Expert Material Scientist Rachel Byer Joins Fornax Advanced Materials to Drive Innovation and Growth

Rachel Byer has been appointed as the director of materials science at Fornax Advanced Materials. In her new role, Byer will be responsible for driving advanced material development, accelerating material AI capabilities, and identifying market opportunities for the company.

John Havermann, the president and CEO of Fornax-AM, expressed excitement about Byer joining the team. He highlighted her academic credentials and diverse experience in applying materials science across various markets. Byer’s career has included roles as a contributor, project manager, and laboratory manager, where she has utilized analytical techniques, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to characterize materials.

Fornax-AM specializes in providing customers with lightweight, high-density products made from advanced alloys, metallics, and ceramic composite materials. The company serves clients in the departments of Energy and Defense, NASA, and other aerospace and defense organizations, supporting their missions with innovative materials solutions. Byer’s expertise and leadership are expected to further enhance Fornax-AM’s capabilities in materials science and development.

Rachel Byer holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering from Virginia Tech as well as a Bachelor of Science in physics from Bucknell University. With her strong educational background in materials science combined with her diverse experience in applying this field across various markets, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position at Fornax-AM.