Linda Graf
Linda Graf has over forty years experience in STEM positions, including corrosion consultant, process engineer, applications engineer, quality control engineer, chemical engineer, product marketing manager, quality validation specialist and quality validation manager. She has worked in a number of diverse companies from Kennecott Copper Corporation where she was a corrosion consultant for an off-site in-situ Copper mining project to Wyeth/Pfizer where she was a senior quality validation specialist and quality validation manager, with areas of expertise in Equipment Cleaning, Steaming, Depyrogenation, and Autoclave Sterilization. While at Pfizer, Linda became certified as an ASQ (American Society of Quality) Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), Quality Engineer (CQE) and Quality Manager (CQM). She also worked with a world team of professionals to publish the Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) Technical Report #48 “Moist Heat Sterilizer Systems”, May 2010.
Most recently, Linda has published a STEM novel describing the journey of a STEM woman who became successful despite the failures and gender bias she encountered in her life and career. The book is called “To Caroline-Love, Auntie”, and was the subject of an interview by renowned journalist Laurie Kirby on “Woman’s Watch’, WBZ Radio. STEM connector, a consortium of institutions concerned with STEM education, included a write-up on her book in their national newsletter STEMdaily.
Linda Graf has a BS in Chemistry Simmons College, Boston, MA.
MS in Chemical Engineering Tufts University, Medford, MA.
(Full Academic Scholarship)
MBA in Marketing Bentley College, Waltham, MA.
Additional Positions Held
At Polaroid Corporation, Linda was a QC Engineer, Process Engineer, and a Chemical Engineer who developed a viable production process for the removal of salts from solutions using artificial kidney dialyzers. The salt transfer processes were fully characterized as part of her MS Thesis, “Characterization of an Artificial Kidney Dialyzer by the Removal of Salts from an Anionic Surfactant Solution”.
As a Senior Applications Engineer at Instron Corporation, Linda used both her marketing and engineering expertise to develop the specifications for a new rheology software package in order to automate existing rheology equipment and increase Instron’s presence in that market.
She served as Instron’s Representative to the ASTM D20 (Plastics) Committee, and taught a one-day course in “Plastics Testing” at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Linda was a Product Marketing Manager at Allen-Bradley (now Rockwell International), responsible for developing the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) from the engineering concept stage to product introduction. Based on her marketing package, the RTU won the 1990 Most Innovative Product Award.
As a Documentation/Validation Engineer at Millipore Corporation, Linda created documentation packages for Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology customers for validation of automated and manual Tangential Flow and Chromatography Systems purchased from Millipore (Automation via Allen-Bradley PLCs with Intellution “FIX” interface).
She wrote the Software Functional Specifications for the automated systems, and performed Software Development Tests when required.
Most recently, Linda has published a STEM novel describing the journey of a STEM woman who became successful despite the failures and gender bias she encountered in her life and career. The book is called “To Caroline-Love, Auntie”, and was the subject of an interview by renowned journalist Laurie Kirby on “Woman’s Watch’, WBZ Radio. STEM connector, a consortium of institutions concerned with STEM education, included a write-up on her book in their national newsletter STEMdaily.
Linda Graf has a BS in Chemistry Simmons College, Boston, MA.
MS in Chemical Engineering Tufts University, Medford, MA.
(Full Academic Scholarship)
MBA in Marketing Bentley College, Waltham, MA.
Additional Positions Held
At Polaroid Corporation, Linda was a QC Engineer, Process Engineer, and a Chemical Engineer who developed a viable production process for the removal of salts from solutions using artificial kidney dialyzers. The salt transfer processes were fully characterized as part of her MS Thesis, “Characterization of an Artificial Kidney Dialyzer by the Removal of Salts from an Anionic Surfactant Solution”.
As a Senior Applications Engineer at Instron Corporation, Linda used both her marketing and engineering expertise to develop the specifications for a new rheology software package in order to automate existing rheology equipment and increase Instron’s presence in that market.
She served as Instron’s Representative to the ASTM D20 (Plastics) Committee, and taught a one-day course in “Plastics Testing” at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA.
Linda was a Product Marketing Manager at Allen-Bradley (now Rockwell International), responsible for developing the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) from the engineering concept stage to product introduction. Based on her marketing package, the RTU won the 1990 Most Innovative Product Award.
As a Documentation/Validation Engineer at Millipore Corporation, Linda created documentation packages for Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology customers for validation of automated and manual Tangential Flow and Chromatography Systems purchased from Millipore (Automation via Allen-Bradley PLCs with Intellution “FIX” interface).
She wrote the Software Functional Specifications for the automated systems, and performed Software Development Tests when required.
Girl Powered Event (October 26, 2019)

SWE asked Linda to monitor an event at Hopkinton High School. Linda was invited to Hopkinton High School’s Girl Powered Event by Doug Scott, Business/Technology/Engineering Subject matter Lead, 6-12. A majority of her time was spent with the Girls Robotics Club, where robots were programmed via cell phone App, and coded at individual stations. Additional activities included Jenga Station, Rocket Launch Event, 3D Printer Activity, and Large Scale Robotics Operation and Construction.
Women in STEM Career Day (October 24, 2019)
October 24, 2019 - Linda Graf was invited to participate in North Andover High School “Women in STEM Career Day. This MASS STEM Week event provides high school students with the opportunity to meet with local STEM women and to ask questions about career paths. Organized by Kara Larcome, pK-12 STEM Director North Andover Public Schools.
Oliver Wendell High School (May 20, 2019)
Olivia Pierce, President of SWE chapter at Oliver Wendell High School in Easton, MA, organized a STEM event at her school that was held at her school on May 20, 2019. Linda Graf, a Pfizer retiree and a STEM Chemist and Chemical Engineer, shared the story of her journey from high school to today, with 12 students and two faculty members, Katie Walker, Math Teacher and Advisor, and Mary Romans Math Department Chairperson.
The themes of Graf’s presentation were to never give up when you are face to face with failure, there is always something else waiting for you, and the flexibility in a STEM curriculum will allow you to move within the fields with very little difficulty. As an example, Graf presented the various jobs she had which encompassed positions in chemistry, chemical and mechanical engineering, statistics and programming. Graf expressed her appreciation for the invitation extended by Olivia and wished the students well.
The themes of Graf’s presentation were to never give up when you are face to face with failure, there is always something else waiting for you, and the flexibility in a STEM curriculum will allow you to move within the fields with very little difficulty. As an example, Graf presented the various jobs she had which encompassed positions in chemistry, chemical and mechanical engineering, statistics and programming. Graf expressed her appreciation for the invitation extended by Olivia and wished the students well.
International Women's Day Celebration with NSBE Boston (3/13/2019)
SWE Boston celebrated International Women’s Day with NSBE Boston Professionals and Autodesk Boston on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT). In line with this year’s official International Women’s Day campaign theme #BalanceforBetter, we will be featuring a panel discussion on how to create and obtain balance between professional, personal, and day to day activities.
In line with this year's official International Women’s Day campaign of #BalanceforBetter, the theme of our event will be Balancing the equation. We will be celebrating with a diverse all women panel discussion and networking event. Each of our speakers have been able to capitalize their strengths in order to create their own success. Food and drinks will be provided. There will also be a raffle giveaway.
In line with this year's official International Women’s Day campaign of #BalanceforBetter, the theme of our event will be Balancing the equation. We will be celebrating with a diverse all women panel discussion and networking event. Each of our speakers have been able to capitalize their strengths in order to create their own success. Food and drinks will be provided. There will also be a raffle giveaway.