Lexi Rich Headshot

Lexi Rich

Senior Lecturer, Packaging and Graphic Media Science

Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science
College of Engineering Technology
alripk@rit.edu
585-475-5005
Office Location
SLA-2420

Lexi Rich

Senior Lecturer, Packaging and Graphic Media Science

Department of Packaging and Graphic Media Science
College of Engineering Technology

Education

MS, Rochester Institute of Technology

Bio

Lexi Rich began her journey at RIT as an undergraduate in the Packaging Science program and went on to earn her M.E. in Sustainable Engineering from the Kate Gleason College of Engineering. During her studies, she worked as a research assistant in the Packaging Dynamics Lab, building a strong foundation in packaging performance and sustainability.

Today, Lexi serves as both a Senior Lecturer and the manager of the Packaging Dynamics Lab and Packaging Materials Lab, where she continues her research and works closely with industry partners. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, oversees a team of student employees, and collaborates with hundreds of companies through lab testing.

In addition to her teaching and lab leadership, Lexi is pursuing a PhD in the GIS Sustainable Systems program. Through her work, she is dedicated to preparing the next generation of packaging professionals to design more sustainable and effective packaging systems.

alripk@rit.edu
585-475-5005
Personal Links
LinkedIn

Select Scholarship

Although unable to publicly publish much of her work; the Packaging Dynamics Lab conducts third-party package and product testing year-round. Her understanding of packaging systems has helped shape distribution packaging for hundreds of products. Materials and cost savings are the general focus of these studies, as well as validation for the FDA and other regulatory entities.

Currently Teaching

PACK-101
Introduction to Packaging
1 Credit
An in-depth overview of packaging. The course will include historical perspectives of packaging. Students will explore the functions of packaging and the materials, processes, and technology employed to protect goods during handling, shipment, and storage. A brief review of container types, package design and development, and research and testing are presented, along with information about economic importance, social implications, and packaging as a profession. Students will research historical, current, and future packages to gain better insight into the world of packaging.
PACK-212
Packaging Paper & Glass
3 Credits
The manufacture, physical and chemical properties, and uses of common packaging materials. Emphasis is on paper, paperboard, wood, glass, and pressurized packaging systems used in packaging applications. Standard testing procedures will be presented as well as instruction on testing equipment operation, data interpretation, evaluation of properties, and performance.
PACK-421
Packaging for Distribution
3 Credits
An exploration of different shipping, storage, and use environments common to various products and packages. Structural design of shipping containers for product physical protection and methods for testing and predicting package performance are studied. Package converting processes will be studied to reinforce the economics of efficient and sustainable package design.
PACK-530
Packaging Sustainability and the Environment
3 Credits
Consideration of packaging in a social context. Factors that enhance secondary use, recycling, recovery of resources, and proper disposal are discussed. Package design in relation to solid waste disposal and materials and energy shortages are considered. Other topics of interest are discussed. Primarily a discussion class for senior students. Open to undergraduate non-majors.
PACK-730
Packaging and the Environment
3 Credits
Consideration of packaging in a social context. Factors that enhance secondary use, recycling, recovery of resources, and proper disposal are discussed. Package design in relation to solid waste disposal and materials and energy shortages are considered. Other topics of interest are discussed. Primarily a discussion class for graduate students. Open to graduate non-majors.
PACK-797
Graduate Project
1-3 Credits
The purpose of this course is to provide students the opportunity to conduct research, develop a plan and evaluation components and submit the project as a demonstration of final proficiency in the program. The topic selected by the student will be guided by the faculty teaching the class and it will require the student to coalesce and incorporate into the final project a culmination of all their course work in the program to date.