I am currently working to understand the dynamics of HIV-1 and the adaptive immune system through the use of molecular dynamics (GROMACS). I hope to use the insights gained through the projects listed below to contribute to the development of a robust vaccination protocol, and to generate a high throughput manner for vaccine development of other infectious disease pathogens (Influenza, Malaria, etc.)Project Title: Engineering HIV-1 to Infect Owl Monkeys for an improved HIV vaccine model- Mapping key contact points of HIV-1 to co-receptor CCR5 in both humans and owl monkeys- Predicting key mutations via molecular dynamics to recapitulate human HIV-1 infection in owl monkeys to serve as a model organism for vaccine testingProject Title: Evolved Resistance to Lentivirus Infection in New World Monkey CCR5- Provided key insights into the role of post-translational modifications (sulfonated tyrosines) to determine how New World Monkeys have been able to evade lentivirus infections using molecular dynamics simulationsProject Title: High-resolution evolutionary dynamics of HIV reveal consistent paths of early escape from broadly neutralizing antibodies that enable computational modeling of viral evolution- Modeled gp120 of multiple HIV-1 strains with appropriate glycosylation to discern mechanistic insights of common escape mutation pathways revealed in experiments with mouse modelsProject Title: Coupling machine learning with agent-based modeling to design vaccines against highly mutable pathogens- Formulating HIV-1 antigen sequences through a robust model of affinity maturation driven by a deep reinforcement learning framework to inform both vaccine design and vaccination protocols

Course: Process Control (CHEN 4570)- Instructed approx. 80 students remotely in recitation and review sessions on the fundamentals and nuances of control theory- Guided students through the design and implementation of control schemes with fundamental circuit boards

Mechanistic Understanding of Degradation of DCP- Working closely with Dow Chemical in designing an imbibing process to increase the usefulness of cross linked polyethylene in cable.- Assisting in discovering a novel mechanism by which the reaction takes place.Publication: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.9b02344Synthesis of 5-Substituted Tetrazoles: A Modified Catalytic Approach- We are currently investigating safer ways to produce tetrazoles while avoiding toxic gas formation- This work is being utilized to design novel and adjustable polymer agents through both batch and flow reactor setupsThroughout these projects, I worked alongside multiple professors and post-doctoral fellows designing experiments, learning lab techniques, and receiving mentorship each step of the way

Recently, a full-time process contact resigned from their role, and I have been performing all the duties of a full-time process contact for the FCC unit. Responsibilities of this role include making technical recommendations for optimizations of the unit, creating and progressing MOCs, providing support in crisis situations, and supporting any and all business needs from the operations team. My earlier projects included creating tools to monitor performance and predict fouling on heat exchangers and FCC injectors allowing for fewer shutdowns, drafting plan and executing plant test for caustic regeneration unit improvements, and improving overall mass balance for the propane system and storage with recoveries and tools throughout units.

My primary responsibilities were to develop new processes for handling small high-volume orders from customers with projected savings of up to $1.4 million dollars. Additionally, I helped to further develop a document to track sales and revenue to allow for accurate reporting.

In this role I researched and developed a process for the recovery of energy metals from spent lithium ion batteries in order to create a new significant source of lithium. A bulk of my work was around optimizing a solvent extraction design for increased purity and yield of desired products.Patent filing underway

Helped to create an annual competition for innovative ideas and projects in order to make Georgia Tech’s campus more sustainable raising more than $10,000 from sponsorsAssisted in creating a variety of sustainable initiatives from lectures for new freshmen to recycling gloves used in laboratories

Led a cross-functional and highly diverse team from ideation to prototyping of productDeveloped a cheap alternative form of energy creation from waste heat given off from wood-fire cook stoves in developing nationsAdvised sophomore teams on their direction, organization, and future steps to take in order to have a successful project

Work to improve the overall mental health of students on Georgia Tech’s campus, and to create a more positive culture of highly motivated studentsWork with administrators within schools and colleges on Georgia Tech’s campus to create and share resources with students

Developed a positive living environment designed to link community, faculty, and professorsPromoted academic excellence, addressed student needs, and encouraged involvement for residentsIdeated, organized, and led student-centered bi-weekly hall programs to promote social, educational, and professional developmentMentored first year Grand Challenges students on how to create a successful team research project

Elected as president of residence hall community where I oversaw an annual budget of $6,000 and plan a variety of events and programs such as a diversity celebration and a green awareness event in order to promote community cohesiveness and wellbeing