Dr Rod MartinRod Martin is an internationally renowned scientist with over 25 years experience in experimental and analytical engineering mechanics research and consultancy on composite materials.  He is currently Chief Executive Officer MERL Ltd, responsible for the management, technical direction, business development, strategic position, financial performance and assets and resources of the company.

In 1987 Dr Martin was invited to NASA as an Exchange Visitor after competing in an international competition for US National Research Council funds. He returned to the UK in 1994, and in 1999 he ran an MBO to buy MERL with other staff and directors and became CEO.

His research involves developing life prediction methodologies for composite structures, this includes developing generic material characterisation tests, evaluating effects of impact damage, analysing composite structures and evaluating fracture mechanics based failure criteria determining effect of hostile environments on structural properties.  He is an expert in finite element analysis and the operation of advanced testing systems. He has wide knowledge of most engineering aspects of composite materials and well known in the military, commercial and rotor craft international aerospace sectors. 

Dr Martin has won important oil and gas contracts on composite materials and now has a growing knowledge of FRPs in the offshore and automotive industries.  He is editor of two books on composites (ageing and fracture) and is currently co-editing a book on Biocomposites.  He was elected Chair of the British Composites Society in 2009.