Gary Beall, PhD
Associate Professor
Nanomaterials Applications Center at Texas State University

Educational path
· Undergraduate degree at Charleston State in Chemistry
· MBA and PhD at Baylor in Physical Chemistry

Special training for nanotechnology
I was working with nanotechnology before the term came out. I used to do work with colloids, which eventually led to nanotechnology.

Tips/Advice to jumpstart a career in nanotechnology
There are two pathways you can take. If you become involved in the research side you will need at least a PhD in one of the physical sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Material Science, and Biochemistry). The other pathway would be to get an undergraduate degree in a technical discipline, and then go into getting an MBA to take the business path to help start and run companies. Having that technical background will help immensely, especially when it comes to something like Nanotechnology.

Q. Why did you choose the field of nanotechnology?
A. It was kind of interesting. The company I worked for (as a technical director) in Chicago was already working with colloidal materials. We received a call from Dupont Research one day asking about nano deposits and we started a joint research effort. That kind of sucked me into nano-composites and nano-particles and their progressions. It was back in the early 90's, which was basically the dawning of the Nanotechnology era. I was lucky to get into it very early.

Q. How did you first get into nanotechnology?
A. Explained above.

Q. What is it like to work in nanotechnology?
A. It's very exciting because it's so diverse. Eventually nanotechnology may have the capability to touch almost every facet of life.