Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 2026
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 2020
Professional Honors
  • Dean’s Scholar Fellowship, University of Virginia School of Engineering & Applied Science, 2020-2022
  • University Scholars Fellowship, University of Florida, 2019

Kelly Bukovic, Ph.D., is a chemical engineering and polymer scientist specializing in the design, synthesis, and characterization of advanced polymeric materials. She leverages her multidisciplinary background in polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, and biomolecular engineering to consult on projects addressing complex technical challenges involving responsive polymeric materials, coatings, biomaterials and drug delivery.

Dr. Bukovic has expertise in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, including the design and synthesis of low dispersity, surface-attachable polymers with controlled functionality. She also has experience evaluating the stability and performance of glass coatings in aqueous environments, providing insight into coating durability, interfacial behavior, and material degradation. She has extensive experience in polymer and materials characterization techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and contact angle goniometry (surface wettability). Her background is particularly applicable to polymer and biomaterial failure analysis, including investigations into material-related causes of performance issues and the stability and degradation of polymeric coatings.

Before joining Exponent, Dr. Bukovic earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia. Her doctoral research explored the structure-property relationships connecting thermoresponsive polymer design with stability and surface wettability. She also investigated the reversible complexation of therapeutic peptides for controlled drug delivery and hydrogel crosslinking strategies for applications in regenerative medicine.