Summer Intern Spotlight: Lindsey Hessler Bridges Business and Physics at Tennessee Startup
Management & Entrepreneurship - Student
Lindsey Hessler is a senior from Germantown, Wisconsin, double majoring in management at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business and physics through UT’s College of Arts and Sciences. As part of the Spark Scholars program supported by the UT Center for Materials Processing, Hessler currently works as a tech to market summer intern at SkyNano, a growing startup in Louisville, Tennessee, focused on creating a U.S. supply of advanced materials like carbon nanotubes using a patented process that turns CO2 from industrial emissions into raw material.
In her role, Hessler connects the technical team with marketing and business development, creating marketing content, shaping packaging strategy, conducting market research and supporting commercialization. The position leverages Hessler’s scientific expertise while expanding her experience in business development.
According to Sharon Dwyer, SkyNano’s chief of staff, this mix of expertise is just what the organization needed.
“As a physics and business management double major with a minor in entrepreneurship, Hessler’s contributions consistently exceed our expectations,” says Dwyer. “She connects technical concepts with real-world market strategy in public relations, marketing and business development and demonstrates strong initiative and versatility, jumping in to provide an extra set of hands to our engineering and research teams as opportunities arise.”
A Perfect Fit
Hessler thrives in SkyNano’s fast-paced startup environment, collaborating with research and development scientists and supporting the engineering team with equipment assembly. The role’s flexibility lets her apply creativity and technical expertise, gaining valuable experience in innovation and strategic projects.
“I have always been a high-energy and curious individual, especially when it comes to innovation and creativity,” Hessler says. “I became increasingly drawn to startups during entrepreneurship classes highlighting the spontaneity and hard work involved in new ventures.”
According to the Breanna Hale, executive director of Haslam’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Hessler’s experience at SkyNano is part of a broader effort by the center to place students with high-growth startups, giving them firsthand exposure to the world of early-stage ventures.
“The Anderson Center is proud to create opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience inside early-stage startups, where they are viewed as active contributors, not just interns” says Hale. “It’s a chance for students to work with founders, wear multiple hats and see what it takes to build something from the ground up, gaining skills, confidence and inspiration to launch their own ventures.”
Prepared for Various Roles
Jake Livesay, Anderson Center startup coach and adjunct faculty in management and entrepreneurship, instructed Hessler in a managerial analytics course and praises the senior’s intellect and ambition.
“Her technical education gave her clear insight into the techniques being used in the course and her business education prepared her to understand the purpose, making her a top performer in my class” Livesay says. “I’m thrilled she is working with SkyNano. I’m confident her combination of skills will be a great benefit to whatever team she joins after graduation.”
Hessler’s academic excellence and impact beyond the classroom have earned recognition from faculty and leadership, including Tim Munyon, head of Haslam’s Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, Ergen Professor in Business and Janet and Jeff Davis Faculty Fellow. “Her experience shows the value of interdisciplinary education and ventures like SkyNano,” says Munyon.
Dien Nguyen, assistant professor in Arts and Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy, praised Hessler’s unique strengths, noting her ability to balance complex lab projects with a strategic mindset shaped by her business background. During a research fellowship at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, she even served as a shift leader—an unusual role for an undergraduate.
“Among the many students I’ve worked with, Lindsey stands out as one of the very best,” Nguyen says.
Through her SkyNano internship, Hessler has strengthened her independence, adaptability and confidence. As the summer ends, she looks forward to continuing to grow her expertise and contribute to the company’s innovative mission.