Research

Packaging Science & Supply Chain Optimization

My research bridges packaging materials science and supply-chain performance, understanding how packaging components interact within the distribution system to improve performance, reduce waste, and advance sustainability.

Cold Chain Packaging
Active

Cold Chain Packaging

Developing and validating packaging for temperature-sensitive products — pharmaceuticals, fresh food, and biologics — using thermal modeling, insulation testing, and field data collection to ASTM and ISTA standards.

Thermal modeling Insulation performance Phase change materials +1 more
Unit Load Optimization
Active

Unit Load Optimization

Modeling the mechanical interactions between pallets, packaging, and products during racked storage and transport, including friction-driven finite element and Gaussian process surrogate models.

Load bridging Finite element modeling Pallets +1 more
Corrugated Fiberboard Performance
Active

Corrugated Fiberboard Performance

Operating the only IKEA-certified corrugated fiberboard testing laboratory in North America for performance evaluation and certification of board for manufacturers and end users.

Edge crush test Box compression Certification
E-commerce & Last-Mile Delivery
Active

E-commerce & Last-Mile Delivery

Studying packaging challenges in direct-to-consumer fulfillment, including consumer packaging expectations across fulfillment channels, direct-from-store operations, and operational efficiency in last-mile grocery delivery.

E-commerce packaging Consumer perception Direct-from-store fulfillment +1 more
Sustainable Packaging Systems
Active

Sustainable Packaging Systems

Optimizing packaging design across the supply chain for manufacturing productivity, distribution efficiency, and reduced environmental impact.

Sustainability Supply chain Distribution efficiency

Labs & Services

Research, consulting, and contract-testing services for industry partners. Our facilities support packaging development from material selection through distribution performance.

Cold Chain Packaging Laboratory

Research, consulting, and contract testing for temperature-sensitive shipments. Heat-flow meters, DSC, and thermal modeling; insulated container prototyping; field data for shock, vibration, temperature, and humidity. Standards include ASTM D3103-20, ASTM D4332, ISTA 7D, and ISTA 7E.

Corrugated Fiberboard Lab

The only IKEA-certified corrugated board testing laboratory in North America. Edge crush (ECT), burst, and flat crush testing; moisture analysis; board composition and flute profiling; certification and custom performance testing for manufacturers, converters, and end users.

Contract Testing & Consulting

Partner with us to develop, validate, and optimize packaging solutions — from material selection to full distribution performance.

Selected Publications
Eduardo Molina (2026). Packaging as a Last-Mile Logistics Decision: Consumer Expectations Across E-Commerce Fulfillment Channels. Logistics.
DOI PDF
Saewhan Kim, Laszlo Horvath, Eduardo Molina, Benjamin Frank, Steven Johnson, Alonda Johnson (2023). Predicting the effect of pallet overhang on the box compression strength. PTS.
DOI
Eduardo Molina, Laszlo Horvath (2021). Development of a Gaussian Process Model as a Surrogate to Study Load Bridging Performance in Racked Pallets. Applied Sciences.
DOI
See all publications

In the News

Featured Coverage

Selected media features and interviews on our packaging research at Virginia Tech.

Packages undergo temperature and compression testing

Virginia Tech News · October 2025 View coverage

Investigating the hazards of grocery delivery

Virginia Tech News · October 2022 View coverage

Also in the News

Mentions

Articles and stories where our work or team members are featured.

Interested in working together?

I’m always looking for motivated graduate and undergraduate researchers in packaging science, supply-chain optimization, and sustainable materials. Industry partners interested in testing or consulting are welcome to reach out.
Get in touch
Eduardo Molina, Ph.D. 📦

Eduardo Molina, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor & Associate Director

Virginia Tech

Department of Sustainable Biomaterials

Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design

Professional Summary

Packaging science researcher at Virginia Tech focused on cold chain packaging, transport packaging optimization, corrugated fiberboard performance, e-commerce last-mile packaging, and sustainable packaging systems.
View full CV

Education

Ph.D. in Forestry & Forest Products (Packaging)

2017 – 2020

Virginia Tech

M.S. in Forestry & Forest Products (Packaging)

2015 – 2017

Virginia Tech

B.S. in Industrial Engineering

2007 – 2012

Costa Rica Institute of Technology

Interests

Cold Chain Packaging Packaging Supply Chain Optimization Unit Load Performance & Design Corrugated Fiberboard Testing E-commerce Packaging Systems Sustainable Packaging Design Transportation Packaging Research
Contact

Dr. Eduardo Molina
Assistant Professor, Packaging Systems and Design
Associate Director, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design

Email: eduardo@molinapackaging.com
Phone: (540) 855-7224

Office:
Department of Sustainable Biomaterials
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061

For prospective students: please include your CV, transcripts, and a brief statement of research interests when reaching out.