URIs_MOMENTUM_Research_and_Innovation_Magazine_Spring_2026_M

“More failures mean more learning and ultimately a strong foundation,” he says. “If you’re going to be in the business of building businesses, you will be constantly building your foundation.” McCarthy built ATRP Solutions and invented polymers to improve personal care and cosmetics products, home care products, and oil and gas additives. After a decade he sold ATRP Solutions to Pilot Chemical Co. and became its vice president of technology and innovation. Later, he took a similar role at Corning Inc., an S&P 500 company with a relentless focus on innovation, that asked McCarthy to spearhead its program to build early stage businesses. McCarthy found the company, like the environment in Yang’s lab where being unsure of the next step was embraced. “If you’re at all uncomfortable with ambiguity you will really struggle with early-stage business building,” he says. “The URI research environment really made you feel like ambiguity was OK and to be comfortable with it. Don’t force the solution but allow the creative process to reveal the solution.” In 2024, as artificial intelligence started to muddy the scientific waters, he branched out again and started his second company, McCarthy X Enterprises, with a focus on incubating startups, consulting, and weaving AI into today’s businesses. Today, McCarthy is substantively giving back to URI with his time and expertise, helping URI researchers find pathways to commercializing their intellectual property. “Dr. McCarthy has been so generous with his time and expertise and has stepped up to be an incredible mentor to URI researchers and leaders to help us holistically support our community members who seek commercialization outcomes of their URI research. We are so appreciative of his engagement, “ says URI’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development Bethany Jenkins.

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