Cynthia Flanigan, Dr.

Technical Leader, Elastomers Cynthia Flanigan, Dr. Ford Motor Company Materials & Processes Department 2101 Village Road MD3182 Dearborn, MI USA 48188 Email: cflanig2@ford.com Biographical Sketch: Dr. Cynthia Flanigan is the Technical Leader of Elastomeric Polymers in Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford Motor Company. Her primary areas of research are on using novel fillers in elastomers that can be used in a range of applications from underbody shields to tire tread compounds. She worked for nine years in the Plastics Research group within the Ford Research Laboratory, with focus on developing biomaterials such as soy based polyurethane foam and natural fiber reinforced thermoset composites. Cynthia led the technical development of soy-based polyurethane foam for automotive seating, which led to implementation on seven vehicle programs and several external awards. She has managed grants from the United Soybean Board for the past seven years for incorporating soy-based products in elastomers and plastics. Cynthia received Materials Science and Engineering degrees from M.I.T. (B.S.) in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Northwestern University (Ph.D.) in Evanston, Illinois.