The July 22nd issue of Rubber Review is now online
Bangkok, Thailand – In this issue we have a conversation with with Dr. Katrina Cornish, Center Director, U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Few individuals have left such a lasting mark on the global rubber industry as Dr. Katrina Cornish. A trailblazer in alternative natural rubber sources, she has spent decades working across government, academia, and industry to reduce America’s dependence on imported Hevea rubber. Her work with guayule and other temperate-climate rubber crops has not only opened new possibilities for bio-based materials but has also positioned the U.S. to reclaim strategic control over a critical raw material.
Dr. Cornish’s career reflects a rare blend of scientific brilliance, entrepreneurial grit, and policy advocacy. From her early days at the
USDA to founding EnergyEne and multiple other startup companies, and leading research at Ohio State University, she has consistently turned bold ideas into scalable innovations. Her mentorship of the next generation of scientists and her leadership in interdisciplinary research are helping to build a sustainable, resilient future for the rubber industry.