Co-Founder

• Jun 2022 - Present

GRInSTEM Fellow, Research Associate

• Aug 2022 - Present

• Leading the UCalgary spin-off, CarboMat Inc, to develop and commercialize the innovative technology of manufacturing high-value carbon fibers from low-value Alberta asphaltenes for multifunctional applications.• Fabrication of asphaltene-derived carbon fiber reinforced composites through single screw filament extrusion and 3D printing technologies for advanced material applications.• Development of asphaltene-derived carbon fiber reinforced hardwood biocomposites through single screw filament fabrication and 3D printing technologies for alternate biocomposites applications. • Designing effective surface treatments of asphaltene-derived carbon fibers, biomass, and composites for enhanced binding properties.• Utilization of TSRU oil sands tailings as cement additives for the development of cementitious structures• Prepare high quality proposals and grant applications for provincial and federal research councils.

Research Assistant, Chemist I

• Aug 2020 - Jul 2022

• Extensive characterization of Alberta asphaltenes to further understand their molecular structure, MW distribution, aromaticity, rheological behavior, etc. through FT ICR-MS, TGA, TG-MS, NMR, CHNS, XPS, FTIR, etc. for applications in carbon fiber manufacturing• Melt extrusion of Alberta asphaltenes to produce single and multi filament green fibers at elevated temperatures and pressures.• Development of intermediate treatments for asphaltene-derived green fibers such as acid treatment, plasma treatment, iodine treatment, etc. to enhance post-spinning techniques.• Design innovative oxidative stabilization and high temperature carbonization techniques for asphaltene-derived green and stabilized fibers, respectively.• Design a system for the mechanical testing of asphaltene-derived carbon fibers to measure their tensile strength and elastic modulus.• Prepare high quality proposals and grant applications for multiple public and private funding organizations.

Graduate Research Assistant

• Sep 2017 - Jul 2020

• Experimentally investigating the swimming dynamics (mean-square displacements, velocity and trajectory) of chemically modified Janus micro particles with anisotropic surfaces in simple and complex fluid media via vigorous image processing (in ImageJ/FIJI) and MATLAB multiple particle tracking (MPT) algorithm for understanding the dynamics of spherical cargo carriers in complex biological or drilling fluids.• Chemical synthesis of biocompatible calcium carbonate Janus particles via oil-in-water Pickering emulsion for direct applications in biomaterials and enhanced drug delivery. • Preparation of viscoelastic polymer solutions and their microrheological analysis via MATLAB MPT.• Fabrication and characterization of colloidal particles via drop casting, sputter deposition, spin coating, optical/confocal microscopy, dynamic light scattering, SEM/EDX, XRD and FTIR analysis.• Safety control (EHS), risk management, chemical purchase/requisition/inventory (MSDS), instrument training (SOP development), self-inspections, chemical reconciliations, waste disposal/handling (HAZMAT) and student supervision in a dynamic laboratory setting environment.• Highly trained to work in a Class 100 and Class 1000 Cleanroom under the EHS health and safety regulations. • Demonstration of advanced leadership and communication skills by mentoring and supervising high school, undergraduate and graduate summer interns.

Teaching Assistant

• Jan 2019 - May 2019

ENCH 331: Process Fluid Dynamics• Constructed tutorial sessions and helped students during regular class sessions to solve problems (Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid mechanics) individually and in groups• Graded examinations and quizzes along with online grade uploads• Provided office hours to students for one on one problem solving and discussions ENCH 331: Process Fluid Dynamics• Constructed tutorial sessions and helped students during regular class sessions to solve problems (Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid mechanics) individually and in groups• Graded examinations and quizzes along with online grade uploads• Provided office hours to students for one on one problem solving and discussions

Honors Research Candidate/ Undergraduate Research Assistant

• Aug 2016 - Jul 2017

• Developed a microfluidic platform (via Flaming/Brown Micropipette Puller) to enable fabrication of biocompatible semi-permeable liposomal microcapsules for applications in advanced drug delivery.• Incorporation of a fluorescent dye compound within the lipid bilayer liposomal core for time dependent diffusion studies via optical microscopy for applications in biomaterials.• Established the physical framework for a ELP (Elastin-Like-Polypeptide) protein cross-linking reaction for hydrogel formation via microfluidic operation.• Operated the Harvard Apparatus Pump 33 DDS (Dual Drive System) syringe pump to control the fluid flow rates in the double emulsion droplet formation experiment for fabrication of liposomal capsules.

Process Design Lead for Final Year Project

• Apr 2016 - Apr 2017

Capstone Project: Disinfection of Irrigation Water Using PNIPAAm, a Stimuli Responsive Polymer• Process design simulation via ASPEN plus and MS Excel of a highly efficient disinfection module for removal of 99.5% bacteria /parasitic protozoa from contaminated surface water basins.• Understanding the thermodynamics of PNIPAAm polymer to maximize the efficiency of the system and optimize it accordingly.• Development of PFD and P&ID via ASPEN Plus with specific pumps, fittings, heating/cooling units for the continuous batch process with careful consideration of reaction kinetics.• Modeling a fixed bed reactor/contactor with silica beads grafted with PNIPAAm polymer.• Economic analysis (via calculation of bare module cost, cash flow and profitability analysis) of the proposed model with conventional disinfection treatment methods. • Risk management and safety analysis (via HAZOP, Node and Controller System Analysis) for the proposed model system.

Teaching Assistant/Instructor

• Aug 2015 - Jul 2017

CHEM 111, CHEM 120, CHEM 121, CHEM 122, CHEM 123L, CHEM 124L• Taught courses and assisted in proctoring and grading examinations, worksheets, and online homework materials (inorganic chemistry, design of experiments)• Attended weekly TA/Instructor meetings to contribute towards several effective learning methods and assist students during class times• Scheduled office hours for one-on-one TA/student help sessions CHEM 111, CHEM 120, CHEM 121, CHEM 122, CHEM 123L, CHEM 124L• Taught courses and assisted in proctoring and grading examinations, worksheets, and online homework materials (inorganic chemistry, design of experiments)• Attended weekly TA/Instructor meetings to contribute towards several effective learning methods and assist students during class times• Scheduled office hours for one-on-one TA/student help sessions

Teaching Assistant/Peer Learning Facilitator

• Jan 2016 - May 2017

CBE 251, CBE 253: Chemical Process Calculations• Provided specialized in class facilitation (one on one complex problem solving) and other instructional support (productive problem solving methods and different learning strategies) to students• Worked on one on one with students and groups to support completion of class materials (process calculations both manually and in ASPEN Plus/MATLAB along with PFD and PID simulations)• Graded in-class materials, quizzes, assignments and examinations

Undergraduate Research Assistant

• Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

• Fabrication of Crack-Free Silica Glass with large pore sizes via Sol-Gel Synthesis for unidirectionally-graded refractive index profile (UGRIP) optical fibers with tunable microstructural properties. • Design of VLMA (very large mode area) Micro-Structured Optical Fibers via Sol-Gel Synthesis for enhanced Laser Power Output.• Design of pre-form microstructures and models via SketchUp for 3D printing purposes.• Operation, maintenance (process and safety) and troubleshoot of the Fiber Draw Tower independently; preparing, loading and unloading of pre-form samples for optical fiber draws; conduct safety and operation trainings for different students and technicians; develop and maintain an updated SOP for the system.• Interviewing, supervising, training and managing high school summer interns for different research projects.

Conference Assistant

• Nov 2012 - May 2013