Andrew Messecar

Graduate Student Research Assistant at College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States, US
Languages
  • English Native or bilingual proficiency
  • Khoekhoegowab Limited working proficiency

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Credentials

  • Graduate College Responsible Conduct of Research.
    CITI Program, A Division of BRANY
    Feb, 2021
    - Nov, 2024
  • Physical Science Responsible Conduct of Research
    CITI Program, A Division of BRANY
    Apr, 2020
    - Nov, 2024
  • NFHS Learning Center: Concussion in Sports
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Oct, 2020
    - Nov, 2024

Experience

  • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University
    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Graduate Student Research Assistant
      • Jul 2021 - Present

      • Acquires scanning electron micrographs and Raman spectra at the Michigan Center for Materials Characterization.• Designed (using ExpressPCB) and printed a solenoid valve controller printed circuit board.• Installed a Pfeiffer HiPace 80 Turbo Pump on the intro hatch of a Perkin-Elmer 430 molecular beam epitaxy system.• Routinely outgasses substrates mounted to blocks for use in molecular beam epitaxy crystal growths.

    • Crystal Growth Engineer
      • May 2021 - Jun 2021

      • Taught the basics of artificial neurons and neural networks to students at the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center.• Co-facilitated a summer camp on the topic of using Scratch to code, control GPIO devices, and more to students at Kalamazoo Country Day School.• Learned to prepare substrates for thin film crystal growths using trichloroethylene, acetone, and methanol.

    • Graduate Student Research Assistant
      • Aug 2020 - Apr 2021

      • Improved the efficacy of the molecular beam epitaxy laboratory's water-cooling system by reconfiguring the water lines to utilize a NESLAB HX 500 Recirculating Chiller.• Expanded the laboratory's cryogenic vacuum pumping system to support three cryopumps across a pair of Perkin-Elmer 430 molecular beam epitaxy systems.• Learned to maintain ultra-high vacuum systems using a bake-out process.

    • Student Research Assistant
      • May 2020 - Aug 2020

      • Generated and analyzed histograms of pixel intensity from scanning electron micrographs using a Python script with another graduate student.• Reviewed and revised a manuscript with the research team which would be published in September 2020.• Conducted a literature review and independently studied the topics of Bragg-Williams order-disorder parameters, disorder within a crystal lattice, and x-ray diffraction.

  • Penn State University
    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Resident Visiting Scholar
      • May 2023 - Aug 2023

      • Developed a process for conducting machine learning on materials research data stored within the LiST database. • Grew thin film samples of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) - using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). • Characterized thin film samples using photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). • Developed a process for conducting machine learning on materials research data stored within the LiST database. • Grew thin film samples of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) - using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). • Characterized thin film samples using photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

  • Peace Corps
    • United States
    • International Affairs
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Peace Corps Volunteer
      • Aug 2018 - Mar 2020

      • Taught math, physical science, computer studies, and more to grade 7 through 9 learners at W.J.D. Cloete Combined School in Rietoog, Hardap Region, Namibia. • Improved learner performance in grade 8 and 9 math and physical science as measured by the end-of-year grades sheets by implementing an after-school tutoring program in the 2019 school year. The success of this program led to teacher-supervised studying hours at the school's hostel in 2019 and a school-wide after school study program in 2020. • Co-facilitated both Khoekhoegowab and English language literacy programs organized by the Rehoboth Teacher Resources Centre's Directorate of Education, Arts and Culture. This allowed the literacy program to continue operating into the early months of 2020 with upticks in attendance. • Collaborated with school staff and the Ministry of Health and Social Services to implement an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign on campus in November of 2019. • Marketed the wares produced by the Rietoog Community Empowerment Project to nearby tourism agencies. Acquired raw materials for the women of the project to use for their work. Helped develop the future of the project's programming. • Co-coached after school athletics and co-facilitated special events around the school's campus. • Served the volunteer community as a Language Leader, developing resources to help volunteers learn to speak, read, and write in Khoekhoegowab more effectively while also working with volunteers one-on-one to practice speaking in Khoekhoegowab. • Participated in the Peace Corps' Speaker Match program by discussing Peace Corps and Peace Corps service in Namibia with Dr. Marcela Mendoza's Global & International Studies [GIST 2000] class at Western Michigan University. The presentation was given to an audience of 38 at Sangren Hall on Thursday, 20 January 2022. Show less

  • Western Michigan University
    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Student Office Assistant
      • Jan 2018 - Aug 2018

      • Completed a digital catalog of the texts and other resources available in The Evaluation Center's library using Microsoft Access.• Compiled and processed survey data for research projects being conducted by The Evaluation Center's students and faculty members using both webforms and Microsoft Excel.• Routinely composed grant expense forms and managed department email accounts for The Evaluation Center.• Prepared for and cleaned up after regularly scheduled department colloquia. Show less

    • Student Laboratory Assistant
      • Sep 2016 - Aug 2018

      • Worked with a team to assemble, arrange, test, and document a delivery of equipment (amplifiers, thermometers, refrigerators, and more) to Dr. Clement Burns' experimental condensed matter physics laboratory.• Collaborated with the department machinist to design, assemble, and test a device used to take Hall voltage measurements in conjunction with the laboratory's superconducting magnet.• Designed (using ExpressPCB), assembled, and tested a pair of x-ray detectors to be used at various x-ray diffractometers around campus.• Collaborated with physics students from Kalamazoo College to compose and present a poster at the 2018 West Michigan Nanoscience and Quantum Technology Conference at Grand Valley State University.• Worked for course credit and also volunteered time to the laboratory from December 2016 through August 2018 Show less

  • Denso Manufacturing Michigan, Inc.
    • United States
    • Hospitals and Health Care
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Intern
      • May 2016 - Dec 2016

      • Supported maintenance department operations during a transitional period by assuming the responsibilities of the department administrative assistant, processing department expense data, e-mails, and maintenance worker pain reports on a regular basis. • Regularly corresponded with management in various branches of the maintenance department - including Machine Rebuild, Molding, Condenser, and HVAC - to ensure that department tasks were being completed. • Completed Lockout Tagout safety training. • Helped to organize and maintain the maintenance work area. Show less

  • Spherion
    • United States
    • Staffing and Recruiting
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • General Assistant
      • May 2014 - Jan 2016

      • Repainted the office building's interior and exterior. • Cleaned and prepared rubber overshoes to be used by production employees. • Optimized the office's storage space by rearranging the shelving as well as the various storage containers. • Oversaw the grounds keeping at the office during the warm months. • Repainted the office building's interior and exterior. • Cleaned and prepared rubber overshoes to be used by production employees. • Optimized the office's storage space by rearranging the shelving as well as the various storage containers. • Oversaw the grounds keeping at the office during the warm months.

  • SOMETHING BETTER NATURAL FOODS
    • United States
    • Production Associate
      • Apr 2011 - May 2014

      • Transferred wholesale food items (including organic foods) to retail-sized containers in a sanitary, FDA-compliant manner, often times responding to sudden, urgent requests from management. • Assembled wholesale orders to be shipped via freight from the warehouse. • Regularly assisted with the process of cataloguing the store's inventory. • Transferred wholesale food items (including organic foods) to retail-sized containers in a sanitary, FDA-compliant manner, often times responding to sudden, urgent requests from management. • Assembled wholesale orders to be shipped via freight from the warehouse. • Regularly assisted with the process of cataloguing the store's inventory.

  • Battle Creek Academy
    • United States
    • Primary and Secondary Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Maintenance Assistant
      • Jun 2010 - May 2011

      • Co-facilitated a campus-wide school grounds clean-up effort in August of 2010. • Upgraded campus lighting fixtures to help meet energy efficiency and budget targets. • Assisted with the re-wiring of the school's ethernet and intercom systems. • Oversaw the grounds keeping of the school buildings as well as the on-campus housing facilities. • Responded to various routine maintenance requests around campus. • Co-facilitated a campus-wide school grounds clean-up effort in August of 2010. • Upgraded campus lighting fixtures to help meet energy efficiency and budget targets. • Assisted with the re-wiring of the school's ethernet and intercom systems. • Oversaw the grounds keeping of the school buildings as well as the on-campus housing facilities. • Responded to various routine maintenance requests around campus.

Education

  • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University
    Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Engineering & Applied Sciences
    2020 - 2027
  • Western Michigan University
    Bachelor of Science - BS, Physics
    2013 - 2018
  • Kellogg Community College
    General Studies, 3.755
    2011 - 2013
  • Battle Creek Academy
    High School Diploma, Highest Honors
    1997 - 2011

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