Jupiter, Florida, United States
At Quinnipiac University, I taught three sections of freshman chemistry labs per semester (about 50 students in total per semester). Over the course of a year, the students performed 25 laboratory experiments, including formation of a metal oxide, titrations (acid-base and oxidation-reduction), gas law, calorimetry, spectroscopy (UV-VIS), kinetics, colligative properties, solubility and solubility products. The students acquired the data at the lab and then submitted an approximate 5-page report one week later (Including data tables, calculations, summary of results, and conclusions). The students acquired lab skills, and learned how to turn data into results via the written report. The Vernier data acquisition hardware and software were used in the lab. Blackboard Learn was used for grading and communication.
At PerkinElmer I was a member of a product development team of scientists and engineers. I performed extensive product testing and troubleshooting on a new line of atomic absorption spectrometers. Reported results to fellow team members in both Shelton CT and Singapore. Helped initiate, implement and test software and hardware refinements which led to improved product performance. Solved problems proactively and seeked out the root causes of performance failures. Project ended, in December 2011, upon the successful launch of the PinAAcle 900 series of atomic spectrometers manufactured in Singapore.
At CAES, my interests focused on the study of the amounts and movements of metals in the environment. I was particularly active on work on the environmental effects on the use of wood preservatives containing copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA), including, the amounts of arsenic dislodged from the wood surface, the amounts of arsenic in soils around CCA wood structures, plant uptake of arsenic, and the use of coatings to minimize arsenic migration from the wood. In addition, I conducted studies on lead and other heavy metals on a wide range of materials, including garden soils, compost, plant material, maple syrup, grapefruit juice, and deer livers. I was also involved in the analysis of feeds and fertilizers conducted on behalf of the CT Department of Agriculture to confirm label guarantees, and on the lead content of toys and solders in support of activities by the CT Department of Consumer Protection.