We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Curry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

Most people will say that the most innovative thing I have accomplished in my career so far is my discoveries of bio-inspired, eco-friendly plastics made from natural products such as plants and their unique application in lowering the carbon footprint. However, I would say that my most significant innovation is the usage of these technologies to create opportunities for students and scientists of color at the legendary Tuskegee University – a Historically Black College/University – to receive mentorship and training in areas critical to their development in STEM.

Michael, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in a small-town atmosphere in Bay Springs, MS. My parents are Ira G. Curry, Sr., and Rosie Lee Curry, and I am the youngest boy of 8 siblings. Shortly after high school graduation, I enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard a nuclear-powered submarine, where I gained my passion for science and technology. Not seeing many people that looked like me in STEM, I decided to dedicate my lifeworks to increasing the number of highly trained minority professionals within the STEM and entrepreneurship pipelines, strategically moving the needle forward on minority-inspired innovations, and powerfully influencing the movement of STEM diversity. I became a professor and researcher at the legendary Tuskegee University – a Historically Black College/University, and a STEM entrepreneur to fulfill this mission. This journey began with me earning a B.S. degree in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from The University of West Alabama in 1999 and a Ph.D. degree in Analytical Chemistry with a research focus on Materials Science from The University of Alabama in 2004. Since then, I have used my scientific innovations to create partnerships and programs that provide educational and training opportunities for students at historically under-resourced minority-serving institutions. These career efforts have led me to receive national recognition, awards, and media highlights.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

A great mentor of mines once told me while I was in graduate school that media branding of your products is the key to building your reputation in your market. I have used this fellowship in all of my research and entrepreneur endeavors.

How did you build your audience on social media?

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Contact Info:

• Website: www.drmikec.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077510994506
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-curry-myprimecareer/
• Other: https://epmsustainables.com/

Image Credits
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