2012 Alumni Fellow, Rebecca Pirkl Hurd is a Senior Material Researcher in Apparel Innovation for Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. In this role, Becky’s mission is to develop innovative materials and apparel product solutions to maximize athletic performance. Over 25 years at Nike, her successes include the Nike Sphere concept. Today Nike Sphere is part of the Nike FIT (Functional Innovative Technology) performance apparel platform and is heralded within Nike as the “best example of how Nike apparel should bring innovation platforms to our consumers.” Becky received a Nike Apparel MAXIM award in both 2002 and 2005 for her work on Nike Sphere, The technology was also recognized by the industry at the ISPO Trade Fair on its list of Top Innovations of 2005 and by Time Magazine on its list of Best Inventions of 2006.

Her current work involves driving Nike towards more sustainable textile production methods by implementing technologies that provide the opportunity to reduce water and energy use in the dyeing of textiles. She is an active member of the NW chapter of The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists and has been trained as an Oregon State University Master Gardener.