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# J6 Employee Spotlight - Dr. Vaibhav Jain

By J6 Communications

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**Name:** Dr. Vaibhav Jain

**Organization:** DLA J68, Research & Development (R&D)

**Years of Service:** Eight years (six years with DLA and two with the Navy)

**What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically?**

Currently, I am working as a Small Business Innovation Program R&D projects portfolio program manager. In my position, I’m responsible for managing the day-to-day activities for more than 60 projects related to strategic and critical materials, rare earths, additive manufacturing, and recycling within DOD and DLA. My team works directly with various DLA and DOD subject matter experts in creating mission critical requirements for the warfighter. My team is highly successful in transitioning some of the low technology readiness level projects to either a DOD program of record or private industry with significant commercialization activity.

**What is your background, including experience and credentials? How does your background help you be successful in your current role?**

I have a PhD in Macromolecular Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech. My background in materials science and chemical engineering directly helps in managing various R&D projects involving technical details on materials form, processes, and applications for the warfighter. In addition, I’m currently certified in Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Program Management Level 3 and am a Project Management Professional.

**What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction?  Why?**

The best part of my job is making an impact on the warfighter and solving immediate issues related to the DOD supply chain, foreign dependence, or obsolescence.  Also, I enjoy learning about science and engineering through R&D projects, as every technical approach could be different, and it helps me learn something new every day.

**What are some of your passions outside of work?    **

I love to cook, especially Indian food, and with that comes the happiness of entertaining family and friends with new recipes. If the time and situation permit, I also love traveling to historically significant places.

I have two young kids who are my greatest joy and passion. There are no dull moments when I am with them, and I love watching them perform at soccer games, tennis matches, violin recitals, and all the times we have been on numerous field trips.

**What advice do you have for DLA employees?**

My advice to other DLA employees is to continue to seek self-improvement. Learn new skills to improve your contribution to the warfighter. The DLA and DOD supply chain world is constantly changing, as we have seen during these COVID times. Learning new ways to support the agency’s mission creates value that would make you indispensable.

**What****other self-initiated efforts have you worked on?**

I am proud to support DLA in developing a few of the game-changing R&D ideas for materials recycling and recovery. Some of these materials are of critical importance to various weapons system platforms, and currently there is no domestic production. The R&D ideas I developed are on recovering scrap materials from DLA, DOD, or U.S. production, which had no significant value in the past but now are ending up becoming a key feedstock for solving part of the materials crisis for DOD.

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