Professional Overview
Amir Soleimanpour, Ph.D., MBA is currently the Director of Research and Development at Hoya Vision Care, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has held this leadership position since July 2022, bringing more than 10 years of industry experience managing and leading multi-disciplinary teams focused on innovation, new product development, and strategic management within high-technology sectors. His role at Hoya Vision Care underscores his involvement at the intersection of research, product innovation, and strategic market positioning.
Educational Background
- MBA, University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management (2018–2021)
Focused areas include management, supply chain, entrepreneurship management, business plan development, strategic management, and leadership.
- Ph.D. in Engineering/Materials Science (Completed circa 2013) — University of Toledo (inferred from publication affiliations)
His doctoral research concentrated on nanocrystalline thin films, gas sensor materials, and advanced materials characterization.
- Additional earlier degrees (2000–2013) were acquired in scientific and engineering disciplines, likely including materials science, engineering coatings, and advanced physical/materials chemistry (exact institutions partially redacted).
Work Experience
- Director of Research and Development, Hoya Vision Care (July 2022–Present)
Leading new product initiatives in a vision care company aligned with the mission “Improving life through vision.” Responsible for overseeing advanced R&D projects that drive product innovation related to optical technologies.
- Prior roles include over three years at eyesafe, which specializes in eye health-focused technology (approximately 3 years 4 months tenure), indicating sector-relevant experience in eye care technologies before joining Hoya.
- Earlier technical and research roles at University of Toledo and other scientific institutions focused heavily on materials science, with expertise in sol-gel processes, thin film fabrication, gas sensor development, and surface engineering.
Research and Technical Expertise
Amir Soleimanpour’s research profile is extensive and highly technical, supporting expertise relevant for advanced product materials and sensing technologies:
- Developed nanocrystalline nickel oxide (NiO) thin films via sol-gel methods with demonstrated applications in selective gas sensing (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, methane). His work includes optimizing microstructure for improved sensitivity and selectivity.
- Demonstrated impact of thermal annealing, laser irradiation, and doping (Li, Al) on semiconductor thin films' electrical and gas sensing properties, showing advanced knowledge of nano/material property tuning.
- Published peer-reviewed technical papers on sensor technologies relevant to gas detection, optical coatings, and thin-film fabrication technologies. These involve:
- High sensitivity hydrogen gas sensors operational at low temperatures.
- Aluminum-doped zinc oxide films showing enhanced electrical performance for reducing gas sensor applications.
- Effects of processing parameters on crystalline phases, optical band gap, and photoconductivity in thin films, demonstrating a materials engineering focus relevant to optical and sensing applications integral to vision-related technologies.
- Familiar with multiple manufacturing techniques including sol-gel coating, reactive RF magnetron sputtering, and spin coating, underscoring practical experience in scalable production methods for optical materials.
Professional Skills and Certifications
- Strong leadership in strategic management combined with deep technical R&D expertise bridges scientific discovery and market-driven product development.
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, indicating capability in process improvement and quality control essential in manufacturing environments.
- Completed a Professional Tribology course at MIT and Analytical Techniques in Organic Materials, illustrating a broad technical foundation that complements materials science expertise.
Industry and Professional Affiliations
- Member of several respected professional societies, including:
- IEEE
- American Physical Society (APS)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Vacuum Society
- The Society of Vacuum Coaters
These memberships demonstrate engagement with professional communities specializing in physics, engineering, materials science, and vacuum coating technologies.
Geographic and Contact Information
- Located in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area, aligning with Hoya Vision Care’s headquarters and operations in this region.
- Public LinkedIn profile: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amsol](https://www.linkedin.com/in/amsol)
Notable Contributions and Interests
- Soleimanpour’s academic and industrial research contributions center on innovations in thin film material properties to optimize performance characteristics of optical and gas sensor devices, a technical core relevant to Hoya Vision Care’s product portfolio.
- His publications emphasize optimizing sensing performance under variable environmental conditions (e.g., humidity, temperature) and enhancing repeatability and selectivity—insights crucial for developing reliable vision care products and supporting regulatory or commercial validation efforts.
- His blend of advanced technical knowledge and strategic business management from his MBA positions him to effectively bridge technical innovation and market implementation.
This profile reveals Amir Soleimanpour as a technically accomplished leader with a specialty in material sciences related to sensing and optical applications, leveraged within a product development framework at Hoya Vision Care. His dual Ph.D. and MBA background combined with leadership in R&D and memberships in premier scientific societies reflect a resource capable of driving sophisticated innovation in vision care technologies.
