Things You Might Not Know About Carly:
I basically have two workspaces. One is where I write my reports and answer emails, and the other is in the lab doing my analysis.
Reading, crochet, video games with my husband and friends, cooking, and drinking wine with my mom at her neighborhood pond.
I am into rock right now, but I also enjoy metal, alternative, jazz, pop, and a bunch more.
(This is so cheesy BUT) The people I love around me. My mom and dad inspire me to be a strong woman, my twin sister inspires me to cherish those I love most, my husband inspires me to always believe in myself, my favorite professor in college inspired me to keep going even when it seems impossible, and my friends inspire me to smile every day.
Instant transportation. It would make visiting loved ones so easy!
The Princess Bride!!! The Old Guard is a close second…. Or Bullet Train.
Professionally, I would say more intricacies about rubber. Rubber is a fascinating material. Personally, I would learn to fly a plane for no reason other than I love flying and I think it would be the coolest.
Literally anything having to do with a potato. Especially if cheese is also involved.
Browning butter makes everything better.
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A Passion for Polymers
If polymers ever need a PR person, Carly Fischer is a shoe-in.
Brimming with enthusiasm for organic chemistry — and polymers in particular — Carly brings expertise and passion to her role as Chemist at IIA.
“I fell in love with chemistry in high school, and went on to the Missouri University of Science & Technology to study it,” says Carly, who credits her favorite professor, Dr. Thomas Schuman, for pointing her in the direction of polymers. “When it comes to organic chemistry, you either love it or you hate it; and I enjoy my polymers.”
While few of us could define a polymer; we all use them in everyday products such as diapers, nylon, plastic, furniture, pharmaceuticals and coatings on the microchips in your phone.
That versatility is one of the reasons Carly was drawn to the field.
“Polymers are really, really long chains of monomers with unique properties all their own. Most people don’t know what a polymer is, but the applications for polymers are endless,” she says. “Polymers are extremely broad in what you can do with them and what they can be comprised of.”
During her college years, Carly gained valuable research experience working in Dr. Schuman’s lab, where she studied the organic synthesis of a monomer for a polymer hydrogel. To build upon her research experience, Carly worked for an analytical company after graduating from Missouri S&T. But when she heard that IIA was looking for a Chemist with polymer expertise, it felt like fate.
In January 2023, Carly joined IIA’s St. Louis laboratory, where she helps clients understand the chemical and physical properties of polymers —information that can aid in quality control and product improvement.
As much as she loves a polymer, Carly’s favorite thing about working at IIA is the people.
“IIA has a very supportive environment that is focused on learning, and the people here are nice, fun and collaborative,” she says. “If I’m struggling with a specific project or I need a fresh set of eyes, my co-workers are great about helping out. Questions are never a bad thing at IIA.”
Along with the people, Carly enjoys the satisfaction of working for a company that makes the world safer.
“You feel like you’re making a difference at IIA,” says Carly.
As it turns out, polymers are not Carly’s only passion. In her free time, she has a diverse range of interests — from reading and crocheting to video games.
“I simultaneously have a 75-year-old and a 16-year-old in my heart competing with each other,” jokes Carly, who enjoys sharing her passion for polymers with IIA customers.
“I am a big nerd for polymers. I think they’re really great,” she says. “If you have questions about your polymers, there’s a good chance we can answer them.”
