Cynthia A. Hoover, PhD '95 (Chemistry)
Director of Applications R&D, Praxair, Inc.
"I joined, and am co-leading, the CBE Advisory Board at the State University of New York at Buffalo because I am very interested in helping in the development and advancement of engineers. Being an alumnus of UB and a recruiter of UB students at Praxair also made it an easy decision when I was asked. Another benefit is getting to know other colleagues with similar interests."
-Cynthia
Cynthia Hoover completed her PhD in synthetic organometallic chemistry at the University at Buffalo in 1995 and is currently the director of applications R&D in research and development at Praxair, Inc. in Tonawanda.
In her current role, working very closely with global market development and the regional businesses, Dr. Hoover is responsible setting the strategic direction, developing roadmaps and resourcing, and developing and commercializing emerging technologies in the global Healthcare, Electronics, Specialty Gases, Food and Water growth markets.
The holder of several patents, Dr. Hoover began her career as a research chemist, and then joined Praxair in 1997 as a development associate in Electronics R&D. She had a four-year stint as manager of Praxair’s organometallics research and development department before she was named director of electronics research and development in 2005. In 2008, she was named director of breakthrough innovation and in 2009, she became the director of Healthcare and Biopharma R&D. She accepted her most recent position in 2013.
During her rapid ascension, she has balanced her job – and its travel – with raising five young children (ranging from fourteen to five years of age) with her husband, Rick.