Independent

Chemistry Tutor

Tutored 12 separate students in one-on-one meetings over 2 years in general chemistry and organic chemistry.

Ithaca College, Chemistry Department

Lecturer

Currently, I am teaching Organic Chemistry 1 (first semester of OChem) to a small class of non-majors. I am enjoying the challenge of explaining the importance of organic chemistry to the next generation of science and health professionals. Hopefully, making it interesting and accessible in the process. The language of chemistry is so important to convey, as it has so many impacts on our lives.

In the Fall 2015 semester I taught two section of Experimental Chemistry 2, a second semester organic chemistry lab course. I supervised 30 students overall, teaching the fundamentals of laboratory techniques and how to apply organic chemistry concepts to experimental procedures.

Ecolectro, Inc.

Chief Scientific Officer

We are developing a family of polymer electrolyte scaffolds that can potentially change the direction of fuel cell technology. Fuel cells are a way to harness the energy stored in chemical bonds to do useful work that can be used to power our lives. The advancement of fuel cells has been hindered due to lack of component materials that are up to the task. That is where we come in. Our polymer membranes are an important component that can lower the cost of the devices, while maintaining durability and performance.

Other generations of our materials have useful applications in electrolyzers and water purification and we are continuing to explore these new and exciting fields.

Wolfe Laboratories, Inc.

Scientist II

Operated as an analytical chemist in a start-up CRO by conducting research related to drug development on 15+ active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), including: pre-formulation, formulation and solid state characterization. Developed highly robust HPLC analytical methods for 10+ APIs and qualified them according to GLP standards. Conducted solid state and formulation stability studies under a variety of temperature, pH and humidity conditions. Additional work included compatibility studies of drugs with packaging and drug release profiles. Assisted in discovery formulation work by conducting protein extractions from animal tissues (solid and liquid/liquid) and analyzing PK/ADME samples by LC-MS-MS.

Presented research findings to supervisors and clients via written and oral form on a weekly basis. Led teleconferences with clients to discuss progress on research proposals. Authored 15+ comprehensive reports on work conducted on behalf of clients. Gave internal presentations on theory and practice of several analytical techniques, including: XRPD, DSC, TGA, LogP and ELISA techniques. Supported the implementation of a GXP program by writing SOPs, designing data calculation templates and conducting training sessions to ensure employee compliance. Developed managerial skills by training new employees and supervision of daily lab work.

Cornell University, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Graduate Research Assistant

Polymers with cationic moieties appended to the backbone are currently investigated as Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes (AAEMs) for fuel cells. To be competitive with alternative polymer electrolytes, the membranes must have high hydroxide conductivity (≥ 1 S/cm at 60 °C) and remain intact (polymer backbone and cationic group) in the presence of hydroxide ion at elevated temperatures (1-15M KOH, 22-80 °C). I am synthesizing a new class of cationic groups that are highly resistant to degradation under basic conditions. A new method for assessing the base stability of cationic model compounds is being developed that will serve as a standard for the field discovering new compounds for this and similar applications. I am systematically screening new cationic model compounds to elucidate the compounds that are the best candidates for base stable and conductive polymers. Finally, high concentrations of these cationic moieties will be incorporated into hydrocarbon-based polymers in a controlled fashion and the polymers will be assessed for ion conductivity, stability, and mechanical properties.

Ithaca Youth Bureau

I mentored a middle school student for approximately 2 hours a week in Ithaca, NY. I planned a variety of activities for us to do together that included a combination of her interests and my interests. Some examples of our activities include: visiting museums, cooking together, volunteering at races, taking a sewing class, apple picking, learning to knit, playing board games and card games and attending cultural fairs and community festivals. My goal was to introduce her to new activities that would not otherwise be accessible to her. It was an extraordinary experience that I truly valued.

Phosphonium-​Functionalized Polyethylene: A New Class of Base-​Stable Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes

Journal of the American Chemical Society

A tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium cation was evaluated as a functional group for alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs). The base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ was directly compared to that of [BnNMe3]+ in 1 M NaOD/CD3OD. The high base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ relative to [BnNMe3]+ inspired the preparation of AAEM materials composed of phosphonium units attached to polyethylene. The AAEMs (hydroxide conductivity of 22 ± 1 mS cm–1 at 22 °C) were prepared using ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and their stabilities were evaluated in 15 M KOH at 22 °C and in 1 M KOH at 80 °C.

Phosphonium-​Functionalized Polyethylene: A New Class of Base-​Stable Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes

Journal of the American Chemical Society

A tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium cation was evaluated as a functional group for alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs). The base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ was directly compared to that of [BnNMe3]+ in 1 M NaOD/CD3OD. The high base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ relative to [BnNMe3]+ inspired the preparation of AAEM materials composed of phosphonium units attached to polyethylene. The AAEMs (hydroxide conductivity of 22 ± 1 mS cm–1 at 22 °C) were prepared using ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and their stabilities were evaluated in 15 M KOH at 22 °C and in 1 M KOH at 80 °C.

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of a prospective alkaline anion exchange membrane material for fuel cells: anion exchange dynamics and membrane swelling

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Phosphonium-​Functionalized Polyethylene: A New Class of Base-​Stable Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes

Journal of the American Chemical Society

A tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium cation was evaluated as a functional group for alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs). The base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ was directly compared to that of [BnNMe3]+ in 1 M NaOD/CD3OD. The high base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ relative to [BnNMe3]+ inspired the preparation of AAEM materials composed of phosphonium units attached to polyethylene. The AAEMs (hydroxide conductivity of 22 ± 1 mS cm–1 at 22 °C) were prepared using ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and their stabilities were evaluated in 15 M KOH at 22 °C and in 1 M KOH at 80 °C.

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of a prospective alkaline anion exchange membrane material for fuel cells: anion exchange dynamics and membrane swelling

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Imidazolium Cations with Exceptional Alkaline Stability: A Systematic Study of Structure–Stability Relationships

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Highly base-stable cationic moieties are a critical component of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in alkaline fuel cells (AFCs); however, the commonly employed organic cations have limited alkaline stability. To address this problem, we synthesized and characterized the stability of a series of imidazolium cations in 1, 2, or 5 M KOH/CD3OH at 80 °C, systematically evaluating the impact of substitution on chemical stability. The substituent identity at each position of the imidazolium ring has a dramatic effect on the overall cation stability. We report imidazolium cations that have the highest alkaline stabilities reported to date, >99% cation remaining after 30 days in 5 M KOH/CD3OH at 80 °C.

Phosphonium-​Functionalized Polyethylene: A New Class of Base-​Stable Alkaline Anion Exchange Membranes

Journal of the American Chemical Society

A tetrakis(dialkylamino)phosphonium cation was evaluated as a functional group for alkaline anion exchange membranes (AAEMs). The base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ was directly compared to that of [BnNMe3]+ in 1 M NaOD/CD3OD. The high base stability of [P(N(Me)Cy)4]+ relative to [BnNMe3]+ inspired the preparation of AAEM materials composed of phosphonium units attached to polyethylene. The AAEMs (hydroxide conductivity of 22 ± 1 mS cm–1 at 22 °C) were prepared using ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and their stabilities were evaluated in 15 M KOH at 22 °C and in 1 M KOH at 80 °C.

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of a prospective alkaline anion exchange membrane material for fuel cells: anion exchange dynamics and membrane swelling

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Imidazolium Cations with Exceptional Alkaline Stability: A Systematic Study of Structure–Stability Relationships

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Highly base-stable cationic moieties are a critical component of anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in alkaline fuel cells (AFCs); however, the commonly employed organic cations have limited alkaline stability. To address this problem, we synthesized and characterized the stability of a series of imidazolium cations in 1, 2, or 5 M KOH/CD3OH at 80 °C, systematically evaluating the impact of substitution on chemical stability. The substituent identity at each position of the imidazolium ring has a dramatic effect on the overall cation stability. We report imidazolium cations that have the highest alkaline stabilities reported to date, >99% cation remaining after 30 days in 5 M KOH/CD3OH at 80 °C.