Name: How Gecko Feet Inspired a PhD Student to Transform Manufacturing
Uploaded: 2026-06-30T05:33:30.000Z
Description: “The day after my PhD defense, I started geCKo Materials,” said Capella Kerst, a former Stanford researcher and founder and CEO of geCKo Materials.

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“The day after my PhD defense, I started geCKo Materials,” said Capella Kerst, a former Stanford researcher and founder and CEO of geCKo Materials.

Inspired by her academic work, the company developed a reusable adhesive capable of supporting 15 pounds, now used across several industries.

“We’re on the International Space Station,” Kerst shared in the interview. “Actually, later today, one of our customers is launching into space with geCKo Materials on their robot.”

Kerst believes the adhesive’s durability and reusability have earned recognition for its sustainability benefits and drew attention when she started fundraising.

“I took the bottle of wine with geCKo Materials, and I held it up at a VC party,” she said. “A lot of people were like, ‘Can I wire you money today?’”

In today’s episode, Kerst discusses her transition from research to business and her thoughts on creating products that address real-world challenges.

“If you’re passionate … go for it,” she said.

<em>Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views of  NTD.</em>

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