Information Session with Exponent

Join Exponent mechanical engineers Dr. Ted Zirkle and Dr. Lauren Katch for a discussion about engineering consulting and the transition from Ph.D. research to industry. They will share examples of how they apply technical expertise to multidisciplinary challenges involving failure analysis, product reliability, manufacturing, energy, transportation, machine safety, and intellectual property. The session will also highlight career opportunities at Exponent and include time for questions about consulting, day-to-day project work, and applying graduate research skills in industry.

Ted Zirkle, Ph.D., P.E.

Dr. Ted Zirkle is a Managing Engineer in Exponent’s Mechanical Engineering practice. He specializes in reliability assessment and failure analysis of mechanical systems, with experience in energy, transportation, machine safety, and manufacturing. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, where his research focused on the behavior and failure of stainless steels in hydrogen environments.

Lauren Katch, Ph.D., P.E.

Dr. Lauren Katch is a Senior Engineer in Exponent’s Mechanical Engineering practice. She specializes in mechanical failure analysis, reliability assessment, additive manufacturing, and nondestructive testing, particularly ultrasonic inspection. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Penn State, where her research focused on ultrasonic defect detection in anisotropic silicon wafers.