Engineer Assistant

ZENGMIN XIA

?Address: ** N. Eagleville Rd U-**** Storrs, CT 06269

?********@*****.*** ?Cell: 860-***-****

Self-motivated, solution and detail-oriented Materials Scientist/Engineer

with 10 years hands-on experience in Materials Science/Chemical

Engineering:

Unique mix of professional expertise includes:

? Polymer/ceramic synthesis and characterization ?

Rheological and mechanical property

. Surface modification

? Tissue engineering

QUALIFICATIONS

. Extensive ceramic and polymer synthesis experience: synthesized

nanoparticle reinforced polymer matrix with superior mechanical strength

that can greatly shorten bone healing time; developed a novel surface

treatment approach and a coating technique that significantly improved

the surface activity of Ti alloy.

. Solid knowledge and hands-on skills of characterization: FTIR, Raman,

DLS, ICP, NMR, GPC, HPLC, DSC, TGA, DMA, BET, TEM, SEM, XRD, Rheometer,

Fluorescence spectroscopy.

. Proficient in product prototype development from concept to design and to

process validation.

. Excellent computer skills: ASPEN PLUS, PRO II, AUTOCAD, PHOTOSHOP, IMAGE

J

. Proven productive researcher (15 publications, 1 patent, 1 book chapter,

15 conference presentations), a mentor (advised 12 undergraduates and 1

technician) and a passionate team player.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Materials Science, University of Connecticut, USA

Anticipated completion: 10/2013

M.S. Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

06/2007

B. S. Chemical Engineering (with Minor in English), Zhejiang University,

China 07/2004

EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant, University of Connecticut, USA 01/2008-present

. Surface modification: Simplified method to effectively increase Ti6Al4V

surface energy by UV irradiation and acid/alkaline treatment.

. Coating on Ti alloy: Developed novel coating technique to prepare polymer-

ceramic composite coating with improved bonding strength onto Ti alloy,

and examined the nucleation/crystal growth mechanism.

. Nanoparticles: Synthesized La3+ and Sr2+ incorporated apatite

nanoparticles using wet synthesis and ion exchange methods and tailored

the particle sizes and crystallinity.

. Polymer-ceramic composites: Improved the mechanical property of polymer-

ceramic composites by controlling the composition, rheological behavior

and pore structure of hydrogels.

. Sustainable drug release: Investigated the drug release behavior in

polymer/ceramic scaffolds.

. Cell culture: Evaluated cell proliferation and differentiation levels on

2-D substrate and 3-D matrix.

I-Corps Entrepreneurial Lead, National Science Foundation, USA

06/2012-08/2012

. Market analysis: Presented investigations with interactions with 100+

potential customers.

. Business model: Developed a business model to commercialize a polymer-

ceramic scaffold.

Technical consultant, Teleflex Medical, USA

1/2010-12/2010

. Scale-up study: Worked on proof-of-concept study and preliminary scale-

up study of a coating technology on Ti alloy.

. Technical service: Provided technical service and professional training

to technicians.

Process simulation engineer, Invensys Process Systems, China

6/2007-1/2008

. Process simulation: Conducted process simulation and design of reactors

with kinetic reaction.

. Process control: Conducted process optimization and process control.

Research Assistant, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China

09/2004-06/2007

. Core-shell nanoparticles: Synthesized nano SiO2 with a novel egg-shell

structure and tunable pore size.

. Nanocatalysts: Developed and evaluated nanocatalysts for selective

hydrogenation of acetylene.

Research Assistant, University of Oxford, UK

06/2006-09/2006

. Nanocatalysts: Developed and evaluated of a nickel catalyst for methane

dry reforming.

Research Assistant, Zhejiang University, China 12/2003-07/2004

. Nanofilm: Designed and fabricated a super hydrophilic surface by doping

Fe3+ into TiO2 coating

HONORS

. Travel Scholarship, Micro- and Nanotechnologies in Medicine Workshop, NSF

2013

. Finalist of Woman of Innovation in Collegian Innovation and Leadership,

Connecticut 2013

. Best Poster Award, Symposium, Materials Research Society Fall Meeting

2012

. Graduate School Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Connecticut

2011, 2012

. ASM Hartford Sponsored Graduate Student Speaking Contest, 3nd place

2011

. Outstanding Graduate Student, Beijing University of Chemical Technology,

China 2007

. Outstanding Student Scholarship, Beijing University of Chemical

Technology, China 2005, 2006

. Outstanding Student Scholarship, Zhejiang University, China

2001-2004

. Member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Materials Research

Society (MRS), Society for Biomaterials (SFB)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS/PATENTS

1. Xia Z, Wei M. Collagen-apatite Scaffolds with a Unique Hierarchical

Lamellar Structure for Bone Regeneration. (Provisional patent)

2. Xia Z, Shaw M, Ma A, Wei M. A Biomimetic Collagen-apatite Scaffold with

Unique Multi-level Lamellar Structure Towards Bone Tissue Engineering

Application. Paper in preparation.

3. Xia Z, Wei M. Biomimetic Fabrication of Collagen-apatite Scaffold for

Bone Repair and Regeneration. J Biomater Tissue Eng. 2013: 3: 1-16.

4. Yu X, Wang L, Xia Z, et al. Modulation of Host Osseointegration during

Bone Regeneration by Controlling Exogenous Stem Cells Differentiation

Using a Material Approach. Paper in submission.

5. Xia Z, Yu X, Jiang X, et al. Fabrication and Characterization of

Biomimetic Collagen-Apatite Scaffolds with Tunable Structures for Bone

Tissue Engineering. Acta Biomater. 2013: 9(7): 7308-7019,

6. Xia Z, Yu X, Wei M. Biomimetic Collagen/apatite Coating Formation on

Ti6Al4V Substrates. J Biomed Mater Res Part B. 2012:100B: 871-881.

7. Yu X, Xia Z, Wang L, et al. Controlling the Structural Organization of

Regenerated Bone by Tailoring Tissue Engineering Scaffold Architecture.

J Mater Chem. 2012: 22: 9721-9730.

8. Xia Z, Chen J, Li J, et al. Development of Egg-shell Nano Catalysts

with Porous Hollow Silica Supports for Hydrogenation. J Nanosci

Nanotechnol. 2009: 9 (2): 1433-1436.

9. Qu H, Xia Z, Knecht D A, Wei M. Synthesis of Dense Collagen/apatite

Composites Using a Biomimetic Method. J Am Ceram Soc. 2008: 91 (10):

3211-3215.

10. Xia Z, Wen L, Song J, Chen J. Preparation and Characterization of the

Egg-shell CuO/ZnO/SiO2 Catalysts Modified with Ce. The Journal of

Process Engineering. 2007: 7(4): 812-816.

SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS/PROCEEDINGS

1. Xia Z, Wei M. Biomimetic Collagen/Apatite Scaffolds with Tunable Pore

Structures. Oral presentation. 9th World Biomaterials Congress (WBC),

Chengdu, China, June 1-5, 2012.

2. Xia Z, Wei M. Biomimetic Collagen/apatite Scaffolds with Tunable

Structure for Bone Tissue Engineering. Oral presentation. Materials

Research Society Fall Meeting, Boston, Nov 28- Dec 2, 2011.

OUTREACH ACTVITIES

. Reviewer of Mod Phys Lett B, Surf Rev & Lett, Eur Polymer J and J Biomed

Mater Res Part B 2013

. Conference assistant MRS conference, Boston

2011

. Volunteer for Materials Camp, Girl of Innovation, Connecticut

2011

REFERENCES (Available upon request)[pic]

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