Chicago, Illinois, United States
Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) Fellow
- Design and characterization of plasmonic nanoparticles for sensing applications - Synthesis and characterization of magnetic aerogels for energy storage and electrochemical applications - Development of a multispectral imaging apparatus that can achieve single particle resolution and establishment of an imaging analysis protocol - Training and mentoring of cadets in research projects related to materials chemistry
Advisors: Dr. Doo Young Kim and Dr. Dong-Sheng Yang Key Achievements: 1. Laser ablation in liquid I developed a laser ablation in liquid (LAL) method to produce various photoluminescent nanomaterials. This method allowed for improved control over phase and solubility with the advantages of faster production and purification times, use of fewer chemicals, and production of fewer by-products when compared to traditional methods. As the first group member to use this method, I also assisted other researchers in applying LAL to their own projects. 2. Carbon materials I explored LAL as an alternative approach to producing graphene quantum dots. Through systematic characterization and comparison with samples obtained by a traditional chemical synthesis, I examined the influence that LAL had on the overall structure and functional groups and applied this information to further tune the sample properties. 3. Upconversion I established a procedure to use LAL to convert bulk upconverting material from micro to nanoscale. I investigated the influence of laser fluence on the formation mechanism and final composition of the upconverting nanoparticles and studied the role that capping agent had on the photophysical properties. 4. Collaboration I contributed to several collaborative projects through measurements including singlet oxygen emission measurements and photoluminescent characterization of perovskite nanomaterials, and I participated in a single molecule fluorescence lifetime study of carbon dots. 5. Communication of research The results of this research have been published in 8 peer reviewed articles, and I have presented 3 talks and 7 posters related to LAL at various national and local conferences.
As a teaching assistant I supervised and led laboratory and recitation sections for various undergraduate chemistry courses. I maintained laboratory inventory, handled disposal of hazard waste produced during experiments, hosted office hours, and graded lab reports and exams. I also updated and revised the physical chemistry lab manual and assisted in the repair and calibration of several instruments. Finally, during the Spring 2020 semester, I assisted with converting the physical chemistry lab to an online format due to Covid-19 disruptions. Courses taught: Physical Chemistry Laboratory, CHE 441: Spring 2020, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2018 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory, CHE 422: October-December 2018 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, CHE 226: Fall 2015, Spring 2017 General College Chemistry I Recitation, CHE 105: Fall 2014 Guest lecturer: Intro Physical Chemistry, CHE 440G, Fall 2018 Substitute instructor for two lecture sections covering material on quantum chemistry Grader: Intro Physical Chemistry, CHE 440G: Fall 2019 Principles of Physical Chemistry I (Quantum Chemistry), CHE 547: Fall 2015
Advisor: Dr. Lyudmila Bronstein My primary responsibilities included the synthesis purification of iron oxide nanoparticles for two subprojects: 1. Magnetically recoverable catalysts featuring Ru, Pd, or Pt on a Fe2O3 nanoparticle support. 2. Au coated Fe2O3 nanoparticles for incorporation into virus like nanoparticles. During this research I applied various techniques including Schlenk line synthesis, FT-IR, and TGA. I also was responsible for training several undergraduate researchers and maintaining laboratory inventory and hazardous waste. The results of this research were published in 5 peer reviewed articles, and I presented a poster at the Fall 2013 ACS National Meeting.