Materia, Inc. has announced the election of former Dow Chemical vice president Robert J. Pangborn, Ph.D. to its Board of Directors. Now an independent consultant, Dr. Pangborn lends his extensive experience in the areas of research, application development and strategic positioning to the developing CalTech spin-off. Pangborn served as vice president of Central and New Business R&D at Dow Chemical from 1993 to 1998. Programs in his organization varied from advanced polymeric and ceramic materials development for a range of industries to computer modeling and catalyst development. From 1976 to 1993, Pangborn held several R&D and business management positions in Dow Plastics.