Dr. Sophie Nunno-Gorbachev
CEO & FOUNDER
Sophie Nunno-Gorbachev is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fibonix Incorporated. Sophie recieved her doctorate in Textile Technology Management at NC State University in 2023 through research under The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), the largest industry-funded academic organization in the country and the world’s first accredited academic program for the interdisciplinary field of engineered fabrics. Sophie was advised by Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, the director of The Nonwovens Institute and William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor of Textile Materials.
During her Ph.D. research she was engaged in a cooperative project with HanesBrands Inc. to develop methodology and knowledge around a novel technology for selective modification of fabric properties. Sophie also used well-founded statistical theories learned through her Ph.D-level minor in statistics to derive distinct relationships between variables and thus deepen the body of knowledge around this topic. In addition, Sophie was also able to take part in several other nonwoven-related projects in the fields of filtration, medical textiles, and personal care. This research was supported by knowledge gained through the Nonwovens Science and Technology Graduate Certification, an NWI program aimed to give advanced industry-supported expertise spanning the breadth of the nonwoven value-chain.
During her time in The Nonwovens Institute, Sophie was able to see industry and academia cooperate to solve mission-critical problems through the creation of innovative science-driven and market-ready technology. Sophie wants to bring this collaborative mindset and workflow to the adjacent textile and apparel industry with Fibonix through the precise use of science-based tools, inventive design, and crystal-clear analytics.
Shilpa Barua
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY INTERN
Shilpa Barua is currently pursuing her MS Textile Technology from Thomas Jefferson University. She has completed her Bachelor of Design (Textile Design) from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, India and is passionate about integrating technology and design to revolutionize the textile industry. Shilpa believes that by focusing on sustainable practices and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, we can create a brighter, more equitable future. With a relentless drive to make a positive impact, she is dedicated to shaping the textile industry in a more ethical and environmentally conscious direction. During her academic learning process, she had experiences that made her aware of the craft clusters and the importance of reviving them to make a meaningful contribution to the Textile industry. She has learned research methodologies through Biomaterials Technology to contribute systematically to Textiles. She has learned the minute details of textiles through Textile testing as she has always believed that deconstructing a problem leads us to many answers and possibilities. Beyond her academic pursuits, Shilpa finds joy in cooking and singing, and recently, she has discovered a sweet affection for the ukulele. Yet, amidst her diverse passions, Shilpa's heart truly sings when she's surrounded by her loved ones.