• Revision and adaptation of existing hardware associated with Synchrotron and x-ray characterization techniques.
• Design, development, and fabrication of microscale systems; characterization of microfluidic phenomena, includingfchip based devices.
• Design and assembly of Ultra High Vacuum experimental chambers used for  electron spectroscopy studies.
• Design and development of Low-Temperature Cryostat to achieve temperature of 3 K, including low temperature fmaterials compatibility.

• Perform x-ray spectroscopy experiments in both nano-particulates and thin-film.
• Experience working with nanoparticles and hybrid nanocomposites.
• Experimental design, quality control, and optimization of current protocols.
• Attainment of experimental objectives by applying knowledge of material science and related technologies.
• Investigation feedback to producer of materials and evaluation for synthesis  optimization.
• Execution of chip-based microfluidic separations of biological samples, bacterial signature characterization, and
  determination of pre-concentration detection limits.
• Deposition of silver thin films, resistance measurements accomplished using the four probe method at lowf temperature.

• Extensive knowledge of ultra high vacuum components assembly.
• Familiarization with the following characterization techniques:  x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, light scattering, porosimetry, pcynometry, thermal gravimetric analysis, confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscope imaging.
• Information research, data analysis, and report writing.
• Assembly of mechanical components that compose the fluidic module used for protein characterization.
• Assembly, alignment, and calibration of miniaturized laser-induced fluorescence detector.
• Maintenance and inventory of optics and components associated with detector.
• Maintenance and overhaul of all vacuum components at Brookhaven National Laboratory National Synchrotron Light Source NSLS.  Beam lines assigned to the Electron Spectroscopy Group Physics Department were: U7-U9 and X-5.
• Maintenance of laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Control of laboratory safety and hazardous waste.

• B.E. Materials Science and Engineering
  SUNY Stony Brook, New York 2000
• A.A.S. Liberal Arts in Science
  Suffolk County Community College, New York 1996

Sr. Scientific Engineering Associate                       LAWRENCE BERELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY
2007-present                                                               Advance Light Source Scientific Support Group (SSG)

Responsibilities:   Beamline Scientist Associate MERLIN BL4.0.3

Custodian of the roll-up resonant X-ray scattering endstation, which is capable of studying the ordering phenomena in charge/spin/lattice and orbital degrees of freedom. Responsible for set-up and align the endstation to the beamline; support users for technical issue related to the endstation/beamline as well as experimental techniques. Beyond user support, also in charge of pre-experimental preparation work.  Support beamline scientist to develop the endstations using high-resolution soft X-ray emission spectrograph to perform momentum-resolved inelastic X-ray scattering. In addition to scientific/engineering duties engages with general users for crystalline sample characterization and preparation setup, including Laue diffraction, diamond blade cutting machine and polishing/lapping machine.  

Sr. Scientific Engineering Associate                        LAWRENCE BERELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY
2006-2007                                                                    Advance Light Source Scientific Support Group (SSG)

Responsibilities:    Beamline Scientist Associate BL6.3.1 & BL4.0.2

Coordinate user support facilitating mounting and demounting samples, assist with cryogenics when low temperature experiments are performed.  Trouble-shooting beamline and endstation when users experience difficulties during their experiments.  Manage several endstations that are used at BL 4.0.2 which requires the constant installation/removal of large and delicate scientific apparatus. Beyond user support, involved with evaluating potential users preliminary samples with the experimental techniques used in x- ray absorption spectroscopy as well as x ray magnetic circular dichroism. After evaluation experimental summaries are submitted in order to evaluate sample quality and suitability for experiments at ALS beamline 6.3.1.

Engineering Tech VI                                    SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES
2005-2006                                                     Nano-scale Science and Technology Department
                   

Project:                    Mesoporous silica nano-particles synthesis and characterization

Synthesis of extended m esoporous and nanosized silica structures via incorporation of cleavable surfactants to allow for the removal of the surfactant templates via thermal triggers.  Tasks include wet-chemistry synthesis, analysis by SEM and XRD, and surface area determination.

Engineering Tech VI                                                                              
2005-2006             

Project:                    Radiation Portal Monitor Project

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) maintains a presence at U.S. borders where they daily screen, examine, and interdict cargo in order to identify and eliminate contraband coming across the border.  The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has tasked Sandia National Laboratories to analyze data from these radiation portal monitors.  Contribution to this project included the following:  Gathering information on commodities classified as NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials), writing cargo reports for customs and border protection officers, metadata analysis, summary and cargo report writing.

Engineering Tech VI                                                                    
2004-2005                                                     Microsystems Engineering Department

Project:   Decomposition of contaminants using photochemically active nanoparticles

Tasks included planning and implementing laboratory operations to develop and optimize doped TiO2 nanoparticles and fulfill performance parameters, such as photocatalytic efficiency for decomposition of contaminants.  A UV-vis spectrophotometer was used as a characterization tool to measure the band-gap shift toward visible light.  Data collection and data analysis was conducted under the direction of scientists generating feedback for nanoparticle synthesis and optimization.

Engineering Tech VI                                                                            
2001-2004                                                                                                 

Project:     Microfluidic biodetection of proteins using laser-induced fluorescence

Engineering and technical support in adapting the current configuration of the microChemLabTM platform to detect bacterial protein signatures. This included preparing and running protein samples, collecting data, and developing new bio-detection methods.

Staff Engineer                                                               BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY 1999-2001                                                                               Electron Spectroscopy Group Physics Department

Project:     Epitaxial thin films grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Principally involved in the three major phases of the project: mounting and assembly of mechanical, electronic, and optical components for proper operation of the excimer laser; focusing and aligning the laser beam to acquire the proper deposition composition and energy profile; and depositing thin film materials, such as CaCu3Ti4O12 via PLD.

Engineering Technician                                                           
1994-1999                                                                                                             

Project:     Mobile structure and assembly of electron spectroscopy analyzer          

Gammadata SCIENTA ESCA200 Design and assembly of a strong mobile support frame with capacity of withstanding a total weight of 800lbs. This support frame included the ESCA200, an ultra high resolution electron spectroscopy analyzer, plus an experimental stainless steel chamber shielded with Mu (nickel-iron alloy) metal. My role in this project involved assisting with various mechanical aspects from CAD drawings, light machining of chamber and frame components to the final assembly, including mounting the ESCA200 to the support frame. After placing the ESCA200 to the support frame, it was then transported to the National Synchrotron Light Source for the initial experimental phase. The final mechanical set-up included beam height alignment, measuring the magnetic field inside the chamber, bake-out, and testing of all electronic components associated with vacuum measurement and analysis.

Student Aide/Internship                                                           
1991-1993  

                                                       
Project:     Sputtering deposition vacuum chamber for nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH)

This mid-range vacuum chamber was used to deposit multi-layered thin films consisting of palladium, niobium, and nickel. Task consisted in assembly of all vacuum components, deposition equipment, gas delivery manifold, and sample holder with capability of heating substrates to 150°C. After assembly, all electronic components associated with vacuum and deposition elements were tested and calibrated to the specific parameters that the films demanded. Studies of hydrogen intake capacity were conducted to aid in designing Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries (NiMH).

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

Combat Search and Rescue Loadmaster SSGT                            NEW YORK AIR NATIONAL GUARD U.S. AIR FORCE
1990-2000                                                                                             Combat Search and Rescue Loadmaster Section

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Application Software: Auto-Cad, Sigma-Plot, Origin, MathCad, LabView, and 2-D Thermal Analysis Kelvin.
Machine shop: light machining: drill press, lathe, milling, and band saw.