TRIBOFILM RESEARCH - Key Persons


DR. DAN JONSEN

Job Titles:
  • Principal Scientist & Quality System Manager
For over 20 years, I have been designing, constructing, optimizing and automating equipment and processes for multiple advanced surface engineering applications in the medical device, semiconductor, aerospace, pharmaceutical, packaging, and many other industries.

DR. JACKSON THORNTON

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director of Research
I earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science from North Carolina State University, where my research focused on plasma chemistry, surface modification, and materials testing. My job: At TriboFilm, I'm fortunate to help some of the largest pharma companies in the world - as well as startup biotech / medical device makers reduce stiction (yes, that is a word!) and sub-visible particles. This in turn reduces product recall risk and improves patient safety. When your work directly impacts medical devices that save lives, it's easy to be motivated! Current focus: I'm helping a client reduce glide forces and break-loose forces for an auto-injector device, as well as improving the dose accuracy of numerous insulin infusion pumps.

JEROME J. CUOMO

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, Board of Directors and President - Member of the National Academy of Engineering and National Medal of Technology Laureate
After 30 years at IBM, I came to North Carolina to start a new phase in my life as a Distinguished Research Professor in the Materials Science & Engineering Department at North Carolina State University. There, I met Vinay Sakhrani, and the rest, as they say, is history. Though I co-invented and helped commercialized multi-million dollar projects at IBM, this was my first time as a start-up entrepreneur. Almost two decades later, I'm so proud of what TriboFilm Research has achieved, and the impact we are having in the medical device industry.

VINAY SAKHRANI

Job Titles:
  • VP of Technology
My job: To nurture client relationships and lead R&D innovation at TriboFilm Research, Inc.