2013-Present - Independent Research Consultant
Expert consultant to
research team studying quantum dots as biochemical detectors in food
industry and water treatment. Provide cross-disciplinary
knowledge of biological processes and applications for a team of
physicists and chemists. Guide discussion and presentation of results
for clarity and understanding by a variety of science audiences.
- Currently contributing authorship on several publications
2009-2013 - Researcher - Rice University
Primary theoretician, data analyst, and programmer for the development of software to study
polymers and molecular tethers using Monte Carlo simulation. Designed and wrote Cython/Python software to perform polymer simulations, used statistical mechanics to interpret results, and developed a diffusion-like model of polymer configuration statistics for theoretical analysis.
- Wrote, debugged and tested several thousand lines of Cython
- Wrote and submitted grant proposals related to this research
- Authored and presented findings at national conferences for AIChE and APS
Primary researcher to develop an experimental process of continuous translation on circular RNA, with target applications in industrial protein production. Experimental molecular investigation used in vitro methods and an E. coli chassis to initiate continuous translation on cyclical mRNA molecules through RBS and ribosomal modifications. Analyzed data using Excel and custom scripting in Matlab and Python.
- Utilized aseptic and RNAse-free technique
- Designed precise nucleic acid sequences using RBS binding models
- Performed serial PCR with custom primers
- Analyzed and purified nucleic acids by gel electrophoresis
- Quantified DNA and protein by fluorescence and spectrophotometry
2006-2008 - Research Assistant - Rice University
Assisted metabolic
engineering research for biofuels production. Designed
experiments and assisted gene circuit design to optimize fermentative
processes in aerobic environments, and led a fundamental study of
plasmid stability in continuous-flow fermentation reactors.
- Measured fermentation products by HPLC
- Designed inducible gene circuits in bacteria
- Extensive use of benchtop fermentors
- Analyzed microbial populations by flow cytometry
Designed
portable power generation system for quick deployment to areas hit by
disasters,
utilizing microturbines and fuel cells running on syngas produced by
pyrolysis of woody debris material gathered at disaster site.
- Used HYSYS to model and optimize pyrolytic fluidized bed reactor
- Wrote analytics and optimization software in Matlab and Fortran
- Performed cost analysis of project and developed deployment plan
