Melissa Skarsten

About Melissa Skarsten

As a Chemical Engineer with a deep foundation in advanced materials and energy storage, I’ve built my career at the intersection of technology, strategy, and growth. After earning my degree from Arizona State University, I joined Urbix, where I spent five years progressing through diverse roles, from operations to laboratory management and eventually into business development. During that time, I established and led the company’s electrochemical laboratory, managed cross-functional technical initiatives, and developed a strong command of product commercialization in the battery materials space.My transition into Business Development was driven by a passion for connecting innovation with market opportunity. I successfully cultivated relationships with key OEMs and strategic partners, contributing to the company’s market positioning and long-term growth.In my current role as Business Development Lead for Anode Materials at Graphinex, I lead initiatives that drive strategic partnerships, market expansion, and revenue generation. I work across technical and commercial teams to define go-to-market strategies, scale operations, and unlock new business channels in a rapidly evolving sector.I am motivated by the challenge of transforming cutting-edge materials into scalable solutions and by the opportunity to advance sustainable, high-performance technologies that shape the future of energy.

Experience

1. Business Development Lead

   Graphinex

   Oct 2025 — Present · Phoenix, AZ, US

   As the Business Development Lead, I drive growth through strategic partnerships, market expansion, and revenue-generating opportunities. My role bridges cross-functional collaboration, sales enablement, and go-to-market strategy to scale business impact and open new channels.

Education

• Arizona State University

  Chemical Engineering, Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling Technology/Technician

  2017 — 2020