Key Personnel

Dr. Stephen Spiegelberg, President
Steve has over 25 years of experience in analytical characterization of materials. He has a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from MIT. Before forming Cambridge Polymer Group, Steve conducted post-doctoral research at Harvard University, where he examined the extensional rheology of polymer solutions. His work at Cambridge Polymer Group has focused heavily on polymers used in biomedical applications, including polyethylene and various hydrogel systems. He has also designed test methodologies, processing steps for the crosslinked polyethylenes used in hip and knee replacements, device design and testing, and holds several patents in this area. He has experience in instrument design and fabrication. He chairs several ASTM task forces.


Dr. Gavin Braithwaite, Vice President of Research
Gavin manages the R&D efforts at CPG. He has been working with colloids, surfaces and polymers in solution for over 20 years. He has a B.Sc. in Physics from Edinburgh University, specializing in acoustics and fluids, a Masters in Electronics from Southampton University, specializing in digital radio communication strategies, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College (London), where he worked on adsorbed polymer layers and colloidal stability. For this work, he built and used an AFM to probe the interparticle forces due to adsorbed polymer layers. He is an expert in instrument design, having designed an atomic force microscope for his thesis and a number of custom instruments since joining CPG. He also designed a micro-shear rheometer as part of his post-doctoral research at MIT, where he investigated the rheology of confined polymer solutions and melts. He has a number of issued patents on topics as diverse as an extensional rheometer (now marketed as the CaBER), a method for making biomimetic collagen layers, and on methods for making, and uses for, hydrogels. At Cambridge Polymer Group, he is managing the main research efforts. Gavin has expertise in polymer gel formulation and characterization, and focuses a large part of his research on associating polymer systems. His primary interest is polymers in solution and in colloidal systems.


Mary Osward, Quality Manager
Mary manages CPG's Quality Systems program. Mary has a BS in Chemistry from Bridgewater State and a Masters in Management from Emmanuel College. Mary has worked as the laboratory manager for a consumer products company, as well as the Quality Manager for Emerson & Cuming. At CPG, Mary ensures that CPG's quality programs and procedures are consistent with national and international standards, where applicable, and that regular improvements are made to provide the best service possible to our clients.