Carried out experiments and analytical analyses for the research and development of cellulosic biofuel technology: •Generated experimental data via GC-FID/TCD, GC-MS, CHNS-O and Karl-Fischer analyses of gas/liquid phase samples from bioreactors. •Resolved a biofuel/process water separation issue with multifaceted emulsion breaking experiments. •Provided reports used to direct research and development by compiling and reviewing/verifying analytical and experimental data. •Handled basic instrument maintenance, records and calibration, along with lab inventory and waste streams. •Successfully trained new hires on instrumentation. •Participated in SOP construction and instrument validation.

•ExxonMobil: Provided performance data for a new semi-automated undersea technology that can detect oil reservoirs. Generated data via a research cruise that deployed the technology and collected physical samples along side with a remotely operated vehicle.•US Geological Survey: Quantified methane fluxes in the water column above potentially climate sensitive methane hydrate deposits in the Artic via field measurements of methane oxidation rates.•UC Irvine: Developed and published a method for 14C measurements of methane and carbon dioxide in soil pore gas.•National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): Provided data for litigation against BP following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill via two research cruises. Led night shift to collect samples with a remotely operated vehicle, processed samples in a shipboard laboratory with a team of scientists and maintained the laboratory.Pack, MA, X Xu, M Lupascu, JD Kessler and C Czimczik. (2015). A rapid method for preparing low volume CH4 gas samples for 14C-AMS analysis. Organic Geochemistry. 78: 89-98.Valentine, DL, B Fisher, SC Bagby, RK Nelson, CM Reddy, SP Sylvac, and MA Woo. (2014). Fallout plume of submerged oil from Deepwater Horizon. PNAS. 111(45): 15906-15911.

Developed and published methods for 14C-measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon with a team. Trained undergraduates to operate a vacuum line system and prepare samples for isotopic analysis. Collaboratively mentored a graduate student to develop and publish a new sample preparation method. Maintained a laboratory for the use of 14C-labeled compounds. Gao, P, X Xu, L Zhoua, MA Pack, S Griffin, GM Santos, JR Southon, and K Liuc. (2014). Rapid sample preparation of dissolved inorganic carbon in natural waters using a headspace-extraction approach for radiocarbon analysis on accelerator mass spectrometry. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods. 12: 172-188.Xu, X, GM Santos, C Czimczik, S Beaupre, MA Pack, F Hopkins, A Stills, M Lupascu, and L Ziolkowski. (in preparation). Sample preparation for radiocarbon analysis. in T Schuur (ed.), Radiocarbon in Ecology and Earth System Science.

Developed a new method for measuring methane oxidation rates in ocean waters that utilized low-levels of radiocarbon (14C) labeled methane and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Collected water samples at sea, 14C labeled samples shipboard, and analyzed them for 14C back in the laboratory.Participated in 2 research cruises (equivalent to ~45 days at sea) and gained skills in stable isotope and radiocarbon measurements, vacuum line extractions, and gas chromatography.Research Cruises: [1] Eastern Tropical Pacific Research Cruise
R/V Knorr, Chief Scientist: Kendra Daly, Dec 7, 2008 - Jan 6, 2009Lead a research team of 3 scientists in a field campaign to investigate the eastern tropical Pacific's regional methane budget. Collected and prepared water samples for methane oxidation rate, concentration and stable isotope analysis, and DNA extractions using a CTD/Rosette. Participated in the collection of particulate organic matter via in situ filtering pumps and biologic samples via tows with different types of nets.Southern California Bight Research Cruise
[2] R/V Atlantis, Chief Scientist: Dave L. Valentine, July 3 - 17, 2007
Tested the new method for methane oxidation rate measurements against an established method via parallel rate measurements. Also helped to collect other sample types including samples for methane concentration and stable isotope analysis, and DNA extractions.Pack, M. A., M. B. Heintz, W. S. Reeburgh, S. E. Trumbore, D. L. Valentine, X. Xu, and E. R. M. Druffel. (2015). Methane oxidation in the eastern tropical North Pacific Ocean water column. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences. 120. doi:10.1002/2014JG002900Pack, MA, MB Heintz, WS Reeburgh, SE Trumbore, DL Valentine, X Xu, and ERM Druffel. (2011). A method for measuring methane oxidation rates using low-levels of 14C-labeled methane and accelerator mass spectrometry. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods. 9: 245-260.

Assisted Professors in the teaching of ESS 5: The Atmosphere, ESS 53: Ocean Biogeochemistry, and ESS 25: Introduction to Earth and Environmental Sciences. Developed group activities for students to interact and review class material during the discussion sections. Prepared/graded exams, planned/led discussion sections, prepared/presented lectures, hosted office hours. Managed class website and grades with online software.

Performed field and lab research concerning groundwater hydrology and marine hydrocarbon seeps.Groundwater hydrology research: Assisted in research that used SF6 as a tracer to study groundwater flow between spreading ponds (for groundwater recharge) and nearby wells. The research involved labeling the ponds with SF6 and collecting water samples from the ponds and wells for SF6 analysis. The concentration of SF6 in the respective water samples was measured using a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector.Marine hydrocarbon research: Collected and analyzed water samples from the Coal Oil Point Seep field off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA. The hydrocarbon (methane, ethane, and propane) content in each sample was measured using a gas chromatograph with a thermal conductivity detector.

Designed/led weekly group tutorial sessions for general chemistry students (~20-100 per group) at Campus Learning Assistive Services (CLAS). Designed problem sets to review topics covered in the weekly lectures and for midterm / final exams. Had students work through the problem sets / present the solutions and circulated to offer assistance.

Conducted research for Phase I inspections, assembled chemical inventories, and setup a material safety data sheet database.

Tutored general chemistry students with minimal STEM backgrounds one-on-one.

Tutored general chemistry students in a walk-in setting.