Drew Sfirri

As the Composites Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) manager, Drew oversees all hands-on research conducted in the lab. He has been a part of CERL operations since 2012, when he joined the laboratory as a junior technician training under Andrew Schoenberg while studying Composite Science and Manufacturing. Drew has developed an expertise in both manufacturing and testing of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) seen throughout the 5 major composites industries (Marine, Wind/Alternative Energy, Aerospace/Avionics, Microelectronics, Consumer/Construction) and has risen through the ranks to his current role of managing the day-to-day research (both industry and academic facing) operations in the lab; client relations, project proposal drafting, testing and data analysis, student supervision and mentoring, and reporting.

Drew’s expertise in composites manufacturing is backed by the American Composites Manufacturing Association’s (ACMA) Certified Composites Technician program. Drew earned his CCT-VIP certification in 2014 and was re-certified in 2022 after completing the program to become a Certified Instructor (CCT-I) on behalf of ACMA.

In his free time Drew likes to collect skills which routinely come in handy in lab. He is a 3D printing and CAD expert; can program, operate, and repair CNC and manual machines; is able to weld and fabricate metal parts; and is capable of low-level programming for Arduino & Python devices. Drew has also built a forge for hobby blacksmithing and knife making.