Polymers To Patents: The Science Of Sticking Together

Only 18 3M inventors have reached the 100-patent mark, and Audrey Sherman, a division scientist in the 3M Medical Solutions Division, is 3M’s only female to reach this milestone. We chatted with Audrey to learn how she did it – and the critical role that collaboration (and a little friendly competition) plays in how she’s found success and persistence.

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Overview

Air Date: April 14, 2021

Season: 2021

Episode: 3

Speakers: Audrey Sherman (3M), Belma Erdogan-Haug (3M)

Getting one patent is a huge achievement. Getting 100 sounds nearly impossible. In its 116-year history, only 18 3M inventors have reached the 100-patent mark, and Audrey Sherman, a division scientist in the 3M Medical Solutions Division, is 3M’s only female to reach this milestone.

We chatted with Audrey to learn how she did it – and the critical role that collaboration (and a little friendly competition) plays in how she’s found success and persistence. In her own words, “I won’t be your wife. I certainly won’t be your mom. But I’ll be your sister. We’ll fight. Sometimes hard. But at the end of the day, we take care of each other.”

About the speakers

Audrey Sherman, Division Scientist
3M

Tiana serves as the Vice President of Global Cereal for the Kellogg Company, where she is responsible for the $6 billion flagship portfolio with treasured brands such as Special K, Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Corn Flakes. Prior to joining Kellogg, she was Marketing Director of global tequila at Beam Suntory, where she led a portfolio of 5 brands and oversaw operations at the Casa Sauza Heritage Center in Tequila, Mexico. Before joining Beam Suntory, Ms. Conley held a variety of marketing roles at Kimberly-Clark and Procter & Gamble, including leading the $4 billion Global Bath Tissue Portfolio as well as leading the P&L for the North American Olay brand. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Business Administration degree from Xavier University Williams College of Business in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tiana is based in Chicago and is mother of two children, Griffin and Ava.

Belma Erdogan-Haug, Global Technical Learning, Innovation, Collaboration Manager
3M

Dr. Belma Erdogan-Haug manages all aspects of 3M’s flagship technical collaboration, innovation & learning programs, awards and recognitions, and science encouragement programs. Belma has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Georgia Tech and MBA from MIT-Sloan. Through her years at 3M, she led cross functional teams from Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China to advance Solar Encapsulants, Industrial Adhesives and Optically Clear Adhesives for flexible display applications in consumer electronics and automotive dashboards. In her last role, she led the Government R&D business development engagements and aligned strategically important key 3M R&D programs to government. She has 20 patents and 13 peer reviewed articles. Belma is a passionate social justice and DEI advocate. She constantly helps her community, is involved in education-focused outreach programs and actively mentors and coaches women and underrepresented minority college students about science and career development.