Brinda Mehta

***-** ****** ***** ******, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 917-***-**** actc4n@r.postjobfree.com

Skills and Coursework Summary

Extensive hands-on research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization

Extensive hands-on research experience in synthesis and characterization of small molecules

Experience in properties evaluation of thermosetting composites, elastomeric materials and photopolymers

Characterization techniques used: 1H, 13C and 2D NMR Spectroscopy, GPC, FTIR, DSC, TGA, DMA, Tensile Testing, and Mass Spectroscopy

Collaboration experience - Ph.D. research project executed as a subcontract for a composite company, Premix Inc. for 3 years

Experience in scale-up of technology from bench chemistry

Intellectual property strength

Safety training and mentoring experience

Software experiences: MS Office, SciFinder, ChemDraw, Minitab (Design of Experiments)

Notable coursework:1) Polymer Concepts (Polymer Synthesis), 2) Physical Properties of Polymers, 3) Polymer Structure and Characterization, 4) Polymer Coatings, 5) Design of Experiments for Engineering & Science

Education

Ph. D. Expected Graduate Date – May 2016 The University of Akron

Major: Polymer Science

Advisor: Dr. Coleen Pugh

GPA: 3.3/4.0

Master of Science May 2010 Rochester Institute of Technology

Major: Material Science and Engineering

Advisor: Dr. Matt (Massoud) Miri

GPA: 3.6/4.0

Bachelor of Engineering May 2006 University of Mumbai (India)

Major: Chemical Engineering

Work Experience

Product Development Chemist Smart 3D Solutions January 2016 - Present

Thermal and mechanical characterizations of the polymer-based core sensor material

Reformulation of the polymer components to lower costs for commercialization

Process Engineer Anaren Microwave August 2007 – November 2007

Design of Experiments – performed Gage R&R study using Minitab on the data collected from various devices used to measure the thickness of the printed circuit boards with a very high accuracy

Compatibility testing of different types of polymeric materials layered in a printed circuit board panel

Leadership Experience

Entrepreneurial Lead NSF I-Corps Sites January 2014 – May 2014

Acted as a bridge between research and development and entrepreneurs/customers

Investigated and analyzed transfer of cutting edge technology from academia to industries for commercialization and lead the go/no go decision using a type of stage gate process

Prepared business model guide by understanding value proposition, customer relationships, channels and customer segments

Leadership Roles The University of Akron

Senator of College of Polymer Science and Engineering in Graduate Student Government (GSG) (2013-2014)

President of the Student Chapter of the Polymer Chemistry and Polymer Materials Science and Engineering Divisions of the American Chemical Society (POLY-PMSE) (2012-2014)

Graduate Research Projects

Ph.D. Research

Synthesis, purification and characterization of fatty acids and triglycerides that are similar to Tall oil-based raw materials

Cross-linking of alkene and alkyne-containing triglycerides of plant oils using following chemistries: ene reaction, alkyne cyclotrimerization and click chemistry (application-based technologies for commercialization)

Thermal and mechanical characterizations of triglyceride-based cross-linked (thermosetting) materials

Synthesis and characterization of modified soybean oil using rhodium-based catalyst for use as a reactive diluent in coatings

Master’s Research

Synthesized biodegradable starch/polyethylene blends using aqueous emulsion polymerization process promoting sustainability and synthesis of single site catalysts for polymerization of ethylene

Achievements

Awards

Earned an Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) Scholarship for the academic year 2014-2015 worth $5000

Won a $3000 Ohio Rubber Group (ORG) Graduate Student Award in 2013 where an award certificate was granted as well

Won an Alumni Award for a poster made on the thesis topic, “Environmentally Friendly Process and Properties of Polyethylene/Starch Nanocomposites made with Single Site Catalysts” in 2008

Patent and Publications

Nalawade, P. P.; Mehta, B.; Pugh, C.; Soucek, M. D., Modified Soybean Oil as a Reactive Diluent: Synthesis and Characterization. J. Poly. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52(21), 3045-3059.

Pugh, C.; Watt, P.; Mehta, B. Synthesis of Cross-Linked Plant-Oil Based Polymers Using Bismaleimides as Cross-linkers. U.S. Provisional Patent 61/874,031, September 5, 2013 (PCT application processed on 09/05/14).

Shah, B.B.; Clark, J.M.; Snyder, J.M.; Miri, M.J.; Polyethylene/Starch Hybrids produced by Emulsion Polymerization. Polym. Prepr. 2011, 52(1), No pp. given.

Kolhatkar, N.A.; Monfette, A.M.; Shah, B.B.; Clark, J.M.; Green, B.A.; Miri, M.; Polymerization of Ethylene with 5-Halo-3-Methoxy-Salicyl Aldiminato Nickel (II) Catalysts. Polym. Prepr. 2009, 50, 226-227.

Manuscript In-Preparation

Moderate Temperature Curing of Plant Oils via the “Ene Reaction” – Brinda Mehta, Paula Watt, Mark D. Soucek and Coleen Pugh.

Synthesis of Thermosetting Polymers Utilizing Alkyne Cyclotrimerization Reaction to Alkynic Triglycerides – Brinda Mehta, Paula Watt, and Coleen Pugh.

Posters and Presentations

Poster on “Green Composites Based on Alkyne- and Alkene-Containing Plant Oils” presented at the –

1.ACS Rubber Division International Elastomer Conference on October 14th, 2015 at Cleveland, OH.

2.ACS National Meeting and Exposition on September 8th, 2013 at Indianapolis, IN.

Presented on “Green Resins Based on Alkene-Containing Plant Oils” at the –

1.Akron Functional Materials Center (AFMC) Spring Meeting on April 9th, 2014 at Akron, OH.

2.Ohio Rubber Group (ORG) Winter Technical Meeting on January 28th, 2014 at Twinsburg, OH

Volunteer Activities

Coach and volunteer at the King and Friends Science Olympiad held at the University of Akron for kids aged 9-12 years (2012-2015)

Judge (2015) and Volunteer (2012) at the 64th Western Reserve District 5 Science Fair held at the University of Akron

Contact this candidate