Stephen R. Burks, PhD is a polyurethane polymer expert and the owner of Burks PU Consulting, LLC
CUMMING, GA, December 06, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — Stephen R. Burks, PhD has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected based on current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all considered during the selection process.
Dr. Burks is a chemist and consultant celebrating more than four decades of distinction in polyurethane polymer synthesis, development and applications. Raised in Texas, he began assisting his father in the family freight and moving business as a child, and earned an early reputation for academic and athletic excellence, graduating near the top of his high school class. He attended Howard Payne University on an academic and tennis scholarship, and was awarded a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with minors in math and biology in 1977. In 1983, Dr. Burks was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in synthetic organic chemistry by Texas A&M University, where he participated in research to synthesize a cancer-fighting compound.
After completing his doctoral study, Dr. Burks began a 31-year career with the Dow Chemical Company. Between 1983 and 1988, he acted as a senior research and development chemist and technical support specialist, rising to senior technical support specialist and senior technical development leader until his departure from the company in 2014. While with the Dow Chemical Company, Dr. Burks specialized in developing novel polyurethanes for use in the automotive industry, including a cutting-edge patented foam headliner material that cut the demold time by 33 % which resulted in a cost savings of more than $10 million. In 2014, driven by a desire to continue to help PU customers, Dr. Burks established Burks PU Consulting LLC, where he continues to work independently and with clients on projects including a versatile polyurethane composite wood replacement.
In addition to his work with Burks PU Consulting LLC, Dr. Burks brought his expertise to Magna Seating as a production manager from 2014 until 2016, and contracted with Urethane Sciences as a senior scientist between 2018 and 2022. Throughout his career, he has published extensively, including contributions to multiple book chapters, polyurethane processing reference manual “Dow Polyurethanes Flexible Foams,” and the paper “Ultrasonic Rise and Adiabatic Temperature Evaluation of Polyurethane Foams,” which was awarded best paper at the 33rd Annual SPI Technical Conference and reprinted in the Journal of Cellular Plastics. Dr. Burks submitted more than 15 patents for innovations created during his time with Dow Chemical Company, holds Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and is recognized as a leader in his specialty.
Dr. Burks credits his success to his work ethic, lifelong passion for chemistry and its potential, his ability to think outside the box to solve large-scale complex problems, and his commitment to continued growth and learning. In his personal time, he is active in his church community, is a supporter of charities including World Vision and the Wounded Warrior Project, and enjoys traveling with his wife, Claudia.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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