R&D Materials Engineer Co-op / June, 2025 — December, 2025

Formulated a new non-toxic plasticizer for ceramic systems enhancing product safety and regulatory compliance. Assembled and tested materials at both laboratory and pilot scales; characterized mechanical and electrical properties, analyzed mass and thermal behavior using TGA and DSC and resolved a range of materials-related technical challenges. Collaborated with materials scientists design engineers and safety managers to translate R&D findings into scalable product specifications supporting early-stage product strategy and commercialization readiness. Designed and integrated custom O-sensing and MFC systems into high-temperature tube furnaces achieving precise atmosphere control reducing oxidation defects and improving product reliability for scale-up trials. Collaborated with international scientists and engineers to set up a huge graphite furnace for pilot manufacture. Upgraded in-situ high-temperature test platforms to monitor resistivity voltage pressure and gas composition enhancing diagnostics and accelerating design iteration cycles. Led end-to-end setup of materials testing laboratory including procurement and installation of optical microscopy, polishing systems and furnaces enabling high-throughput validation and improved workflow efficiency. Developed electrical resistivity testing protocols and custom mechanical testing setups for quantitative product screening supporting cross-functional use across materials design and QC teams.

Ph.D Researcher / August, 2020 — May, 2026

Optimized solute distribution in LPBF-printed CuCr alloys via rapid directional solidification showing that trace Zr additions reduce Cr microsegregation and enhance conductivityperformance balance. Validated findings through Thermo-Calc simulations and experiments (SEM XRD TOF-SIMS KPFM ICP-AES) confirming improvements in solute purity and microstructure control. Designed and fabricated highly porous structures via binder jet printing followed by muffle-furnace sintering, employing space-holder strategies to maximize surface area while maintaining mechanical integrity; quantified porosity using gas pycnometer. Monitored real-time densification using in-situ synchrotron -XCT to optimize porosity and processing parameters. Designed and built a custom binder jetting printer using SolidWorks G-code and Python-integrated Xaar DOD printhead for tunable droplet control. Optimized printing parameters and analyzed binderpowder interactions via high-speed imaging correlating droplet behavior with deposition outcomes. Fabricated AlAlN coreshell composites via binder jetting nitridation and tube-furnace sintering; systematically investigated binder chemistry particle size distribution and surface modifications to enhance densification. Nitridation extent was quantified using LECO elemental analysis.

Master Researcher / September, 2018 — January, 2020

Performed thermal simulations in ANSYS Workbench and developed theoretical models using ARL ParaPower to evaluate composite PCM performance in complex thermal environments. Investigated heat transfer of water microdroplets on 3D-printed silicon micropillar arrays using Multiphysics simulations SOLIDWORKS designs and custom experimental manifolds to analyze phase-change evaporation and dropletgeometry interactions.

Organic Chemistry Scientist Internship / August, 2017 — May, 2018

Synthesized and optimized rigid coplanar polymers with torsion-free backbones achieving enhanced n-type thermoelectric stability electron mobility and air-stable N-doping efficiency; improved polymerization workflows resulting in a 40% increase in device performance consistency and improved batch-to-batch uniformity. Characterization was performed using AAS UVVisNIR spectroscopy and NMR.

Polymer Scientist Internship / May, 2017 — August, 2017

Engineered Nylon 66 compounds using advanced polymer blending and reinforcement strategies to enhance mechanical strength thermal stability and processing efficiency; optimized flowability and moldability for injection molding and extrusion enabling scalable high-performance industrial applications.

Undergraduate Researcher / September, 2015 — May, 2018

Developed MXD6EGCNT composites via melt blending optimizing filler content and EGCNT network formation to enhance thermalelectrical conductivity and achieve up to 50 dB EMI shielding effectiveness.