Lawrence Hancock, Ph.D.

Lawrence Hancock, Ph.D.

1983, 1988g

Chief Executive Officer, Akita Innovations LLC

Lawrence "Larry" Hancock is a Founder and the Chief Executive Officer of Akita Innovations LLC. Hancock has over 30 years of experience in research, development, and commercialization of emerging materials technologies. He has a diverse background in applied polymer science, including materials chemistry and physical properties as well as engineered materials such composites, membranes, textiles, and sensory materials. Previously, Hancock led the Materials and Photonics group of FLIR Systems, CBRNE Detection Division. 

Hancock holds BS, MS and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer Science from The Pennsylvania State University and completed post-doctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He delivered the Department of Materials Science and Engineering Richard E. Tressler Lecture in 2020 and served as a member of the Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) board from 2014-19.

Larry is married to Beth Hancock (’84 BS, ’87 MS Polymer Science Penn State) and they have two children.