‘We stand on the shoulders of giants’ at Phillips 66 Research Center

How does 1 + 1 = 100 at the Phillips 66 Research Center in Bartlesville, Okla.?  

The Energy Research & Innovation organization recently honored two scientists, Jane Yao and Keith Lawson, for achieving patent milestones. Between the two of them, they have 100 patents. Yao has 75 patents to her name, while Lawson has 25. 

“I have been fortunate to interact with many talented scientists, engineers and technicians,” Yao said. “It enriches our creative thinking, and that inspires new ideas. That’s an important part of new patent discoveries.” 

Yao credits supportive management for enabling a culture of innovation and encouraging employees to think outside the box. She also appreciates the important role of the company’s patent lawyers, who file the applications and work with the U.S. Patent Office to finalize them. 

The company’s rich heritage in research and development inspires those who advance cutting-edge science at the Research Center today, said Lawson. 

“We stand on the shoulder of giants,” he said. “We’re just trying to carry on what the people before us have done.”