Mallika Bohm

Visionary and commercially astute R&D executive with a PhD and 30+ years' global experience in leading innovation in paints, coatings, composites, and advanced nano materials. Proven record of building technical strategies, leading multidisciplinary teams, creating innovation portfolios, securing funding, developing IP and translating complex science into scalable revenue-generating products through R&D governance, scale-up, customer engagement and cross-functional delivery. Currently working as a Chief Scientist in China, leading advanced water-based coatings for automotive composites and marine anticorrosion applications, including low-temperature curing, wet-on-wet systems and graphene-enhanced technologies.

Recognised for combining strategic leadership, customer focus and cross-functional influence to deliver revenue growth, operational improvement and differentiated technology platforms.

Chief Scientist, Coatings at Xian Xinsanli Composite Materials Technology Co. Ltd (2025-01 – 2026-09)

Leading strategic R&D for advanced water-based coating solutions across automotive composite, marine anticorrosion and high-performance industrial applications.

• Own the product development strategy and innovation pipeline for water-based coatings on SMC, ABS, PC and PP composite substrates (NEV Applications).
• Lead technical team for developing low-temperature curing and wet-on-wet systems aligned to demanding automotive manufacturing requirements.
• Spearheaded graphene-enhanced EPD coating and anticorrosion primers for steel and magnesium alloys.
• Submitted 10 patent applications in coatings and graphene applications and designed a pilot line to accelerate scale-up and technology transfer.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing teams to scaling up, support customers and translate technical benefits into commercial value.

Founding Director, CEO & Project Manager at CAMI Consultancy Ltd (2019-01 – 2024-12)

Founded and led a materials technology consultancy bridging advanced research, industrial application and commercial product development.

• Defined technical strategy, formulation platforms and innovation roadmaps for advanced coatings and materials programmes.
• Delivered acid-resistant automotive coatings, anti-sticking coating for robotic production, wear-resistant cutting-wheel coatings and graphene-enhanced zinc epoxy systems.
• Achieved client outcomes including 60% higher process efficiency and 50% extended diamond cutting blade service life.
• Managed project teams, government-grant interfaces and collaborations with Tata (India & Thailand), Bogala Graphite (Sri Lanka), Versarien (UK), Hella & Hidria (Slovenia).
• UK, Europe, HK granted patent for a novel graphene production method.

Technical Director at Talga Technologies (2017-05 – 2018-12)

Executive team member responsible for technical strategy, R&D capability build-out and graphene-based advanced materials development.

• Built and owned the R&D roadmap for multifunctional graphene additives across coatings, composites and energy-related applications.
• Designed and established a 500 sqm R&D laboratory and recruited the technical team from inception.
• Secured £1M+ UKRI Faraday Battery Challenge funding through three successful multi-partner proposals.
• Invented 10 products and process technologies contributing to the company's IP portfolio.

Principal Scientist, Senior Manager & Technical Consultant at Tata Steel (2002-01 – 2017-12)

Progressed through senior technical, commercialisation and leadership roles across coated products, corrosion science and surface engineering.

• Generated $180M annual revenue in India by creating new coated wire product portfolios, improving processes and securing a major supply contract with a Japanese manufacturer.
• Reduced surface-defect customer complaints by 70% through technical problem-solving, quality improvement and manufacturing collaboration.
• Led teams of up to 15 scientists and managed innovation strategy, P&L and technology roadmaps for advanced coated steel products.
• Represented Tata Steel on ISO and BSI standards committees, developing expert-level knowledge of European compliance for coated and anticorrosion products.
• Led multi-million-pound EU collaboration projects with universities and research institutions, including corrosion degradation databases for asset-integrity management.

Product Scientist (Hair Care) at Unilever Research (2000-01 – 2002-12)

Teaching Assistant at University College London (1998-01 – 2000-12)

Research Fellow at University Bath (1995-01 – 1996-12)

Lecturer (Physical Chemistry) at University of Ruhuna (1990-01 – 1995-12)

PhD in Condensed Matter Physics – University College London

MSc in Chemistry — Formulations & Interface Science – University of Bristol

BSc in Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics – University of Kelaniya

Diploma in Corrosion Engineering – University of Manchester