Our Team

Scott Daniel

Co-Founder

Scott Daniel is an accomplished leader, who is well-versed in corporate and financial strategy.

He has over two decades of experience in Corporate and Investment Banking, most recently as the Head of Healthcare Corporate Banking at Deutsche Bank. Scott has led some of the largest and most complex financings and M&A transactions in history. 

Scott also served in the U.S. Navy on a Guided Missile Frigate, where he was decorated for his actions in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm.

He graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Computer Science and Economics, has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and recently completed a Master's degree from NJIT in Artificial Intelligence.

Sheldon Fereira

Co-Founder

Sheldon Fereira, a seasoned Data Analyst, holds dual Master's degrees in Data Science and Applied Physics from NJIT. 

His professional experience includes
significant roles as a Business Data Analyst and Data Analyst/Scientist, where he honed his skills in developing enterprise-level Python web applications and implementing sophisticated machine learning and deep learning models.

An expert in Python programming and machine learning, Sheldon developed the prototype for Materium Technologies' flagship technology. His expertise in data analytics and deep understanding of material science, are key drivers behind the company's innovation and progress.

Allyson Tarifa

Researcher

Allyson Tarifa is pursuing a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at NJIT, specializing in computational modeling methods and their influence on engineering design. She is certified in SolidWorks (CSWA) and proficient in CREO, MATLAB, ANSYS, COMSOL, Python, and Arduino. Allyson's expertise in thermal, fluid, and structural analysis is a significant asset to our team.
She currently participates in interdisciplinary research focused on the thermal management and efficiency of solar cells and has presented her findings at the 2023 Minerals, Metals, & Materials Society Convention.

Allyson's professional experience includes an internship with the Space Environmental Effects Team at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

Dr. N.M. Ravindra

Sr Technical Advisor

Dr. N.M. Ravindra (Ravi) is a Professor of Physics at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Principal Investigator.

He was the Director, Interdisciplinary Program in Materials Science and Engineering at NJIT from 2009 to 2016 and Chair of the Physics Department from 2009 to 2013.

Ravi is the Founding Editor of Emerging Materials Research. He has been a frequent Guest Editor of JEM, the Journal of Electronic Materials; JOM; and several MDPI Journals. He serves on the editorial board of several international journals.

Before joining NJIT in 1987, Ravi had been associated with Vanderbilt University, the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC), NC State University, the International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP-Trieste), Politecnico di Torino, and CNRS associated labs in Paris and Montpellier.

Ravi and his research team have published over 450 papers in international journals, books, and conference proceedings. His team has several pending and three issued patents. 

Ravi holds a PhD in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, and an MS and BS in Physics from Bangalore University.

Dr. Ting Xu

Technical Advisor

Dr. Ting Xu is a Professor of Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley and a Principal Investigator.

Since joining UC Berkeley in 2007, Ting has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including being named one of Popular Science Magazine's "Brilliant 10," the Li Ka Shing Women's Research Award, Camille-Dreyfus Scholar-Teacher Award, and ACS Arthur K. Doolittle Award. Ting was a 2021 Bakar Prize recipient.
Ting's research focuses on polymers, biomaterials, and materials chemistry. Her lab specializes in designing, characterizing, and understanding complex systems of synthetic polymers, nanoparticles, and biomolecules to develop functional materials that exhibit novel electronic, photonic, and biological properties.
She is a fellow of American Physical Society, American Chemical Society, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Materials Research Society. 

Ting has a BS from Dalian University of Technology, an MS from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a PhD. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Dr. Michael Jaffe

Technical Advisor

Dr. Michael Jaffe is a research professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NJIT and a Principal Materials Scientist.

He is the inventor of the High Modulus Low Shrinkage polyester tire cord product and process, which is still in commercial use. He also led the group that researched, developed and commercialized the Vectra family of thermotropic polyesters and led research programs in areas ranging from ceramic fiber development, to high performance polymer blends to biomimetic approaches to materials design.

He is a pioneer in the creation of chemical synthetic routes by which sugar-based chemicals can be used as building blocks to produce new monomers, polymers and additives for the commercial plastics and cosmetics industry, creating non-toxic alternatives based on renewable feed stocks.

With 23 patents and 19 book chapters, Mike has been a member of the National Materials Advisory Board, the Space Sciences Board, chairman of the U.S. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and chairman of the Polymeric Materials: Science and the Engineering Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Mike has a BA in Chemistry from Cornell University and a PhD. in Chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.