Manager Assistant

Brandon Juaron Thomas, PhD Candidate

Email: ********@***.***

Work Address: Home Address: Mobile Phone: 731-***-****

**** ******* ***. **** ****** Place, Unit C Fax: 314-***-****

St. Louis, MO 63103 St. Louis, MO 63104

Work Phone: 314-***-****

Special Skills

Synthesis of air-sensitive, inorganic materials; electron microscopy (scanning & transmission); powder X-ray diffraction; dynamic light

scattering (DLS); spectroscopy (IR & Raman); differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); glove box

handling; Schlenk line manipulation

Education

Saint Louis University – St. Louis, MO

• Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry expected May 2014

o Research Advisor: Dr. Steven W. Buckner

Thesis Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Reactive Metal Nanostructures

• M.S., Chemistry May 2012

o Research Advisor: Dr. Steven W. Buckner

Lambuth University – Jackson, TN May 2008

• Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

o Minors: Biology, Music

Leadership Experience

Safety Committee Member – Department of Chemistry, Saint Louis University Fall 2012 – Spring 2013

Kappa Alpha Order – Chapter President Fall 2007

Lambuth University Student Government Association – Vice President Fall 2007 – Spring 2008

Orientation Leader – Lambuth University Freshman Orientation Fall 2006 – Fall 2007

Professional Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant – Saint Louis University August 2009 - current

• Taught both General Chemistry Lab & Organic Chemistry Lab

• Techniques taught: chromatography (gas & thin-layer), infrared spectroscopy, distillation (simple & fractional), reflux,

melting & boiling point, refractive index, recrystallization, extraction (miniscale & microscale), electrochemistry,

titrations, filtration (gravity & vacuum)

Graduate Research Assistant – Saint Louis University August 2009 – June 2013

• Conducted research on the synthesis and characterization of inorganic nanomaterials

• Served as lab manager in absence of research mentor

• Supervised research progress of undergraduate students

• Assisted with relocation of laboratory

Office of Student Retention and Success – Lambuth University August 2005 – December 2007

• Tutored General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, undergraduate Math courses, General Biology

Professional Affiliations

American Chemical Society – Inorganic Division

Awards

Lambuth Scholar – School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Publications

Thomas, B. J.; Jelliss, P. A.; Buckner, S. W. “Energetic nanoparticle formulation by the thermal decomposition of alanates.” Prepr. Symp.

– Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Fuel Chem. 2013, 58(2), 270.

Thomas, B. J.; Bunker, C. E.; Guliants, E. A.; Hayes, S. E.; Kheyfets, A.; Wentz, K. M.; Buckner, S. W.; Jelliss, P. A. "Synthesis of

aluminum nanoparticles capped with copolymerizable epoxides." J Nanopart Res 2013, 15, 1729.

Thomas, B.; Lloyd, E.; Guliants, E.; Bunker, C.; Jelliss, P.; Buckner, S. “Capping and passivation of aluminum nanoparticles: aluminum-

induced alkene polymerization.” NSTI – Nanotech 2013 2013, 1, 362.

Thomas, B. J.; Guliants, E. A.; Bunker, C. E.; Jelliss, P. A.; Buckner, S. W. “Aluminum nanoparticle stabilization: polymerization

initiation by electron-rich metallic nanoparticles (PIERMEN).” Prepr. Symp. – Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Fuel Chem. 2013, 58(1), 1150.

Thomas, B. J.; Wentz, K. M.; Guliants, E. A.; Bunker, C. E.; Hayes, S. E.; Jelliss, P. A.; Buckner, S. W. “Thermal synthesis of air-stable

aluminum nanoparticles passivated via a novel integrated polymerization scheme.” Prepr. Symp. – Am. Chem. Soc. Div. Fuel Chem.

2012, 57(1), 667.

Jelliss, P.A.; Buckner, S. W.; Chung, S. W.; Thomas, B. J. “Passivated metal nanoparticles having an epoxide-based oligomer coating.”

U. S. Patent App 13/178,398.

Selected Presentations

“Use of nanomaterials for energetic applications.” Disruptive Diner – Nano Possibilities. St. Louis, MO. Oct. 15, 2013. Oral.

“Production of boron nanoparticles by titanium (IV) isopropoxide – initiated borane decomposition.” 244th ACS National Meeting and

Exposition. Indianapolis, IN. Sept. 8-12, 2013. Poster.

“Capping and passivation of aluminum nanoparticles: aluminum-induced alkene polymerization.” NanoFrontiers 2013. June 6-7, 2013.

Poster.

“Polymer-coated reactive metal nanoparticles.” SLINN (St. Louis Institute of Nanoscience & Nanomedicine) 2013. May 4, 2013. Oral.

“Capping and passivation of aluminum nanoparticles with alkenes.” SERMACS 2012. Raleigh, NC. Nov. 14-17, 2012. Oral.

“Thermal synthesis of air-stable aluminum nanoparticles passivated via a novel integrated polymerization scheme.” 243rd ACS National

Meeting & Exposition. San Diego, CA. Mar. 25-29, 2011. Sci-Mix Poster.

“Capping and passivation of aluminum nanoparticles with epoxy-alkenes.” NanoFrontiers 2011. Springfield, MO. Oct. 26, 2011. Poster.

“Synthesis of aluminum nanoparticles using copolymerizable capping agents.” 24th Missouri Inorganic Day. Springfield, MO. Apr. 30,

2011. Oral.

“Integrated synthetic methodology for surface passivation and kinetic stabilization of aluminum nanoparticles with polymerizable

capping agents.” 240th ACS National Meeting and Exposition. Boston, MA. Aug. 22-26, 2010. Poster.

References

Steven W. Buckner, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

Saint Louis University

Department of Chemistry

Phone: 314-***-**** Paul A. Jelliss, Ph.D.

Fax: 314-***-**** Associate Professor

Email: ********@***.*** Saint Louis University

Department of Chemistry

Phone: 314-***-**** Christina S. Bagwill, MS

Fax: 314-***-**** Lab Coordinator

Email: ********@***.*** Saint Louis University

Department of Chemistry

Phone: 314-***-****

Fax: 314-***-****

Email: ********@***.***

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