Sara Orski Email & Phone Number

Gaithersburg, Md

- Measured model polyolefins with systematic control of branch frequency and branch length towards developing next-generation standard reference materials for the plastics industry- Validated methods to identify recovered ocean plastics and quantify chemical and physical properties of degraded materials-Developed and implemented customized piezoelectric sensors to quantify enzyme adsorption, kinetics, and stability, resulting in enhanced catalyst durability for green polymer manufacturing- Developed quantitative x-ray reflectivity measurements to understand confined thin film thermodynamics and compared results to theoretical models to improve fundamental knowledge of polymer interactions at interfaces, relevant to polymer separations and thin film sensor development- Advised research and development scientists at chemical companies regarding materials characterization challenges, including novel methods to overcome measurement roadblocks that are limiting product development in their businesses - Developed successful expansion of postdoctoral group from division to laboratory level for NIST Materials Measurement Laboratory (MML), including presenting the expansion plan to NIST MML management-Researched and assessed NIST polymer mass standards program for division strategic planning, including assessment of commercial market needs, current NIST capabilities, and proposed evaluation plans to modernize NIST polymer standards program to meet measurement challenges of emerging commercial materials-Designed and authored a standards development proposal including explaining the need for a new material, detailing a multi-phase testing plan to determine material properties and measurement specifications-Created a NIST quality manual on standard protocols for analysis of polymer molar mass-Maintained and operated division SEC instrument laboratory, including ambient and high temperature (HT) systems, with multiple physical and chemical detectors

Athens, Ga

• Designed and synthesized customizable polymer thin films resulting in an easily modifiable surface for varied chemical sensing applications with a 25-fold increase in molecules per area over traditional thin film sensors• Experience in organic synthesis, thin film fabrication methods, and analytical instrumentation to control and characterize the chemical composition, topography, surface energy, and mechanical properties of materials and surfaces• Collaborated with colleagues in physics and biochemistry to incorporate nanoscale structures and selective molecule capture within thin film sensors - to expand the breadth of sensor applications • Spearheaded method development, training, maintenance and troubleshooting of group size exclusion chromatography instrument • Evaluated reaction rates of polymer thin film functionalization with varying surface chemistry

Phd, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: Chemistry Graduate Student Organization (CGSO), Graduate Students and Postdocs Society (GSPS)

B.S, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: William and Mary Symphony Orchestra, William & Mary Orientation Aides,

Education record