Electrochemical Researcher

• Apr 2022 - Present

Senior Technical Specialist

• May 2019 - Jul 2021

Conduct research to answer technical questions from various client organizations Conduct research to answer technical questions from various client organizations

Scientist 2

• Jun 2014 - Aug 2017

I study polymer aging in support of applications in weapons, material storage, and facilities. There are many different kinds of materials in use throughout the Nation's weapons complex, and we help answer questions that arise over their use and application.• Co-PI on LDRD 20170006DR. Managed and conducted materials development activities for our micro-scale two-photon polymerization system, the Nanoscribe Photonic Professional GT. Activities included characterization of the precision and accuracy of the Nanoscribe, characterization of dielectric properties of materials in the range of 30-60 THz, and investigation of filler particles’ effects on resin polymerization. • Developed the additive manufacturing (AM) laboratory in MST-7. Evaluated and purchased equipment. Oversaw testing, calibration, and maintenance of AM equipment. Conducted material feedstock development. Consulted on application of AM techniques to emerging engineering problems.• Served as a materials applications liaison with weapons production groups.• Continued investigations of the long-term stability of FKM O-rings. Conducted analyses for the long-term surveillance programs of the SAVY-4000 and Hagan nuclear material storage containers. Evaluated alternative polymers for other applications within the storage and handling infrastructure at Los Alamos. Show less

Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Jun 2011 - Jun 2014

I conducted research in polymer aging, studying the effects of high temperature, high radiation and acidic environments on the long-term performance of fluoropolymer o-rings in service in nuclear material storage containers.I was also involved in a project investigating non-hydrolytic sol-gel syntheses of glass heavily doped with cerium and lanthanum bromide and the application of such materials to radiation detection.My group, MST-7, is building capabilities in additive manufacturing to support the mission of the Laboratory. Though our laboratory is small, consisting of an Objet Eden 260v, a MakerBot Replicator 2X, and a zCorp zPrinter 310+, we are hard at work demonstrating how additive manufacturing in polymers can be used to solve problems across many disciplines of science and engineering. Show less

Postdoctoral Fellow

• Jan 2010 - May 2011

• Investigated the interaction of pertechnetate ion with sulfide in the presence of low-molecular-weight enoic acids and their mercapto- derivatives.• Synthesized a novel disulfide-containing ligand, and tested its ability to bind with 99Tc on the preparatory scale, and with 99mTc tracer in a radiopharmaceutical labeling study .• Synthesized two new rhenium-Schiff-base complexes. • Characterized complexes by XRD, FT-IR, NMR (1H, 31P, 13C, 99Tc, and COSY), solubility measurements, mass spectroscopy, paper electrophoresis, and liquid scintillation counting.• Supervised undergraduate students' research. Show less

Teaching Assistant

• Aug 2003 - Dec 2009

As a teaching assistant, I taught a number of laboratory courses, including Introductory, General, Honors Accelerated Chemistry, and Radiochemistry, and filled in as lecturer as needed. I also worked in a leadership position as TA, which included training new TAs, organizing classroom activities for the other TAs, and leading weekly meetings of the teaching staff.

Research Assistant

• Jan 2005 - Dec 2005

* Studied complexation chemistry of UO22+, U3+, Ce3+ and Eu3+. * Synthesized several dithiolene ligands, metal halide starting materials and metal complexes. Used glovebox or Schlenk techniques to prevent exposure to air.* Characterized compounds with extensive range of techniques. Used Gaussian 03 to determine electronic orbital energies of the ligands and the Pearson hardness parameter. Used ShelX and XSeed to solve crystal structures.* Overhauled several vacuum pumps (disassembled, cleaned, replaced parts and reassembled), and overhauled the catalyst regeneration bed and gas manifold on the glovebox. * Served as the group's radiation safety officer. * Assisted fellow graduate students with experiment design. Show less

Visiting Scientist

• Oct 2010 - Oct 2010

• Performed photolysis reactions of several polyoxometalates with ammonium pertechnetate and isopropanol. • Characterized the products with paper chromatography, 183W NMR and LSC. • Synthesized K8[γ-SiW10O36] and [NEt4][W2S12] starting materials. • Performed photolysis reactions of several polyoxometalates with ammonium pertechnetate and isopropanol. • Characterized the products with paper chromatography, 183W NMR and LSC. • Synthesized K8[γ-SiW10O36] and [NEt4][W2S12] starting materials.

Associate Reactor Director

• Jul 2001 - Jun 2003

* Managed up to 30 reactor operators. Planned reactor operations and tours. Oversaw facility checklists. * Performed XRF and NAA experiments for researchers at local colleges and universities. * Surface barrier alpha spectroscopy for a uranium corrosion study assistance * Implementation of the k0 method of NAA. * Assisted with a neutron tomography experiment controlled by LABView. * Gave laboratory instruction in NAA, half-life determination, radiation, and thermoluminescence for groups ranging from Cub Scouts to students from local colleges. * Led effort to re-write the operator training manual. * Maintained the radioactive materials inventory, oversaw calibration of radiation monitoring/survey equipment. * Oversaw maintenance and replacement of console instrumentation. * Overhauled the reactor's security program following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and planned emergency drills. Show less

Reactor Operator

• Sep 1998 - May 2001

* Operated the reactor for irradiations and tours. * Assisted with maintenance and daily activities. Regularly used various radiation detectors and GammaVision. * Supervised the operator training program. Rewrote several training lectures. * Operated the reactor for irradiations and tours. * Assisted with maintenance and daily activities. Regularly used various radiation detectors and GammaVision. * Supervised the operator training program. Rewrote several training lectures.

Research Experience for Undergraduate Participant

• Jun 2000 - Aug 2000

Developed a method for doping HEPA filter sections in a controlled manner with metal ions of interest. * Characterized products by FT-IR, light microscopy and leaching tests. Developed a method for doping HEPA filter sections in a controlled manner with metal ions of interest. * Characterized products by FT-IR, light microscopy and leaching tests.