Modified the surface chemistry of polymeric materials to enhance anti-inflammatory responses to polymeric implants and improve integration of these implants with bone tissue.• Led multiple projects independently to evaluate the interface of biomaterials with bacteria, cells and in vivo tissue by executing complex procedures, such as ELISA, PCR, cell culture and flow cytometry, resulting in 4 peer-reviewed publications • Developed and optimized in-vitro tests for the evaluation of cellular responses to biomaterials by adapting established methods using sound judgement and wrote protocols and trained junior students to apply these adapted techniques• Isolated and characterized primary murine macrophages and stem cells to conduct immunology studies • Executed in vivo study, collected tissue samples, and analyzed endpoint bone density, bone-implant interface, and implant stability with microCT scanning, histology, and mechanical testing to understand effect of surface functionalization of implants on bone binding in rat tibiae• Characterized assay performance including precision, specificity and sensitivity to quantify surface density of functional groups with dye adsorption technique • Maintained high quality lab documentation, analyzed experimental results using software, such as GraphPad Prism, CellProfiler, and FIJI, and managed large volume imaging data systems, such as microCT images and proteomics results• Wrote standard operating protocols (SOPs) for laboratory equipment and trained new students according to the SOPs• Spearheaded lab cleaning and reorganization effort to improve work efficiency in the space and resolve lab issues, such as visibility of lab supplies and ease of access to lab equipment

Engineered the growth factor, CXCL-12, to increase its affinity for the extracellular matrix (ECM) for better retention at injury sites and better regenerative capacity • Fused the growth factor, CXCL-12, to a heparin-binding domain with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and prepared plasmid constructs for transfection with mammalian cells• Purified transfected proteins with affinity chromatography and verified purity with SDS-PAGE and western blots• Proposed alternative strategy for producing CXCL-12 by incorporating a cleavable Fc domain that allowed for effective transfection of the growth factor with more efficient resource use of resources• Interfaced with various departments at EPFL, including the protein expression facility and proteomics departments, to produce and characterize expressed protein characteristics• Presented results at an international conference and received best poster award

Developed and tested polymeric electrospun membranes for water filtration applications to reduce heavy metal ions from contaminated water sources• Developed water-stable electrospun chitosan and poly(allylamine) fibers by optimizing the crosslinking process with genipin and hexamethylene-1,6-diaminocarboxysulfonate (HDACS) to allow the fibers to remain stable in aqueous environments for at least 72 hours • Functionlized chitosan fibers with thiol groups to enhance chitosan’s ability to chelate arsenic• Characterized the chitosan and poly(allylamine) fiber morphology with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confirmed chemical modification and crosslinking with FTIR and NMR spectroscopy• Synthesized the crosslinker hexamethylene-1,6-diaminocarboxysulfonate (HDACS) for our lab group

Collaborated with engineering faculty and graduate students to provide support for the freshman engineering design labs as a peer mentor• Guided three groups of 48 students through engineering modules, such as reverse engineering a camera shutter, building a K'NEX bridge, and building/programming an NXT robot• Assisted in the implementation of new design modules for the course • Helped the freshman engineering students acclimate to college life each year

Tutored 4-5 undergraduate students in introductory courses, such as calculus and chemistry, through the Drexel Learning Center (DLC)• Ensured that the students fully understand the concepts behind troublesome homework questions • Taught my students useful study techniques for their science and engineering courses• Participated in DLC study sessions during midterm and finals weeks of the term

Selected to participate in the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program through the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM) and worked with post-doctoral students to create functionalized nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) coatings on AFM probes for nanolithography applications• Optimized hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) of NCD on silicon films and applied the technique to coat AFM probes• Adapted photochemical reactions to graft alkene-terminated molecules onto NCD coatings on both silicon films and AFM probes• Characterized the NCD coatings with AFM, SEM, FTIR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy• Presented my project results at the end of the program to share my results with my fellow REU students and won award for best student report• Wrote a report to summarize my progress during the program

Research internship to support the Fluoropolymer testing department with accelerated weathering measurements and mechanical testing of various polymer materials• Improved the organization of data and the test scheduling procedure for accelerated weathering benchmarking programs by implementing pivot tables in Excel spreadsheets and creating a master calendar for all programs• Managed and performed testing for 13 benchmarking studies that compared the mechanical properties and color of competitor solar panel backsheets after exposure to QUVA and QUVB accelerated weathering cycles every 1000 hours• Performed mechanical testing (tensile, flexural, and impact testing) on injection molded samples to characterize the mechanical properties of a new polymer formulation according to ASTM standard procedures • Compiled and presented a technical brief containing suggestions for future applications of the new polymer formulation to the department supervisor

Research internship to support the technical services and analytical laboratories• Operated and maintained Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) equipment to quantify molecular weight of oil additive polymers synthesized in the chemistry department• Calibrated x-ray fluorescence equipment with internal standards to perform quantitative analysis of 10 elements and measure level of contaminants after the synthesis of polymers by the chemistry department• Performed sonic shear, pour point, and kinematic viscosity testing for a new batch of reference oil to update numerous product specifications according to ASTM standards• Determined the conversion factor between the American and Japanese sonic shear test methods for direct correlation of international product specifications• Authored a technical report to inform customers of the product specification changes with the new batch of reference oil and presented results of sonic shear correlation study to innovation department

Supported the parish office as a secretary• Answered phone calls regarding church related inquiries • Sold Mass cards weekly and kept record of sales• Made copies for office personnel • Organized and folded pamphlets for Masses and other ceremonies