As Chief Technology Officer at Hand Technologies, Dr. Smith drives the technical roadmap, molecular design, and chemical product development for HAND’s ultra-high-performance carbon and ceramic precursors. He bridges the critical gap between fundamental polymer science and industrial application, leading the synthesis and commercial formulation of the company’s proprietary BODA resin platforms.

A world-renowned expert in fluoropolymers and high-performance polymers, Dr. Smith brings a deep background in both science leadership and deep-tech entrepreneurship to HAND. Prior to his role as CTO, he served as the Department Head and Director of the Advanced Composites Institute (ACI) at Mississippi State University (MSU).

Dr. Smith possesses a proven track record of moving advanced materials out of the laboratory and into critical commercial applications. He is a founding member of Tetramer Technologies, LLC, and has co-founded and directed multiple elite research centers throughout his impactful career. As the engine behind HAND’s technical moat, Dr. Smith’s expertise is backed by a prolific portfolio of 155 peer-reviewed publications and 28 patents.