Mac Mccormick Email & Phone Number

Carrboro, Nc, Us

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

Run through each set of experiments during TA training week, preview course materials/educational software platform, prepare ~10 minute prelab lecture/overview for students, provide students with any assistance during lab periods (2 each week for 3 hours), grade assignments

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States

During my junior and senior years, I worked under the mentorship of Dr. Tristan Clemons from the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. For my senior honors project, I synthesized polyacrylonitrile (PAN), the industry standard precursor material for carbon fiber production, to high molecular weights (150,000-400,000 g/mol) using ambient temperature UV-initiated photoiniferter RAFT polymerization in aqueous systems containing high concentrations of Lewis acid salts, such as zinc chloride. I… Show more During my junior and senior years, I worked under the mentorship of Dr. Tristan Clemons from the School of Polymer Science and Engineering. For my senior honors project, I synthesized polyacrylonitrile (PAN), the industry standard precursor material for carbon fiber production, to high molecular weights (150,000-400,000 g/mol) using ambient temperature UV-initiated photoiniferter RAFT polymerization in aqueous systems containing high concentrations of Lewis acid salts, such as zinc chloride. I performed ¹H NMR to observe polymerization kinetics and used UV-Vis spectroscopy to observe the active wavelength region for the trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent. I also observed any potential influence of these Lewis acid additives on tacticity of final polymer using ¹³C NMR Spectroscopy. Findings of this study reported faster polymerization kinetics and higher molecular weights of resulting polymers using photopolymerization chemistry than reported in literature utilizing traditional thermal RAFT approaches. In addition, this system utilizes the aqueous environment that avoids toxic polar organic solvents conventionally used for synthesizing/processing PAN, such as DMF, DMSO, and ethylene carbonate.Outcomes of this work included successful completion of my senior honors thesis, presentation at the New Orleans Spring 2024 ACS Conference, and a submitted and approved patent. Show less

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States

In the summer of 2023, I completed the SULI program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and worked in the chemical separations group. My project involved using hydrophilic organic compounds that can selectively bind to specific rare earth metals and allow for quantitative separations. Throughout my project, I gained hands-on experience at preparing samples, qualitatively determining formation of precipitate/crystals, and using various analytical chemistry lab instrumentation, such as column… Show more In the summer of 2023, I completed the SULI program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and worked in the chemical separations group. My project involved using hydrophilic organic compounds that can selectively bind to specific rare earth metals and allow for quantitative separations. Throughout my project, I gained hands-on experience at preparing samples, qualitatively determining formation of precipitate/crystals, and using various analytical chemistry lab instrumentation, such as column chromatography, Karl Fischer Titrator, and mass analyzer. I also toured world-class facilities at ORNL used collaboratively by scientists and engineers across the country, such as the Graphite Reactor, Frontier Supercomputer, Spallation Seutron Source, High-flux Isotope Reactor, and the Center for Nanophase Materials Science.The outcome of this work included presentation of findings at the end of the summer through a laboratory-wide poster session for undergraduate interns. Show less

Gainesville, Florida, United States

In the Summer of 2022, I conducted research in the Sumerlin Laboratory at the University of Florida through the REU IoT4Ag Program. My research project investigated the use of molecularly imprinted polymer hydrogels for selectively targeting Aflatoxin, a toxin that has been found in peanuts and other various crops. In this work, I synthesized methacrylic acid-based hydrogels in the presence of crosslinkers, a template molecule with a similar binding site to the toxin, and a porous solvent… Show more In the Summer of 2022, I conducted research in the Sumerlin Laboratory at the University of Florida through the REU IoT4Ag Program. My research project investigated the use of molecularly imprinted polymer hydrogels for selectively targeting Aflatoxin, a toxin that has been found in peanuts and other various crops. In this work, I synthesized methacrylic acid-based hydrogels in the presence of crosslinkers, a template molecule with a similar binding site to the toxin, and a porous solvent (acetonitrile) on glass slides under UV light. I conducted adsorption kinetics using UV-Vis spectroscopy by observing the change in absorbance corresponding to the active region for the template molecule as the gels remove template from solution. I also used TGA and DSC to observe to observe the glass transition temperature of the gels and optimize properties for potential use of these hydrogels on optical sensors for detecting these toxins in crops. I also had the opportunity to attend an IoT4Ag Conference at Purdue University and learn about the extent to which farming technologies are becoming more automated using robotics and machine learning.Outcomes of this work included presentation of the project at the Fall 2022 Mississippi local ACS Banquet held at USM and the Fall 2022 Southwest Regional ACS meeting. Show less

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States

During my freshman and sophomore years, I worked in Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins' research group which focuses on composites and advanced materials for commercial applications such as aircraft and the aerospace industry. During my time in the Wiggins' research group, my research investigated the thermal stability of phosphate-bridged phthalonitriles, which are advanced materials with high thermal stabilities and long shelf lives, making them of interest for aerospace applications. In this work, I… Show more During my freshman and sophomore years, I worked in Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins' research group which focuses on composites and advanced materials for commercial applications such as aircraft and the aerospace industry. During my time in the Wiggins' research group, my research investigated the thermal stability of phosphate-bridged phthalonitriles, which are advanced materials with high thermal stabilities and long shelf lives, making them of interest for aerospace applications. In this work, I conducted synthesis and characterization of these materials using TGA, DSC, and FTIR.Outcomes of this work included presentation of findings at the San Diego Spring 2022 ACS Conference. Show less

Wiggins, Mississippi

During staff training week, I inspected the campsites and did several projects around the area. I helped build a new ramp next to the rifle range and move a firepit to a new location. During the weeks of camp, I taught several merit badge classes to scouts, served meals on certain days, and stored and inventoried equipment.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Polymer Chemistry

Chemistry And Polymer Science & Engineering (B.S.), 3.9 Gpa; Honors College Graduate Summa Cum Laude

Activities and Societies: Honors College Wesley Foundation Polymer Science Association (PSA) American Chemical Society (ACS)