In my role at Copprium, I lead laboratory-based efforts including materials R&D, instrumentation/characterization efforts, analytical methods development, process engineering and reaction scale up, pre-production prototyping, and the production of materials for fulfilling purchase orders. Additionally, I have experience with developing grants for state and federal research proposals. My interdisciplinary research efforts have been focused around developing conductive inks and semiconductor inks, optimizing adhesive thin films and coatings for a variety of applications including rigid and flexible, conformal electronics, semiconductor technologies, touch screen applications, wearable technology, antennas and other Internet of Things (IoT) applications. These inks include next generation metallic-based and molecular-based materials. This R&D experience includes inorganic and organic synthesis to create the ink feedstocks used in formulating the inks. Polymer optimization and modification across a range of modified celluloses, acrylics, polyurethanes, fluoro and chloro polymers, resins, and hybrid polymers was carried out to tailor inks for specific applications and properties. Formulation chemistry is utilized to create the final ink products. An array of analytical instrumentation is used including XRD, SEM, TEM, and other microscopy, DSC, TGA, ATR-FTIR, NMR, viscometers, grindometers, numerous electrical testing methods, and many others along with many wet lab techniques. Data and material informatics is utilized to guide R&D efforts as well as analyze production and process issues so that root cause analysis can be carried out. Reaction and formulation processes were scaled up to industrially relevant multi-kilo scales and process engineering was used to optimize production.

In this role, I actively improve safety and manage the chemical and hazardous waste. Chemical/hazardous waste production is monitored and controlled to ensure proper safety measures are taken, such as compliant containers are being used. Satellite waste collection areas are inspected regularly. SDS and SOPs are periodically reviewed to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. Waste inventory is maintained and monitored. Reports with external sources for proper transportation and disposal are prepared and submitted. Familiar with many OSHA and RCRA regulations.

Inventoried and managed chemical and hazardous waste for disposal. Ensured compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations. Inspected and maintained satellite waste collection areas. Maintained safety equipment such as eye wash stations, safety showers, Geiger counters, etc. Created and updated SDS and SOPs to ensure compliance with EHS regulations. Trained new students on regulations and SOPs. Maintained acid and base chemical baths for cleaning glassware.

My PhD research revolved around crystallography, X-ray diffraction, materials science and molecular crystal engineering with aspects of pharmaceutical formulation. My projects were based on designing, synthesizing and analyzing molecular co-crystals and salts. The materials and properties were then analyzed using data and materials informatics to construct a deeper understanding of their properties so as to make informed designs moving forward. Crystalline phase transitions, crystalline reciprocal lattice mapping and temperature dependent X-ray diffraction techniques were utilized to examine unique structural crystallography for these systems. This yielded numerous papers and patents, as well as corporate contracted R&D work with industry giants. Pharmaceutical co-crystals were also developed and analyzed for their properties and applications. This included aerosolizing the compounds for simulated aerosol drug delivery.

Taught Physical and General Chemistry Labs including instrumentation and methods development.

Drug design and synthesis projects were carried out to develop covalent small molecule inhibitors for malaria and tuberculosis. Many forms of characterization were used such as chromatography, NMR, etc.