VIPRA DHIR

**** ***** *** *****, ******* Landing, Orlando, Florida 32826

Email: abnm4y@r.postjobfree.com Cell: 973-***-****

PROFILE

Material Science engineer with four years of experience in Polymer synthesis, processing, testing & their

applications in blends and coatings

SKILLS/ ABILITIES

Material Characterization:

Thermogravimetric Analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, UV/Vis & FTIR spectroscopy, Impact

strength testing, Tensile strength testing (Instron), Meltfelxer (Melt Flow & Melt Volume Index), and

Chemical analysis.

Synthesis & Processing Polymers

Pilot scale polymer blends preparation, Polymer reactions & synthesis, Polymer scaffold and multilayer

film preparation, Patterning of polymers using photolithography.

EDUCATION

University Of Central Florida (UCF) Orlando, FL

College of Engineering & Computer Science Aug. 2006-Dec 2008

Master of Science candidate in Material Science & Engineering,

Honors: Graduate Research Assistantship, GPA: 3.75/4.0

Punjab Technical University Ferozpur, India

Government College of Engineering & Technology Aug. 1999-July 2003

Bachelor of Technology in Material Science & Engineering

Honors: Ranked first in the whole department, GPA: 4.0/4.0

Relevant graduate level coursework: Polymer structure & properties, Polymer chemistry, Transmission

electron microscopy, Mechanical behavior of materials, Intermediate structure & properties of materials,

Tissue Engineering, Biochemistry.

WORK HISTORY

Shriram Institute for Industrial Research Delhi, India

Material Science Division Jul. 2002-Dec. 2002

Intern

Project: Development of suitable compatibilizer for Polypropylene (PP)/ Nylon blend

Grafted MAH (maleic anhydride) onto PP in the presence of organic peroxide DCP (dicumyl

peroxide) by melt mixing in an extruder and an internal mixer (Rheocord RC-90) at varying

concentration of MAH and DCP at varying temperatures.

Characterized for the extent of grafting by FTIR, Melt Flow Index (ASTM D-1238), and DSC

measurement.

Prepared blends of PP and Nylon6 (70/30 wt. %) with and without compatibilizer. Studied their

mechanical properties: Tensile Strength (ASTM D-638) on Instron Universal Testing Machine

and Impact strength (ASTM D-256) on FIE Impact Tester. Carried out their morphological

studies using SEM.

Shriram Institute for Industrial Research Delhi, India

Material Science Division Aug. 2003-Dec. 2005

Senior Research Fellow

Project 1: Development of High Performance Electron Beam Curable wood coating Formulations

Sponsor: Department of Atomic Energy India

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VIPRA DHIR

Formulated epoxy and urethane based coatings by varying oligomer and reactive diluent type &

quantity

Characterized formulations for electron beam curing parameters, physical & mechanical

properties

Project 2: Development of a process for deodorization, decolorization and pesticide removal of wool wax

Sponsor: Rolex Lanolin Limited, Mumbai, India

Devised methods for the purification of lanolin to obtain completely colorless, odorless and pesticide free

lanolin

Characterized lanolin as per British pharmacopeia for color, acid value, iodine value, peroxide

value, moisture, pesticide content etc.

Nanoscience Technology Center Orlando, FL

Graduate Research Assistant (MS thesis) Aug. 2006-Aug 2008

Prepared polymeric polyelectrolyte multilayers on plain glass and multielectrode arrays, patterned

multilayers using photolithography by Laser ablation.

Patterned various mammalian cells like cardiac myocytes, NG108-15 and C2C12 on multilayers

Developed serum free media for patterning beating primary cardiac myocytes on polyelectrolyte

multilayers. The patterns were stable and beating for more than 100 days

Prepared biodegradable polyesterurethane scaffolds for skeletal muscle cells

Local Biotech Start up Orlando, FL

Research Associate Jan. 2008-Present

• Working on preparation of standard operating procedures of laboratory and automation procedures

for GLP

• Working on automation of Peripheral tissue equivalent module for high throughput screening of

vaccine candidates

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

Provost Scholarship student in NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology), (took transfer from

NJIT to UCF in Fall 2006)

Graduate Assistant in Disability services in NJIT (Spring 2006)

Graduate Assistant Chem is try (Summer I 2006)

Teaching assistant in Upward bound Math & Science program NJIT (Summer II 2006)

Graduate Research assistant Nanoscience Technology Center UCF (Fall 2006–Summer 2008)

Global peer International students services UCF (Fall 2007-Summer 2008)

PUBLICATION

Application of polyelectrolyte multilayers for photolithographic patterning of diverse mammalian

cell types in serum free medium, Biotechnology progress, 2009 Vol 25 Issue 2, 594-603

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

Biopolymers; Chemism 2002; IIT Roorkee, India.

Development of suitable compatibilizer for PP/ Nylon Blend; All India Students ISTE students chapter

2003(Won II prize); BCET, Gurdaspur, India.

Electron beam curing of polymers on wood surfaces: an environment friendly process; IInd All India

Paint and Coating Technologist Conference; Feb 2004; Delhi, India.

Patterning of cardiac myocytes on self assembled polyelectrolyte multilayers; American Chemical

Society Florida Section 2007.

Micropatterned self assembled polyelectrolyte based cytophobic coatings; 234th – American

Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition Fall 2007.

Micropatterning Cardiac Myocytes On Self Assembled Polyelectrolyte Multilayers; Materials research

Society Meeting Fall 2007

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VIPRA DHIR

AFFILIATIONS

Member American Chemical Society

Member Regulatory Affairs Professional Society

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