Whitney Harmon Email & Phone Number

Livermore, California, United States

Ultrafast Raman Spectroscopy

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

• Developed and integrated a high-throughput rapid acquisition method for multidimensional spectroscopies involving precise control of optomechanical movement, pulse modulation, timing, and data acquisition. • Designed and implemented a novel optical parametric amplifier that increased mid-IR power two-fold. • Implemented a piezoelectric steering mirror mount feedback loop system for beam stabilization and control.• Operated, troubleshot, and repaired femtosecond mode-locked oscillators, resonators, chirped pulse amplifiers, and diode pumped solid state laser systems, with an aptitude for de novo alignments. • Experienced in various linear, non-linear, and multidimensional spectroscopies involving UV/Vis/IR wavelengths • Assembled a continuous-scanning interferometer with SHG for time and frequency domain characterization. • Characterized laser performance using oscilloscopes, integrators, ultrafast diode detectors. • Routinely utilized data acquisition cards and acousto-optic modulators to execute experiments and gather data. • Developed a strong understanding of laser physics, non-linear frequency conversion, and electro-optics. • Simulated and modeled interferometric autocorrelations for pulse characterization and dispersion. • Performed atomic force microscopy to study the surface-induced changes to ionic liquid properties. • Designed and manufactured optomechanical prototypes using AutoCAD and precision machining technology.• Acquired expertise in CNC setup and operation, utilizing CAD/CAM software to program 3-axis mills, selecting appropriate tools, and establishing optimal speeds and feeds using material knowledge.• Proficient in MATLAB, LabVIEW, Igor Pro with experience with C#, APIs, Python, and Machine Learning.• Communicated results using written reports and verbal presentations to audiences with varying expertise.

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

• Instructed upper-level students in laboratory courses related to physical and analytical chemistry concepts, including instrumental methods and computational calculations. This encompassed teaching quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, chromatography, and fundamental chemistry.• Facilitated discussion and presented course material to over 100 students, thereby enhancing my communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.

Lawrence, Kansas

• Conducted surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy experiments. • Experienced with femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy.

Lawrence, Kansas

My research for this program focused on studying a molecular photoswitch in the plasmonic field of gold nanoparticles. I used transmission measurements involving high-intensity laser pulses and a low-intensity continuous-wave to study excitation mechanism of the molecular photoswitch in the enhanced electric-field of the gold nanoparticles. As a supplemented to this research, I used surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy where I monitored the photoconversion with a continuous-wave laser as a separate technique sensitive to molecules in plasmonic regions alone. I presented this project as a part of the REU program, at the ACS Midwest Regional meeting, and the Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physical Sciences (best poster award). I will also be presenting this research at the upcoming ACS National meeting.

Phd Candidate, Chemistry

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Chemistry