Kristin Schmidt

About Kristin Schmidt

Principal Scientist, Senior Manager, and Strategy Assistant at IBM Research, working at the intersection of materials innovation, AI, and strategy. I lead programs that build AI-enabled capabilities that drive real-world outcomes—especially in domains where scientific complexity, uncertainty, and risk management matter.With training in polymer chemistry and physics, I bring deep domain expertise in material science and discovery, especially in the field of using block copolymers for lithography and photovoltaic applications. I’ve since specialized in AI for materials discovery, with an emphasis on human-in-the-loop and agentic workflows—building systems where expert judgment and AI agents operate together to accelerate discovery while maintaining transparency and trust.Today, I’m focused on applying AI to identify concerning materials in supply chains and enable safer substitutions, helping organizations reduce risk and improve resilience while meeting regulatory, sustainability, and performance requirements.I’m energized by roles that combine technical leadership, cross-functional execution, and strategy—aligning scientists, engineers, and stakeholders around measurable outcomes.

Experience

1. Senior Manager of Safer Materials Advisor

   IBM

   Jan 2025 — Present · San Francisco, CA, US

   Led the launch of IBM’s Safer Materials Advisor from concept to GTM, building a 35‑person global cross‑functional team to deliver an AI‑enabled risk‑assessment capability. Work included overseeing user studies that shaped the product design and roadmap, and driving adoption through targeted outreach, events, and client partnerships. Executive sponsorship was secured through briefings with IBM’s CEO and senior leadership. The resulting AI capabilities, designed to identify concerning materials and recommend safer alternatives, earned the IBM Sustainability Innovation Prize and multiple internal awards.

Education

• University of Bayreuth

  PhD, physical chemistry

  2003 — 2007

Skills

• Materials Science
• Structural Analysis
• Xrr
• Photovoltaics
• Nanoparticles
• Polymer Characterization
• Chemistry
• Gixd
• Design of Experiments
• Physical Chemistry
• Corel Draw
• Electrochemistry
• Organic Electronics
• Graphic Design
• Organic Solar Cells
• Xps
• Polymer Physics
• Powder X-Ray Diffraction
• Programming
• Nexafs
• Polymer Science
• Nanomaterials
• Polymers
• Afm
• Block Copolymers
• Thin Films
• Polymer Chemistry
• Project Management
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Surface Chemistry
• Gisaxs
• Characterization
• Saxs
• Spectroscopy
• Materials
• Nanotechnology
• Microscopy