Dr. Weina Li is currently a Technical Fellow in Materials and Chemistry at Carrier. In this role, Weina leads essential efforts to elevate engineering capabilities, drive technological advancements, and cultivate the next generation of engineers within the company. As the first female Fellow at Carrier, Weina is both a scientific pioneer and a champion for women in STEM.
Weina’ s engineering journey began with her Ph.D. research from the University of Connecticut, specializing in nanomaterials synthesis, characterization, and applications. Inspired by her passion for applying her expertise to create impactful products, she pursued a career path that led her to innovation and research in technology development for aerospace and renewable energy applications. Among her notable accomplishments is her leadership in securing $1.2 million in government funding for the development of lightweight, environmentally friendly materials for aerospace applications. Her ability to unite multidisciplinary teams—from internal engineering groups to academic partners and vendors—has enabled her to lead high-impact projects to successful outcomes. In energy storage, her work on flow battery technology has resulted in both government-backed initiatives and commercial applications, advancing sustainability goals and energy resilience.
Before her current role, Weina held key leadership positions at Carrier, including serving as the suppression chemistry lead, overseeing a diverse global team of business units, academic collaborators, and vendors. Her leadership improved collaboration, program management efficiency, and deliverable oversight, resulting in enhanced performance and cost-effectiveness in suppression agent manufacturing and the development of sustainable products. Her strategic foresight in building partnerships and aligning technology development with business goals has enabled the successful delivery of next-generation solutions tailored to customer needs.
Weina’ s contributions are further reflected in her impressive portfolio of intellectual property and scholarly work. She is the inventor on 14 granted U.S. patents, with 7 more pending, and the author of 13 peer-reviewed journal articles and two book chapters. Her technical excellence has earned her numerous awards, including the prestigious “R&D 100” Award, the Carrier “CTO Rapid Innovator” Award, the Engineering Award for “Building Best Teams”, and multiple “Outstanding Achievement” Awards from United Technologies Research Center. She currently serves on the board of the University of Connecticut’s Institute of Materials Science, helping to guide academic-industry partnerships and talent development initiatives.
Beyond her technical achievements, Weina is deeply committed to mentorship, inclusion, and community service. She has personally mentored numerous early-career engineers and interns, many of whom attribute their professional growth to her support and guidance. Within Carrier, she champions cultural awareness and inclusivity, leading celebration events and initiatives that promote belonging and representation. In her local community, she volunteers in schools and language programs to help youth appreciate cultural diversity and explore opportunities in STEM fields.
Throughout her 22+ year career, Weina has consistently demonstrated the technical leadership, innovative thinking, and community spirit emblematic of the SASE Career Achievement Award. Her sustained contributions to technology, mentorship, and inclusion make her a deserving candidate for this distinguished honor.