Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering
Cumulative GPA: 3.96/4.00

B.S. Composite Materials Engineering
B.S. Mathematics
Cumulative GPA: 3.93/4.00

• Play a leading role in research projects: modified thermoplastic elastomers, high temperature thermoset resins, and synchrotron studies of lead-free solders
• Responsible for training graduate and undergraduate students in lab safety & equipment operation
• Compose research proposals & articles for publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Invited to the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, by ChemMatCARS for 2 weeks to assist setup and oversight of user experiments

• Studied thermodynamic properties, rheology, & mechanical response of polymers including block copolymers, hybrid polymers, and silicate-filled polymers
• Lead laboratory safety representative for 2 laboratories
• General User Research, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Lab, IL
  • Travel to the APS 16 times for a period of 4 to 7 days each
  • Responsible for planning, performing, & analyzing small-angle x-ray scattering and high energy x-ray experiments for research
• Accomplishments: Outstanding Graduate Award in Materials Science and Engineering for 2006 – 2007, lead author of two publications in the #1 most cited journal in polymer science, Macromolecules, finalist for the ICI Student Award in Applied Polymer Science

• Present daily lesson plans to three sections of 30 students each per semester
• Subject material: MS Word, Excel, Access, HTML, Macromedia Dreamweaver
• Lecture and one-on-one involvement with students
• Accomplishments: Staff Member of the Week, received 3.85/4.0 on Student Instructional Rating System

Teaching Assistant, MSE 451: Microscopic and Diffraction Analysis of Materials, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University

• Instruct theory, operation, and safety for x-ray diffractometers, SEM, and TEM

• Assist in managing and troubleshooting a nation-wide PC network
• Upgrade and troubleshoot software and hardware for terminals, PCs, and servers
• Create, maintain, and troubleshoot user profiles for employees

• Personal time management and prioritization of tasks
• Teamwork and cooperation with large centralized projects
• Mastered operation and troubleshooting of many different types of large and small machinery

• Strong understanding of scientific/engineering concepts covering theory, experiment, and application
  • Thermodynamics, structure-property relationships, mechanics, rheology, & manufacturing
  • Broad range of materials studied: polymers, composites, metals, ceramics, & nanomaterials
• Mathematical knowledge facilitates a deeper understanding of science, engineering, & economics
  • Probability & statistics, design of experiments (DOE), numerical analysis and computational methods…
• Able to research, develop, perform, troubleshoot, & analyze a wide range of experiments
  • DSC, TGA, DMA, rheology, XRD, SAXS, SEM, TEM, tensile, compression, strain gage analysis, short beam shear, in-plane shear, fatigue, three-point flex, & Izod/Charpy impact…
• Strong, detailed knowledge of computers: software and hardware
• Strong written, communication, and interpersonal skills
  • Received a score of 3.85/4.0 on most recent Student Instructional Rating for CSE 101 (MSU)
  • Lead author of 2 publications in the #1 most cited journal in polymer science, Macromolecules
• Excellent work ethic, independently motivated, and great time management
  • Double majored in 4 yrs. with 3.93 GPA while manager and member of the WSU college bowling team, and holding a part time job (20 hours/week)
• Able to organize and present data in a variety of media forms including MS PowerPoint

• Outstanding Graduate Award in Materials Science and Engineering for 2006 – 2007 - MSU
• Finalist for the ICI Student Award in Applied Polymer Science – American Chemical Society, 2006
• Selected to attend National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering – Argonne National Laboratory, 2004
• Staff Member of the Week – Lead TA for CSE 101, nominated by CSE 101 Staff , 2002

• Scholarships and Fellowships
  • 2006 Summer Retention Fellowship (MSU)
  • Cytec/Fibrite Scholarship (WSU 4 years)
  • Winona Women’s Bowling Association Scholarship (WSU)
  • Minnesota Dept. of Children, Families, and Learning Scholarship (WSU, Mathematics)
  • Fred and Sandy Olson Scholarship (WSU, Mathematics)

• Additional Points
  • Created a theory and formulae for calculating the average of a bowling score for a 10 frame game for either independent or dependent probabilities, with and without limiting 2nd ball possibilities
  • Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam with a score of 91
  • Scored 800 (of 800) in Quantitative/Mathematical sections on GRE and SAT
  • Scored 36 (of 36) in Math on ACT

• Research
• Bowling
• Photography