State College, Pennsylvania, United States
My professional work in Analytical Chemistry grows out of a lifelong fascination with how scientific and technological knowledge continues to expand rapidly and is a powerful force for improving our lives, our society and our economy. Through a variety of educational and work situations I have developed broad expertise in analytical-instrumentation, chemometric data analysis and complex-materials characterization. Vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR, NIR & Raman) and Chemometrics are my strongest sub-specialties, and I have significant application-specific knowledge in the materials-research, food, fiber/energy, agricultural and environmental-resources sectors. I am interested in continuing to utilize and develop my analytical expertise for challenging R&D problems or opportunities in these sectors or in new ones. Specialties: Spectroscopy (FTIR, NIR, Raman, …), Chemometrics, Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Microscopy (AFM, TEM, …), Lab Automation (robot, FIA, …), Computer Software (MATLAB™, visual BASIC, CAD, mobile forms), Calorimetry, Diffraction Methods (XRD, electron), Particle and Surface Characterization, Fiber Analysis, Synthesis and Modification of Materials, Molecular and Solids Modeling, Geospatial Technologies
A faculty position focused on development and application of analytical methods for crop and soil quality evaluation. The first three years included management of the Crop Quality Lab, a services laboratory available to the faculty and students in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Development and evaluation of quality measurement methods for food and fiber products and agricultural materials by use of chemometrics, vibrational spectroscopy, imaging, and analytical instrumentation, with emphasis on nondestructive in situ analyses. Supervisor: Franklin E. Barton, II., Ph.D.
Research on interfacial nucleation and habit-modified synthetic minerals using chemically modified planar surfaces and scanning probe microscopy. Supervisor: Bruce P. Gaber, Ph.D.
Research using optical microscopy, electron microscopy and molecular modeling for studies of molecular self-assembly of sphingolipids into suspensions of high aspect-ratio microstructures, and use of lipid-microstructures as templates for synthesis of mineral microstructures. Supervisor: Stephen Mann, D. Phil., FRS
Analytical chemistry technician performing reflectance FT-IR and TGA measurements. Supervisor: Roy J. Gritter, Ph.D.