Academic Credentials
  • Sc.D., Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1993
  • B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1990
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer, Maryland, #46268
Professional Honors
  • Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers
  • National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering, 2009
  • Tau Beta Pi
  • Sigma Xi
  • John Wulff Award
  • Carl Loeb Fellowship
  • NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
  • Malcolm G. Kispert Award
  • GTE Academic All-American
Professional Affiliations
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (member)
  • American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists—AATCC (senior member)
  • American Chemical Society (member)
  • ASTM International (member)
  • Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (member)
  • Society of Plastics Engineers (Fellow)
  • Professional Appointments
  • Underwriter's Laboratory Standards Technical Panel STP 746 (Polymeric Materials, includes UL94, UL 746 and UL1694)
  • Underwriter's Laboratory Standards Technical Panel STP 758 (Appliance Wires/ UL758)
  • Medical Plastics Division Board of Directors, Society of Plastics Engineers
  • Failure Analysis and Prevention Special Interest Group Board of Directors, Society of Plastics Engineers

Dr. Reitman leverages her understanding of the fundamental principles of materials science and the technology of macromolecules to assess risk and performance for end users, distributors, manufacturers, product designers and raw material suppliers across a wide range of industries. Her expertise includes polymer and composite technology, mechanics of materials, adhesion science, fiber mechanics, history and technology of plastics, and material failure analysis. 

Dr. Reitman is skilled in the development and use of testing tools and methods and has applied them to plastics, rubber, textile, metal, glass, ceramic, and composite materials and systems. She is experienced in major aspects of product development, including materials selection, formulation, scale-up, end-use testing, failure analysis, certification procedures and issues related to intellectual property.

Dr. Reitman has conducted research in the areas of medical plastics and devices including implants, diagnostic components, and transdermal drug delivery systems; plastic packaging and barrier materials; paints and coatings; plastic pipes; spray foam insulation; adhesives, sealants, and encapsulants; additive manufacturing / 3D printing; molding compounds; composite materials; high temperature resins; rubber gaskets and seals; nanoparticles; fibers and textiles; polymer chemical resistance; wire and cable insulation; connectors and splices; environmental effects on durability; and product aging.

She has used her expertise to address problems and opportunities related to coatings, fibers, films, and extruded and molded products, and their use in the telecom, electronics, electrical, energy, transportation, construction, fire protection, medical, and consumer products markets. Dr. Reitman also assists clients with matters related to intellectual property, including support related to patent filings, technical due diligence, and technical aspects of trade secret, patent infringement, and patent validity disputes.

Dr. Reitman is active in technical and business advisory roles. She has served on technical advisory boards for materials and manufacturing companies as well as in several Board of Directors positions for the Medical Plastics Division and the Failure Analysis and Prevention Special Interest Group of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Dr. Reitman is also a voting member of two Underwriters Laboratories Standard Technical Panels, addressing Polymeric Materials (UL 94, UL 746, UL 1694) and Appliance Wiring (UL758).

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Reitman worked for the 3M Company in both research and management roles. Her activities included technology identification, materials selection and qualification, product development, customer support, program management, acquisition integration, staff and organizational development, intellectual property analysis, and patent litigation support.