Daniel Trahan Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Houston, Tx, Us

Lake Jackson, Tx

• Constructed Brownian-dynamics–finite-element code to simulate DNA electrophoresis in gene mapping devices.• Assessed efficacy of novel microfluidic technique designed to increase sensitivity of gene detection. - Solved for applied electric fields in microfluidic devices using finite element analysis. - Proposed quantitative model to predict best-case performance for design and optimization.• Studied interactions between DNA and micro-fabricated obstacles for application in length-based separations. - Partnered with scientists at U.S. Genomics to build mechanistic model to explain and guide experiments. - Developed and implemented technique that decreased computational time nearly an order of magnitude.• Simulated and modeled behavior of polymers in confined environments typical of micro- and nanofluidic devices. - Derived analytical model of relaxation process that predicted experimentally important measurables. - Identified important parameters relevant to design and optimization of polymer-stretching devices.• Assisted or collaborated with other graduate students on projects both within and outside my areas of expertise resulting in second authorships and numerous acknowledgements.• Awarded Biomechanics NIH Training Grant, providing exposure to current biomolecular research and techniques.• Teaching assistant for graduate-level Transport Phenomenon: Prepared and taught two recitations a week for a class of 75 students, organized reviews, and graded exams.

• Managed group of three interns that established operating conditions for drying dough pellets in a novel fluidized bed dryer, resulting in Rousseau Award for Leadership and Ethics in Chemical Engineering Practice, MIT.• Developed and validated techniques for residence time measurements and constructed models for design optimization.• Presented recommendations to management, incl. Chief Science Officer, and wrote final report detailing all findings.

• Directed group of three interns that identified ways to increase yield of high-valued drugs during processing.• Assessed utility of commercial process-scheduling software and constructed models to pinpoint bottlenecks.• Presented recommendations to top management at company headquarters and wrote reports detailing all findings.

Mscep, Phd, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Physics

Thesis: "Simulating the behavior of DNA in microfluidic devices"

Bsche, Chemical Engineering, Computational And Applied Mathematics