Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Materials, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2024
  • B.S.E., Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2019
Professional Honors
  • Heeger Travel Fellowship, UC Santa Barbara
  • Alfred H. White Memorial Scholarship for excellence in Materials Science
Professional Affiliations
  • Society of Plastics Engineers, Member, 2016-2019

Dr. Shannon is a materials engineer with diverse expertise in advanced materials characterization, polymer engineering, adhesive systems, and coatings. At Exponent, he supports clients in the technology, consumer electronics, and medical device sectors through failure analysis, characterization, and performance testing of materials and assemblies. His work focuses on understanding how materials behave in complex systems and in demanding environments, using tools such as SEM, spectroscopy, and mechanical testing to evaluate degradation, adhesion, and reliability. With a background in both experimental research and data-driven analysis, Dr. Shannon brings a multidisciplinary approach to solving materials challenges ranging from early-stage materials selection to root cause investigations of device failures in the field.

Dr. Shannon offers cross-disciplinary expertise in polymer science, adhesive systems, coatings, and the mechanical behavior of soft materials, with a focus on failure analysis, materials compatibility, and product reliability. He applies a range of analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile and fracture testing of polymers, adhesive testing (peel, lap shear), and X-ray scattering (SAXS), to translate complex materials behavior into actionable engineering insights. Their approach blends traditional materials characterization with modern methods such as machine learning (ML) based screening and data analytics (Python, MATLAB) to support precision engineering and accelerated materials development. Dr. Shannon consults with clients across the technology, consumer electronics, energy storage, and medical device industries, helping to resolve manufacturing challenges, qualify new materials, and investigate failures in both field and production environments. 

Before joining Exponent, Dr. Shannon completed their doctoral work at UC Santa Barbara, where they developed flow-based synthesis methods for advanced adhesives using machine learning-guided materials selection. Their research also focused on mechanically tunable, bio-inspired polymer films with enhanced mechanical and optical properties.