Heather Berensmann Email & Phone Number

Hillsboro, Oregon, United States

Frederick, Maryland, United States

• Performed and improved techniques for processing biological specimens for high resolution volume electron microscopy including, freeze substitution and conventional fixation.
• Developed a novel pipeline for sample processing of biological specimens in a fully automated fashion, which resulted in a dramatically shorter time for specimen fixation to embed in resin.
• Collected ultrathin sections (50 - 100 μm) using ultramicrotomy methods and appropriately prepared them for numerous imaging techniques including LM, SEM-Array Tomography, STEM, and TEM.
• Lead operator on Zeiss GeminiSEM 450 for quality control using self-developed SEM-STEM imaging p rotocols for automated micrograph acquisitions using Ziess Atlas 5 software.
• Analyzed and created three-dimensional reconstructions of FIB-SEM datasets using 3D Slicer software and prepared them for visual analyses and scientific publications.
• Innovated and developed new laboratory equipment and EM accessories for several groups using Ultimaker’s FDM 3D printers.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

• Synthesized isosorbide methacrylate (IM) resin with the addition of smaller monomers to reduce the rigidity of the bicyclical backbone IM molecule by chain extension.
• Toughened IM to allow for applications in composite matrices with high temperature environments.
• Photopolymerized resin blends using additive manufacturing techniques such as digital light processing.
• Conducted various analytical analyses using FTIR, NIR, DSC, rheometer, and TMA. As well as mechanical testing using fracture toughness, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile testing.

Greater Philadelphia

• Maintained freshman to senior level laboratories with appropriate supplies, chemicals, and equipment.
• Synthesized needed high accuracy solutions using cobalt nitrate and crystal violet for analytical labs.
• Expedited a variety of minor to mild repairs on instruments such as HPLC, Near-IR, and mass spectrometry.

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, United States

• Supported R&D experiments, production, and patents with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis as well as elemental analysis using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Providing scientists with valuable.
• Demonstrated leadership by training new technicians to operate Hitachi SEMs and associated sample preparation equipment including a plasma sputter coater and an ultra-violet cleaner.
• Supported numerous analytical labs while complying with company SOPs. Analyzed zeolite and silica catalyst materials using FTIR, x-ray diffraction and fluorescence (XRD/ XRF), and surface area and porosity analyzer.

Greater Philadelphia

• Investigated discrepancies between ship and shore based systems
• Managed standard operating procedures
• Tested and validated shipboard equipment and systems

Bachelor Of Engineering - Be, Engineering

Activities and Societies: Material Advantage

Master Of Engineering - Meng, Materials Science And Engineering

Master's thesis research in polymers and composites laboratory under Professor Giuseppe Palmese