Sneha Bhor is pursuing a master's degree in plastics engineering from UMass-Lowell and working as a product development intern at Braskem in Pittsburgh. She is just getting started in the plastics industry and is already thinking about how she can help support her younger siblings as they pursue their dreams of higher education.
"I come from a family with humble background where my parents never got a chance to attend college, because of the responsibilities on them at an early age to make ends meet," Bhor said. "They made sure I received the finest quality of education."
Bhor has a bachelor's degree in technology in fibers and textile processing from the Institute of Chemical Technology in India.
At Braskem, her summer internship has Bhor working closely with a product technology scientist on high-melt-strength polypropylene foams.
Bhor, 23, is active in the Society of Plastics Engineers. She has volunteered as a judge at a regional science fair, and she has helped tutor other students and worked with on outreach to school-age pupils. She was born in Pune, India, speaks five languages, and currently lives in Pittsburgh.
What about the plastics industry surprises you? The diversity in application of the same polymer.
What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the plastics industry? It's a huge industry with great opportunities.
If you were CEO of a company, what would you do first? Encourage employees to upgrade their knowledge and health every day.
Who is your mentor, or someone you look up to? Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, professor David Kazmer, Dr. Stephen Johnston.
