Dr. Caleb J. Reese is a polymer chemist and researcher at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where he leads the development of next-generation materials for water purification and critical mineral recovery. Reese also is the co-founder and technical advisor for EnduraCure, an entrepreneurial venture specifically focusing on circular economy solutions for electronic waste.

Reese’s research philosophy centers on leveraging advanced polymerization techniques to solve pressing material challenges. He believes that the future of manufacturing lies in the fusion of high-performance chemistry and scalable, sustainable design.

When did you first learn about UV/EB as an industry and technology?

I first encountered 3D printing in undergrad, though at the time, I viewed it as a “futuristic” hobbyist tool for rapid prototyping. I didn’t see the true industrial potential until I began my postdoc at the University of Utah with Chen Wang. During my Ph.D., I worked with traditional solution polymerization mechanisms, spending days in the hood to synthesize a single gram of polymer. Transitioning to UV-curable materials felt like discovering a cheat code.

In Utah, I realized that properties I previously labeled as inherent limitations, such as brittleness, could be fundamentally re-engineered to create high-performance, thermoplastic-like materials. That pursuit drives my work today at the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). We now are developing UV-curable materials for critical mineral recovery that not only compete with traditional resin beads, but also outperform them by leveraging the precision and efficiency of advanced light-curing technology.

Have you run into any challenges as a young professional?

One of the most persistent challenges is navigating the “valley of death” between academic research and industrial application. In academia, the goal often is high-level novelty, solving a complex, fundamental problem that pushes the boundaries of science. But in industry, the goal is solving a problem that creates value, which requires a completely different mindset. When I transitioned from a purely theoretical academic environment into the world of industrial-scale R&D and helped launch EnduraCure, I had to stop asking, “Is this interesting?” and start asking, “Does this solve a problem someone actually is willing to pay for?”

Replacing existing thermoplastics is a hard sell, and my biggest takeaway has been to stop trying to force a 1:1 replacement of existing materials. Instead, I’m looking for pain points, areas like high customization or rapid product development where traditional manufacturing fails, and focusing my research energy there.

How could more young professionals be encouraged to get involved in UV/EB technology?

UV/EB technology offers material scientists a chance to hit the reset button on manufacturing. The 20th-century plastics boom prioritized cost and durability at the expense of end-of-life impact, leading to the global pollution crisis we see today. The UV/EB space allows us to change that narrative, designing materials for a specific purpose that are inherently greener or degradable from the molecular level up.

If we want to attract the best young talent, we need to frame this industry as climate tech. When young professionals see that they actually are building the architecture for a circular economy, they will engage. This industry is on a steep, upward trajectory, and there is no better place for a young professional to help craft a future where materials are designed to limit waste rather than create it.

What are your suggestions for those who are just starting their professional careers?

Entering the workforce is daunting, especially when you consider the sheer volume of research and the seemingly infinite career paths available. My advice: Don’t obsess over finding the perfect subfield. Instead, jump headfirst into the opportunities that present themselves. Say yes to new projects, even if the path isn’t immediately clear.

What else do you want to share?

UV/EB technology is a developing industry. There is so much innovation waiting to happen. If anything, I hope those reading this are encouraged to dive in and make an impact, regardless of how small or incremental it seems at first. Challenge the status quo, leverage your diverse background (inside or outside of science) to bring new insights to the field, and use the hard lessons from the history of the plastics industry to ensure we do it better this time. Let’s build something that lasts and something that matters.

The RadTech YP Committee aims to help young professionals (YPs) grow in the use and development of UV/EB technology. The committee is comprised of a group dedicated to enhancing interactions between YPs and senior experts within RadTech. YPs are students and professionals early in their careers who utilize UV and EB technology in industry, government or academia. To ask questions or get involved, contact yp@radtech.org.