Experience

The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chemistry Tutor

  • Aug 2023 - Present



Western Kentucky University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student Researcher

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  Chemistry research with Dr. Yan involving transition metal based 3d networks resulting in efficient photo catalysts for the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of porous crystalline materials that feature a large surface area and porosity. They also include metallic nodes and can be modified after synthesis. In recent years, MOFs have been identified as excellent photocatalysts due to their many unique properties. It has been reported that iron-based MOFs can catalyze the reduction of carbon dioxide to formate. However, these materials' photocatalytic CO2 reduction activities are usually low in efficiency. To enhance the photocatalytic properties of the frameworks, we introduced open metal sites and porous features in the structures. - Presentation at KAS (Kentucky Academy of Science)- Presentation at ACS (American Chemical Society) Annual National Meeting- Named LRSEF (Louisville Regional Science and Engineering Fair) best of Chemistry- Presentation at WKU Annual ARTP (Applied Research & Technology Program) Event Show less

• Student Researcher

  • Jan 2022 - May 2023

  Chemistry Research with Dr. Conte involving titrations, 3d printing, and the design process.Building a Spectrometer for Photometric TitrationsEDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) titrations of metal ions are commonly used to synthesize compounds for commercial applications. Calmagite is a common indicator chosen for these titrations. Color perception can differ drastically from person to person resulting in a large standard deviation in endpoint volumes. Building a simple, inexpensive spectrometer can reduce the degree of uncertainty when undergoing this titration. The light source, sample cell, and detector are held in a 3d printed model, and an Arduino program controls the mechanical syringe pump that holds the titrant. Calibration curves have been performed to ensure accuracy of the spectrometer.- Presentation at Professor Chemistry Seminar held semi-annually at WKU- Presentation at annual WKU Research Showcase Show less

• Chemistry Lab TA

  • Aug 2022 - Dec 2022

  Chem 223(2nd semester of general chemistry)



Brown University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Student Researcher

  • Jun 2022 - Aug 2022

  Synthetic polymer research under Dr. McDonald. Creating hydrogel polyelectrolyte complexes utilizing adhesive cation-π intermolecular forces. Electrostatic intermolecular forces are commonly used to create underwater adhesives; however, electrostatic interactions are diminished under high salt concentrations due to the Debye screening effect. Hydrogels, water-insoluble gels made of polymer chain networks, have been used in recent years because of their ability to maintain their adhesive and cohesive forces under ion rich environments. The McDonald research group uses biological adhesives as inspiration to create hydrogel polyelectrolyte complexes utilizing adhesive cation-π intermolecular forces. These noncovalent interactions between the electron rich π regions above and below an aromatic system and cation are resistant to dissociation in salt concentrated solutions due the screening of repulsive ion-ion interactions which cause attractive forces to trump. Show less



SEA-PHAGES Program

• Student Researcher

  • Aug 2021 - May 2022

  Discovered and analyzed a bacteriophage currently archived at WKU and DMSO-Pittsburg. The discovered bacteriophage is published in the Actinobacteriophage Database. Genome annotation of phage Bench is published in NCBI (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/ON456345.1). SEA-PHAGES was started by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Discovered and analyzed a bacteriophage currently archived at WKU and DMSO-Pittsburg. The discovered bacteriophage is published in the Actinobacteriophage Database. Genome annotation of phage Bench is published in NCBI (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/ON456345.1). SEA-PHAGES was started by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.