Lauren Brace

// Materials Scientist // CWR ’06, GRS ’07, ‘12 // 29 //

Lauren Brace must keep her cutting-edge work at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron confidential, but this much she can share: She’s helping develop the wheels of the future.

The St. Louis native, who works on all aspects of tire development, chose the position as a senior materials scientist for its blend of chemistry and engineering. “A lot of people don’t realize how many components go into tires,” she says. “It’s not just a round hunk of rubber.”

Whether it’s air retention, fuel economy or traction performance, Brace loves applying her expertise to actual products. “I almost never see the same thing twice,” she says.

When she’s not innovating at the office, Brace helps organize the Engineering Career Day at Goodyear to encourage young students—especially girls— to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. —LC