Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Materials Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2020
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2016
Additional Education & Training
  • Understanding ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for Testing & Calibration Laboratories, Certificate of Competence, A2LA Workplace Training (AWPT), 2026.
  • Polyethylene Pipe Large Diameter Fusion Operator Qualification (Butt Fusion per ASTM F2620), McElroy University™, 2022
  • Polyethylene Pipe Fusion Inspector Qualification (Socket Fusion, Saddle Fusion, Butt Fusion, Data Logging, Joint Integrity Testing per ASTM F2620 and ASTM F3124), McElroy University™, 2022
  • 20th National School on Neutron and X-Ray Scattering, Argonne National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2018.
Professional Honors
  • Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research (DOE SCGSR) Fellowship, 2019
Professional Affiliations
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) Member
  • The Plastic Pipe Institute (PPI) Task Group Member

Dr. Fox is a materials and polymer scientist specializing in the analysis of the physical and chemical properties of polymer materials and complex fluids, including engineering thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, crosslinked thermosets, high-performance polymers, liquid crystal polymers, hydrogels, organogels, emulsions, polymer nanocomposites, carbon nanomaterials (i.e., graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black), surfactants, polyelectrolytes, polymer electrolyte membranes, solid-state battery membranes, shear thickening fluids, colloidal suspensions, self-assembled nanostructures, nanoparticle dispersions, bioadhesive membranes, foams, and antifoams.

Dr. Fox assists clients in understanding the structure-function-property relationships and failure modes of such materials in a wide variety of industries and applications, such as oil, gas, and water pipelines, electrical cables and wiring, construction materials (adhesives, sealants, coatings, membranes, etc.), medical devices, sporting equipment, automotive components, and consumer electronic devices, among others.

Dr. Fox led the establishment of and is the manager for Exponent's ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited thermal analysis laboratory in Bowie, MD. In this role, he develops and implements laboratory-specific technical procedures, documentation, and controls required for accreditation, including method validation, standard operating procedures, equipment calibration and maintenance programs, measurement traceability, training and competency records, data review processes, and records management. He manages accredited testing activities involving thermal analysis of polymeric and related materials, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and supports continued compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements through internal audits, corrective actions, proficiency testing, uncertainty evaluations, and continual improvement of laboratory processes. Through this work, Dr. Fox supports the generation of accurate and traceable analytical data for materials characterization, product evaluations, failure investigations, and related matters.

Dr. Fox routinely investigates failures of piping systems manufactured from polyethylene (MDPE, HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, CPVC), and other polymeric materials. He is an active member of the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) and has provided consulting services for clients including pipe and fitting manufacturers as well as pipeline operators and owners. He is a certified pipe fusion inspector and large diameter pipe butt fusion operator with a deep working knowledge of material property testing and industry standards for pipe and pipe joining methods. Moreover, he is able to employ his extensive experience applying physical and chemical analytical techniques to solve materials-related questions and to perform root-cause investigations, including oscillatory and steady-shear rheology, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), tensile testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), capillary viscometry, small- and wide-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic and static light scattering (DLS/SLS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Fox was a graduate research assistant at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences. His research focused on the structure, rheology, and nanocomposites of liquid crystal polymers. As part of his doctoral research, Dr. Fox was funded by the Department of Energy as a visiting researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory employing rheo-SANS to investigate the structure and alignment of liquid crystal polymers under shear.