I am Julia Shamshina, Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University. I earned my PhD in Organic Synthesis and completed postdoctoral training in Analytical Chemistry at The University of Alabama. I previously worked in industry and startups, including Streamline Automation (aerospace and defense technologies supported by the U.S. Air Force and NASA), and 525 Solutions and Mari Signum where I served as Chief Scientific Officer and led development and commercialization of polymer-based technologies. I am a recipient of a NASA Tech Brief Award and the ACS Green Chemistry Challenge Award. My current work spans fundamental biopolymer science through industrial translation, with a strong emphasis on chitin-based materials and circular bioeconomy applications.