Stay tuned for more exemplary Hispanic professionals in STEM as Week 1 of the GMiS Virtual Conference continues.