CPSPE Welcomes Staff Hires – MRC Manager and Director of Operations

It is with great pleasure that the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering welcomes new staff hires Dr. Jessi Baughman and Dr. Jason Randall.

Dr. Jessi Baughman (top photo) joins the Magnetic Resonance Center as a manager with a background in solution and solid-state NMR. He has assisted the MRC staff over the past 3 years with the operation of the campus-wide research facility. In addition, he has worked with local companies to provide training, technical support, and research development with NMR instrumentation. He looks forward to expanding the center's integration with academic courses and local industrial development as well as upgrading the instrument capabilities of the MRC labs.

Jessi has lived in Akron for the past 9 years. He competes as a bagpiper with the North Coast Pipe Band of Kent, OH and enjoys exploring the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Returning to the role of Director of Operations is Dr. Jason Randall (bottom photo), a CPSPE alum. A native Akronite, Jason previously held the role for two years, overseeing the facilities, safety, shops, and common core equipment within the College.

Prior to his time with UA, Jason led the North America Rheology and Interface Science lab within AkzoNobel Packaging Coatings. He was also Technical Project Lead working on BPA-non-intentional coatings for food cans.  His main research interests are in rheology of dispersions, surface energy and wetting behavior, and aerogels.

Jason and his wife Amy (also a CPSPE alum) have 3 children.  He enjoys spending time playing games with them and modifying their Power Wheels.

Please join us in welcoming Jessi and Jason to our college!