Resume

• 2006

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  Dissertation Title: Highly Functionalized Piperidine Generation via Pyridine Repolarization and Hyper‐Distorted Allyl Complexes of {TpW(NO)(PMe3)}.\n\n

  American Chemical Society

  University of Virginia

  4.0/4.0

• 2001

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

  Chemistry

  Virginia Military Institute

  Overall: 3.91; Major: 4.0

• Physical Chemistry

  Surface Analysis

  Electrochemistry

  Electrochemical Characterization

  Electro-polymer Material Syntheis

  Photophysics

  Data Analysis

  UV/Vis

  Inorganic Chemistry

  Fluorescence Spectroscopy

  Organic Chemistry

  Materials Science

  Gas Chromatography

  Catalysis

  Spectroscopy

  UV/Vis Spectroscopy

  Chemistry

  Mass Spectrometry

  Electrocatalysis

  NMR

  Coordination Chemistry of Single-Site Catalyst Precursors in Reductively Electropolymerized Vinylbipyridine Films

  Thomas J. Meyer

  Joseph L. Templeton

  Manuel A. Mendez

  Robert A. Binstead

  Alexander M. Lapides

  I was listed on this publication for assisting Dr. Harrison with surface analysis of his polymer films.

  Coordination Chemistry of Single-Site Catalyst Precursors in Reductively Electropolymerized Vinylbipyridine Films

  Virginia Military Institute

  University of North Carolina

  University of Virginia

  Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine

  Chapel Hill

  North Carolina

  Renewable Energy Research as part of the UNC Energy Frontier Research Center: \"Solar Fuels\"\nI am synthesizing catalysts and developing methodologies for attachment of catalysts to electrode surfaces (primarily electropolymerization) for implementation into devices capable of fuel synthesis from common feed-stocks.\n\n- Operated as a CO2 Reduction Team member responsible for synthesis

  characterization

  and evaluation of organometallic complexes for their electrocatalytic ability to reduce CO2 to CO and other products to discover new electrocatalysts and gain fundamental mechanistic insights into electrocatalytic cycles. \n- Developed methodologies for attachment of known electro-catalysts to electrode surfaces (primarily electropolymerization) for implementation into devices capable of fuel synthesis from common feed-stocks.\n- Performed the H2O Oxidation Team member role responsible for design

  synthesis

  and evaluation of H2O and Cl- oxidation catalysts capable of electrocatalysis at Ru(IV)=O2+ to minimize reaction overpotentials. \n\nProject Management & Supervision\n- Served as a liaison to industrial external collaborators with the purpose of translating laboratory scale procedures to mid-level industrial scale platforms

  ultimately to be used to minimize dependence on foreign oil.\n- Supervised and mentored a graduate and an undergraduate student on independent projects.\n\nWritten & Oral Communication\n- Wrote grant proposals and was awarded funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). \n- Performed as a think-tank member for an Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) proposal.

  Post Doctoral Research Associate

  University of North Carolina

  Charlottesville

  Virginia

  Inorganic

  Organic

  and Organometallic Research\n- Identified and developed methodologies for making novel classes of small molecules for biological screening using an inorganic platform to facilitate transformations. These procedures changed how to think about these materials and lead to advances in research conducted by other lab members.\n- Developed methodologies for liberation and isolation of unconventional piperidines. Process was subsequently incorporated into standard laboratory procedures

  accelerating screening procedures and turnaround times for biological screening of new compounds.\n- Performed DFT calculations with Gaussian to provide a theoretical basis for the observed highly asymmetric structures of allyl complexes

  which presented themselves in crystal structures and NMR chemical shifts.\n\nTranslational Impact:\n- Initiated contact with the National Institutes of Health and worked to streamline procedures for transfer of new compounds to the NIH repository (MLSMR) for biological screening. This work led to the discovery of previously unknown biologically active compounds and strong support for grant renewal award.\n- Successfully translated laboratory procedures and compounds to a commercial supplier making the methodologies developed available to the common chemist (Sigma-Aldrich: product numbers 738530 and 738026) .\n\nLeadership / Laboratory Management\n- Effectively and concurrently mentored

  trained

  and directed the work of seven graduate and undergraduate student projects. \n- Graduate student departmental NMR technician: troubleshooter for three Varian spectrometers

  cleaned instruments

  refilled nitrogen

  and entrusted with instrument resets. Also

  trained new users to use the spectrometers

  to set up advanced (2D NMR and high/low temperature) experiments

  and to interpret the data. \n- Safety officer: acted as laboratory liaison with UVa Environmental Health and Safety department.

  Graduate Research Associate

  University of Virginia

  Richmond

  Virginia

  Developed a non-destructive method for identifying individual characteristics in transparent

  semi-transparent and white polyethylene film. Designed the database used by the FBI based on the distinguishing chemical and physical characteristics of polyethylene bags.\n\nI designed

  developed

  organized

  delivered

  and implemented a 1-week training seminar for the FBI in Quantico

  VA.

  Research Associate

  Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine

  Lexington

  Virginia

  My renewable energy research efforts focus on utilizing electrochemical methods to analyze inorganic molecules that students synthesize

  in order to determine their ability to reduce CO2 to usable fuels using the process of artificial photosynthesis. Developing a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of operation for these molecules and new electropolymerization techniques to understand the impact on electrocatalysts resulting from restricting electrocatalysts to an electrode interface are central to these efforts. \n\nResponsibilities include (but are not limited to): \n- Training undergraduates in laboratory synthetic

  spectroscopic

  and analytical techniques to prepare them for the job market or graduate studies.\n- Leading departmental initiatives and serving on institutional committees. \n- Designing and redesigning courses

  laboratories

  and experiments to enhance student and faculty educational experiences. \n\n\nSpecialties: Materials Analysis

  Physical Chemistry

  Quantum Mechanical Calculations

  Photo-physical Chemistry

  Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry

  Electrochemistry

  Crystallography

  Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry

  Virginia Military Institute

  Virginia Military Institute