Fabrication and optimization of solar cells that combine colloidal quantum dots with organometal halide perovskite materials. Device fabrication employs low temperature, solution processing methodologies. Quantum dot size is tuned synthetically and surface modification is utilized as an approach to increase the open circuit voltage and power conversion efficiency. Advisor: Moungi G. BawendiOther roles: - Wet lab co-manager (2012 – 2013): purchase general use chemicals and supplies for the lab.- Lab EHS Representative (2013 – Current): Perform weekly lab inspections, lead new user lab safety training, monitor training records, collaborate with EHS Coordinator for yearly training refresher, facilitate safety discussions during group meetings, discontinued lab’s use of mercury bubblers and switched to oil bubblers, coordinated with EHS to dispose of >1200 unnecessary chemicals in addition to normal waste over a seven month period to ensure no additional disposal fees were incurred, organized and facilitated lab/chemical/office move to a new lab space.

The Bawendi Lab is a multi-disciplinary, 40-user research group of graduate students and post-docs, with work spanning the disciplines of organic and inorganic synthetic chemistry, spectroscopy, biology, device fabrication and engineering. 40% of the users are collaborators outside the Chemistry Department. Researchers frequently use nanomaterials, heavy metals, pyrophorics, gloveboxes, schlenk manifolds, vacuum systems, class 3b/4 lasers, and biological materials (BL2).- Foster a friendly, non-confrontational environment to discuss safety and lead safety discussions at group meetings.- Perform weekly Level I inspections.- Educate new researchers, including new lab members and collaborators within and outside the Chemistry Department, on lab safety policies and use of emergency equipment. Primary contact for safety issues and questions.- Train researchers in emergency and evacuation procedures as Fire Warden; visually inspect fire protective equipment and check work areas to ensure all lab members have evacuated the building during an emergency.- Brought lab into compliance with the Chemistry Department flame resistant lab coat policy. Wrote lab coat exemption requests for four laser labs and an electronics room, and requests approved by the Chemistry EHS Committee.- Facilitated replacement of all mercury bubblers with oil bubblers to reduce the lab’s potential environmental impact.- Collaborate with EHS Coordinator for annual group safety refresher. Incorporated group member presentations on lab specific safety topics to further engage participants and facilitate discussion. Group topics included general laboratory safety, hazardous waste reminders, laser safety, biosafety, and working safely with pyrophoric materials.- Respond to spills, accidents, and personnel injuries, and aid in accident reporting. Compile and submit annual SARA/DHS regulatory report and the 2014 City of Cambridge survey of engineered nano materials.

Spring 2014 and Fall 2014 Semesters: Developed and led weekly problem solving sessions for Principles of Chemical Science in the Concourse Program. Active learning strategies implemented throughout recitations, review sessions, and office hours. The Concourse Program offers small class sizes for freshmen and integrates science and math with the humanities. Instructor: Elizabeth Vogel Taylor

Recitation instructor for Principles of Chemical Science (General Institute Requirement course). Fall 2011 instructors: Catherine Drennan and Keith Nelson, Spring 2012 instructors: Elizabeth Vogel Taylor and Alexander Klibanov

Fit the transitions belonging to five fundamental vibrations in the high-resolution FTIR spectrum of pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) to a Watson Hamiltonian using H.M. Pickett's spectroscopy fitting program SPFIT. Developed interactive spectroscopy pedagogical materials using Mathematica and published these Demonstrations to the online Wolfram Demonstrations Project. http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/author.html?author=Whitney%20R.%20Hess Advisor: Dr. Lisa M. Goss

Laboratory instructor for Architecture of Matter (a lab for majors outside of the natural sciences), Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry I and II (based on POGIL), and Quantitative Analysis.

Method development and reaction optimization of α-fluorinated imine synthesis and subsequent diastereoselective reduction with trichlorosilane. Advisor: Dr. Todd A. Davis