Research Assistant
Gas-Phase Ion Chemistry, Excited State Ions
University of Central Arkansas (2006-2009)

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Measure kinetics (rate constants) and product distributions for gas-phase bimolecular reactions.
• Theoretically model experimental reaction pathways using potential energy surfaces generated with computational electron-structure theory calculations including transition states and stable intermediates.
• Design and construct novel electrospray ionization source with ion funnel for the Flowing Afterglow – Selected Ion Flow Tube (FA-SIFT) mass spectrometer to measure fundamental properties of biological molecules.
• Construct RF-BALUN to superimpose two RF potentials, one half out of phase.
• Modify electron ionization (EI) source and employ gas-phase ion synthesis to generate novel reagent ions.
• Measure electron binding energies of anions using photoelectron spectroscopy. Intersect argon-ion laser with negative ion beam a hemispherical analyzer for measuring kinetic energy of ejected electrons.
• Extrapolate bond dissociation energies by combining experimental measurements of gas-phase acidities and anion electron binding energies using thermochemical cycle analysis.
• Maintain dynamic vacuum system composed of eight different pressure regions utilizing five diffusion pumps, two roots-blower pumps, seven belt-drive rough pumps, two direct-drive pumps, and scroll pumps.
• Publish thirteen manuscripts, five of which are first author publications.
• Deliver 14 public presentations, seven were oral. Give bimonthly oral presentations at ion chemistry group.

Research Associate and Teaching Assistant
Gas-Phase Kinetics and Thermodynamics
University of Colorado, Boulder; JILA (2010-2016)

Academic Postdoctoral Scholar
Metabolomics, Ion Mobility Spectrometry
Vanderbilt Univesrity (2016-2018)

• Develop untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics workflows using liquid chromatography – ion mobility spectrometry – mass spectrometry.
• Developed Collision Cross Section databases for feature identification in untargeted experiments.
• Characterize the performance of stepped-field (first-principles) and single-field (calibrated) drift tube ion mobility spectrometer at multiple pressure settings and drift potentials.
• Mentor seven graduate students and worked on applied and fundamental investigations in ion mobility.
• Publish three peer-reviewed manuscripts, present at five conferences with two oral presentations.
• Visit Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to learn Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation (SLIM).
(Agilent 6560 image credit: doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-1410-5_2)

Industry Postdoctoral Scholar
R&D Chemist, Mass Spec. Division
Agilent Technologies (2018-2019)

• Improve pumping of electrospray ionization source to improve ion current measurement statistics.
• Develop novel ion funnel design for the improved transmission of ions into the mass analyzer.
• Characterize limit of detection and limit of quantitation for over 30 LC-MS/MS systems.
• Validated HPLC-MS/MS hardware, firmware, electrical, and software modifications ensuring performance.
• Developed LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of over three hundred pesticides within a single assay.
• Validate electronic supplies for superimposing DC and RF potentials and fast polarity switching.
• Incorporate software pause time in data acquisition to ensure precise and reproducible measurements.

Field Application Scientist
HPLC and LC-MS/MS
PerkinElmer (2021-2023)

• Support and develop proteomics assays for the clinical diagnostics of lung cancer and lung related diseases.
• Design high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry laboratory for cancer diagnostics in De Soto, KS including power requirements, dry nitrogen supply (120,000 L/hour), ventilation, air conditioning, and solvent waste management.
• Execute validation experiments for clinical laboratory hardware and LIMS system in De Soto, KS.
• Decommission BSL2 laboratory in Seattle, WA and relocate all hardware to De Soto, KS.
• Hire, train and support laboratory personnel (15 technicians) in De Soto, Kansas.
• Execute three-day commercial proteomics assay for protein depletion, digestion, solid-phase extraction, and LC-MS/MS analysis of clinical samples classifying lung nodules (~150 samples/week).
• Executed Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Time of Flight (TOF) assay to investigate severity of disease in patients diagnosed with lung cancer (~120 samples/week).
• Develop dried blood spot collection device that was put into commercial, clinical operations. The medical device reduced the cost of proteomics assays by eliminating cold sample storage requirements and the use of a centrifuge to generate blood serum by separating hemoglobin.
• Develop semi-targeted lipidomics assay for dried blood spots.
• Support Quality protocols for regulatory compliance with CAP, CLIA, ISO, and state clinical accreditation.

Scientist, Proteomics Technologies
Molecular Diagnostics
Biodesix (2019-2021)

• Operate home-built Glow Discharge – Drift Cell – Mass Spectrometer to study reactions of ground and excited state metal ions to explore ion energetics and product distributions.
• Separate metal ions by electronic state (ground and excited) using electronic state chromatography.
• Correlate product distributions to respective electronic state metal ion. Model reaction dynamics using electronic structure theory.
• Modify ion source with drift chamber to generate organo-metallic reagent ions.
• Present research at local and national conferences and author one peer-reviewed manuscript.

• Support technical operations for ~22 accounts including method development and troubleshooting.
• Train over 40 customers to prepare samples, acquire data, analyze data, troubleshoot equipment, and maintain equipment including front-end cleaning for HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and LCMS (Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry) experiments.
• Provide technical demonstrations of HPLC and LCMS software and hardware to generate sales.
• Support various industries including: Diagnostics, Environmental, Food, Nutraceutical, and Pharmaceutical.
• Generate application notes for marketing by developing seven HPLC and LCMS methods.
• Entry-level training for instrumentation including: TGA (thermal-gravimetric analysis), FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-MS), GCMS (Gas Chromatography-MS).
• Complete installation of four HPLC-MS/MS systems and five HPLC-DAD (diode array detector), RI (refractive index detector), and Fluorescence detector systems.
• Complete field-service repair requests for over a dozen commercial instruments.
• Tune ion transmission by optimizing ion optics, calibrating mass analyzers, troubleshooting detectors.
• Nurture customer relationships to ensure satisfaction, positive testimonials, and generate repeat sales.
• Provide oral presentations at employer sponsored symposiums at 17 venues. Attend conferences for lead generation.

SKILLS

• Leadership • Training • Laboratory Design • Product Development • Method Development • Electronics • Chemistry • Life Science
• Diagnostics • Program Management • Salesforce • Proteomics • Metabolomics • Lipidomics • Biomarker Discovery • Metabolite Databases
• MALDI-TOF • LCMS • Quadrupoles • TOF • Ion Traps • Liquid Chromatography • Size Exclusion Chromatography • Gas Chromatography
• Derivatization reactions • Installation (IQ/OQ/PQ) • Service Repair • Customer Management • ICMPS • FTIR • Protein Depletion • Protein Digestion • GLP • Quality Control • Spectroscopy • Vacuum Systems/Chambers • Swageok • Vacuum Gauges • Materials Characterization
• UV-VIS • Fluorescence • DAD • Evaporative Light Scattering Detectors • Refractive Index Detectors • Fraction Collectors • Biochemistry
• Computational Chemistry • Electronic Structure Theory • Microsoft Office • PCR • Biotechnology • Instrument design • Public Speaking
• Ion Mobility Spectrometry • Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulation • Drift Tubes • Traveling Wave Ion Mobility • Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry • Sample Prep • Solubility • Derivatization Reactions • Laboratory Automation • SOP writing • Soldering • Electrician work

PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Complete all electrical work at my home including wiring and finishing unfinished basement. Added 11 circuits including two 50 Amp-240 V, one 30 Amp-240 V; 13 light switches; 28 additional outlets; 18 additional light fixtures; all other light fixtures, outlets, and switches replaced; All work permitted by the city of Lafayette following 2020 National Electric Code.

Amateur Electrician

Audio and Music Equipment Technician

Repairman of vintage audio amplification equipment including completely replacing all electrolytic capacitors in three vintage stereo receivers, recapping speaker cross-overs, repairing two stereo receivers with one blown channel, restoring turn-table, sourcing and replacing vintage speaker drivers, restoring 50s era tube radio. Technician, designer, and builder of eleven guitar pedals; builder of three guitar amplifiers (AA764, 5E3 and 5F1 circuits); builder of two guitars; replaced dozens of electric guitar pickups. Consistently purchasing broken music equipment for restoration including repairing an Akai MPC 2000XL sampler. With the combined experience listed above I have well over 200 hours of experience with soldering sensitive electronics equipment, following electrical schematics, and using best-practices for proper electronics grounding.

DIY Enthusiast

Complete home remodel ‘fixer upper’. Installation of all major appliances. Complete minor plumbing work. Remove popcorn ceilings. Replace flooring and trim throughout entire home. Finish basement including adding an additional bathroom, bedroom, and two closets. Reroute duct work to avoid low ceilings in main room of basement. Remodel kitchen adding undercabinet lighting. I am proficient and well stocked with tools. Repaint entire home. Hang seven doors throughout home. Build three garden beds, two standing, one wicking. Replace deck. Repair garage door. Tear down wall to widen kitchen entrance, complete with drywall repair.

APPLICATIONS/METHODS SUPPORTED

• Untargeted Metabolomics/Lipidomics • Targeted Proteomics • Blood Collection Devices • Blood-based Proteomics tests for Lung Cancer
• Protein Depletion of Serum • Veterinary Drug Residues in Meat • Kinetic Method for Gas-Phase Acidity Measurements • Electronic State-Specific Metal-Ion/Neutral Reactions • FA-SIFT for Gas-Phase Kinetics and Thermodynamics • Pesticides in Tea/Food • Endocannabinoids in Blood Serum • Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins in Food Stuffs • Amino Acids in Food and Cell Culture • Beverage Additives in Beer, Wort, and Nonalcoholic Drinks • Carotenoids in Produce • Chlorophyll in Water/Algae/Food • Flavones in Juice • PFAS in Water/Tissue • Methylimidazole in Caramel Coloring • Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Environmental Samples • Psilocybin in Mushrooms • Sugars in Beer, Syrup, and Wort • Tocopherols in Food and Nutraceuticals • Quantitation of API

EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE & OUTREACH

• Guest Lecturer: Advanced Analytical Omics, CHEM 6150, Vanderbilt University • Guest Lecture: Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, CHEM 3120, Vanderbilt University • Guest Lecturer: Analytical Mass Spectrometry, CHEM 5140, Vanderbilt University • Recipient: Postdoctoral Career Development Award ($15k stipend), American Society for Mass Spectrometry; 2017 • Attendee: 33rd Annual High School/University Chemistry Teachers’ Conference • Volunteer: CU Wizards, “The Magic of Chemistry” • Manager: Chemical Inventory, Over 800 Chemicals, Bierbaum Lab • Volunteer: Boulder Valley School District Science Fair; Head Judge • Recipient: Richard A. Schaeffer Memorial Travel Grant (2012) • Recipient: Outstanding Student Award – Central Arkansas Chapter of the ACS (2008) • President: University of Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Chemical Society • Volunteer: Chemistry Tutor, University of Central Arkansas