Senior scientist on electrochemical characterization team.

The objective of my research is to better understand the influence of electrostatics on the interfacial processes that occur during rechargeable battery cycling. Despite huge advances in the field of electrochemical energy storage, the local electric fields at the electrode/electrolyte junctions have yet to be characterized. Using a combination of electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, I aim to be the first to quantify the magnitude of these fields. Additionally, it is of interest to… Show more The objective of my research is to better understand the influence of electrostatics on the interfacial processes that occur during rechargeable battery cycling. Despite huge advances in the field of electrochemical energy storage, the local electric fields at the electrode/electrolyte junctions have yet to be characterized. Using a combination of electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, I aim to be the first to quantify the magnitude of these fields. Additionally, it is of interest to explore the impact of electrode surface dipole modification on this electrostatic environment. The results of this project will offer new strategies for improving battery performance.• Designed and built an air-free in situ spectroelectrochemical cell integrated with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer • Using cell described above, performs vibrational Stark spectroscopy (VSS) to monitor electric fields• Performs electrochemical measurements on relevant negative electrode systems using potentiostatic cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry• Fabricates battery coin cells and performs cycling tests on a MACCOR battery testing system• In charge of MBraun Argon Glove Box and Autolab Potentiostat/Galvanostat maintenance Show less

• Teaches supplementary sessions for 50 students in general chemistry courses, holds help sessions, proctors exams and instructs weekly laboratory sessions• Grades lab reports, exams and quizzes for lower and upper level chemistry courses• Facilitated the transition from paper to electronic lab report grading

• Served as a technical consultant on investment due diligence teams to assess several battery start-up companies• Collaborated with a team of graduate students and senior fellows to create and present a “Batteries for Angels 101” study group session for the general E8 membership

• Primary inorganic chemist responsible for the sample preparation and analysis of environmental water and soil samples for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program • Support analyst for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in air samples using a GC/MS instrument • Peer reviewed inorganic and organic reports, assisted with sampled receipt and login, wrote and edited Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

• Primary inorganic chemist responsible for the sample preparation and analysis of environmental water and soil samples for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program • Support analyst for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in air samples using a GC/MS instrument • Peer reviewed inorganic and organic reports, assisted with sampled receipt and login, wrote and edited Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

• Performed daily wet chemistry analyses on drinking water samples in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Clean Water Act Standard Methods, quality control checks, and sample login

• Compiled chemical database for the Design for the Environment division of the Environmental Protection Agency • Assisted in the Pollution Prevention analysis for the Toxic Release Inventory Program of the Environmental Protection Agency

Utilized knowledge of chemistry and laboratory procedures to answer questions, grade worksheets, maintain a clean working environment, and assist the professor of 23 students weekly in a General Chemistry II laboratory.

Collaborated with a fellow student in research on the function of double-walled carbon nanotubes in the production of photovoltaic solar cells. Additionally, investigated the use of visible light as a photocatalyst in the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes.