NRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Electronics Science and Technology Division at NRL. My research is focused on the study of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) films for the chemiresistive sensing of toxic chemicals. I employ several ultrahigh vacuum-based spectroscopic techniques to determine the fundamental interactions between TMD films and toxic gas molecules and how the presence of toxic chemicals affect the properties of the TMD films.

I worked in the in John R. Morris group, studying the fundamental chemical interactions that occur at the gas-surface interface, specifically focusing on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). This research combined traditional surface science experiments in order to understand the uptake, diffusion, reaction, and desorption of gases on ultrahigh surface area materials. My work was part of a multi-university collaboration (named MultiRAD), that focused on the development of novel filtration and catalyst materials in order to sequester and degrade toxic gases. For more information, see our website: http://www.multirad.chem.vt.edu/

I have instructed lab courses in General Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry as well as graded for Instrumental Analysis lecture. My responsibilities have included lecture/lab prep, method development, instructing students on a variety of experiments and techniques such as: proper sample preparation, titrations (EDTA, complexometric, and acid/base), GC-MS, UV-Vis spectroscopy, AAS, and GC-FID.

Assisted in cGMP production of kilogram scale API products.

I studied the effects of solvent mixing on the crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) films. Solvents of varying volatility and polarizability affected the crystallization rate for each block, thus altering the overall crystallinity and the physical properties of the film. The ratio of PEO to PCL crystals were determined through FTIR analysis, while the percent crystallinity was measured through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

I worked on determining the physical properties and crystallization kinetics of diblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) through FTIR and DSC analysis