Research Materials Scientist

Jose Marcelo Vargas

**** ****** **., *** * - New Orleans, LA 70115 - USA - 504-***-**** - ********@****.***

PROFILE

After completing his Ph.D. in Physics and 6 years of specialized postdoctoral research in the area of material science/nanotechnology, Dr. Vargas is an independent/associate researcher at Conicet in Argentina, overseeing projects in the field of applied physics. He is actively researching and contributing in two main local programs with technological interests, one is related to radar and microwave technology, with emphasis in magneto-electric components using magnetic thin films, nanotubes and magnetic-based nanoparticles; and the other is connected to nuclear instrumentation, with emphasis in gamma ray/neutron detection devices, exploring how to integrate and make a proper use of colloidal nanoscintillators with enhanced luminescent response. He has experience in nanotechnology manufacturing, in particular chemical synthesis and dc sputtering technique; standard clean-room procedures; helium/nitrogen low-temperature cryogenics; as well as key equipment and techniques used in materials characterization, magnetism, microwave broadband, optics, and radiation scintillation. He is able to work and communicate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, in which hard work, motivation and flexibility are required. The following list shows the most important achievements by Dr. Vargas in his career.

* 40+ Published Scientific Papers, h-index 10 (web-of-science)

* Patent on nanoscintillators for gamma/neutron detection, Issued August 2015

* Award -Participant, First Bell Labs Prize Competition in novel microwave components and devices, October 2014

* Writing experience - white papers, grant project applications, and scientific / technical reports

* Designed and manufactured multifunctional nanostructures – organometallic / inorganic nanoparticles by chemical synthesis, liquid phase deposition, and multilayer thin films by dc sputtering

* Designed and conducted experiments in surface science / surface characterization techniques and surface functionalization (hydrophilic - hydrophobic)

* Performed fluorescence, scattering, absorption, lifetime, spectral characterization; Silicon-photomultipliers and photomultiplier tubes in radiation detection experiments

* Designed and conducted experiments in Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) - image, chemical mapping EDS, and diffraction modes

TECHNICAL SKILLS

- Chemical synthesis of magnetic-based nanoparticles by thermal decomposition technique, organometallic/inorganic nanoparticles (semiconductor, metals and alloys)

- Ferroelectric nanotubes/nanowires and thin films growth by liquid phase deposition technique

- Thin films growth by dc magnetron sputtering, using metallic/magnetic targets

- Protocols and procedures of cleanroom class 100 for microfabrication, in particular photolithography, reactive-ion etching, and lift-off

- Scanning electron microscopy and sample preparation

- Transmission electron microscopy - in image, EDS, and diffraction modes

- Atomic force microscopy - in AFM/PFM/MFM modes

- Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction, in wide and small angle

- X-ray absorption spectroscopy, accomplished in synchrotron beamlines

- Luminescence measurements, emission / excitation experiments UV-Vis

- Scintillating experiments using radioactive gamma and neutron sources; Silicon-photomultiplier and photomultiplier tubes

- dc/ac magnetic characterization, in VSM, MPMS, and PPMS

- Magnetic resonance measurements, Bruker spectrometer at microwave frequency bands Q (34 GHz), X (9.8 GHz), L (1 GHz). Low/high temperatures

- Microwave measurements, VNA broadband spectrometer up to 50 GHz, in probe-station, broadband microwave components, and transmission lines

- Standard ferroelectric tester measurements (Radiant tech., Premier II)

- Low-temperature cryogenics environments, Quantum Design EverCool system

- Low temperature helium/nitrogen handling and equipment maintenance

- General vacuum systems procedures, and equipment maintenance

- Experience in Matlab, LabVIEW programming and instrumentation, accomplished in Microsoft Office and Origin/Pro9.0 (data analysis).

WORK STORY

** National Research Council Scientific and Technical (Conicet); Bariloche, Rio Negro, Argentina (2013 – Present)

http://fisica.cab.cnea.gov.ar/resonancias/paginas-personales/jose-marcelo-vargas Independent / Associate Researcher – Nanotechnology

- Responsible for the production of novel multifunctional nanostructure prototypes for use in rf & microwave applications, and scintillating radiation detection systems

- Look for financial support, writing research proposals and reports - - Initiate partnerships with engineers at the company INVAP to identify, characterize, and improve the multifunctional properties of prototypes and their geometrical design

- Conduct sample preparation using equipment in cleanroom for microfabrication, in particular photolitograhpy, ion milling, and dc sputtering

- Perform quality inspection of nanustructure materials using TEM and AFM, and magneto-optic Kerr magnetometer

- Develop and adapt current instrumentation for novel measurements as ME and ISHE, analysis and presentation of results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences

- Teach and mentor graduate students; collaborate in science promotion for community and high-school programs

** Advanced Materials Research Institute, University of New Orleans; New Orleans, LA, USA (2011-2013)

Instrumental Postdoctoral Researcher

- As an AMRI postdoctoral researcher, my primary work was under supervision of Prof. Dr. Leonard Spinu, Associate Professor at AMRI

- Responsible for the technical maintenance of the MPMS and PPMS, and management of schedule of use: supervision of the cryogenic, electronic and vacuum components of these systems.

- Joined research groups at AMRI participating on experiments development, magnetic and rf & microwave characterization of nanostructured magnetic materials

- Duties included but were not limited to material characterization using XRD, SQUID magnetometer and PPMS system, development of new instrumentation, analysis and presentation of results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences

- Taught and mentored graduate students

** Center for High Technology Materials, University of New Mexico; Albuquerque, NM, USA (2010-2010)

Postdoctoral Researcher

- As a CHTM postdoctoral researcher, my primary work was under supervision of Prof. Dr. Marek Osinski in the multidisciplinary NIH project entitled “Multifunctional nanoparticles: Nano-knives and nano-pullies for enhanced drug delivery to the lung”

- Conducted synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic nanocrystals, their bioconjugation, and carried out hyperthermia experiments

- Collaborated in other projects involving luminescent and scintillating nanocrystals, related to thermal neutron detectors based on gadolinium- containing lanthanide-halide nanoscintillators

- Prepared project reports and manuscripts for publication

** Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), University of Campinas ; Campinas, SP, Brazil (2008-2009)

Postdoctoral Researcher

- As a FAPESP postdoctoral researcher, my primary work was under supervision of Prof. Dr. Carlos Rettori in the project entitled “Study of model nanostructure systems (synthesis, characterization, and manipulation), and heavy-fermion systems”

- Conducted synthesis and characterization of intermetallic nanoparticles, varying their chemical composition and particle size, focusing on the study of the finite size effect on the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties

- Participated in other projects involving the fabrication and characterization of bulk heavy-fermions systems and skutterudites

- Duties included but were not limited to material characterization using XRD, SAXS, XAS, MPMS magnetometer and Bruker microwave system, analysis and presentation of results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences

- Taught and mentored graduate students

EDUCATION

** Balseiro Institute & University of Cuyo – Argentina (2004-2007)

Degree: Ph.D. Physics

Scholarship: National Research Council Scientific and Technical, Argentina

(Conicet) & National Commission of Atomic Energy (Cnea)

Supervisor: Dr. Roberto Zysler

Location: The Nuclear Atomic Center of Bariloche (CAB), belonging to the National Commission of Atomic Energy of Argentina (CNEA)

Nanotechnology & Material Science. Synthesis and characterization of magnetic colloidal nanoparticles of iron-oxide and FePt alloys. Trends on finite size and annealing effects

** University of Campinas – Brazil (2002-2004)

Degree: Master in Physics

Scholarship: Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes)

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Daniela Zanchet and Prof. Dr. Marcelo Knobel CV: Jose Vargas, 3821 Laurel St. New Orleans, LA 70115 – USA – 504-***-**** ********@****.*** Page 5

Location: Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) & University of Campinas

Nanotechnology & Material Science. Synthesis and characterization of colloidal nanoparticles by chemical decomposition, focusing on iron-oxide nanoparticles. Conducting experiments by TEM and Synchrotron light techniques, XRD, SAXS, XAS

** Balseiro Institute & University of Cuyo – Argentina (1998-2001)

Degree: Bachelor of Science / Physics

Scholarship: National Commission of Atomic Energy (Cnea)

Location: Balseiro Institute, at the Nuclear Atomic Center of Bariloche

(CAB)

HONORS & AWARDS

- Participation in the second phase of the Bell Labs Prize. A key element in this phase was a two-day workshop, called Bell Labs Prize Innovathon. During these two days, I worked in person with the Bell Labs mentor (one of the leading Bell Labs experts selected for their technological insight) assigned to me to further refine my proposal and also interact with the other participants. The innovathon took place on October 1st and 2nd 2014, at the Bell Labs Headquarters in Murray Hill, NJ, USA.

PATENTS

- Thermal Neutron Detectors Based On Gadolinium-Containing Nanoscintillators United States US 9,116,246 B 2; Issued August 25, 2015 A thermal neutron detector and method employing Gd-containing nanoscintillators. Thermal neutron radiation is detected by observing scintillation events from the nanoscintillators. 7 inventors; PI: Marek Osinski, Professor at University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

LANGUAGES

ENGLISH - Professional working proficiency

SPANISH - Native proficiency

PORTUGUESE - Native or Bilingual proficiency

MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS

- Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) & IEEE Magnetics Society; starting March 2013

MOST RECENT ACHIEVED RESULTS IN MY INSTITUTION

- Magnetoelectric control of spin currents, J. E. Gómez, J. M. Vargas, L. Avilés Félix, and A. Butera, Appl. Phys. Lett. 108, 242413 (2016)

Luminescent and scintillating properties of lanthanum fluoride nanocrystals in response to gamma/neutron irradiation: codoping with Ce activator, Yb wavelength shifter, and Gd neutron captor; J. M. Vargas, J. Blostein, I. Sidelnika, D. Brito, L. Palomino, R. E. Mayer, Journal of Instrumentation (JINST), in process (2016)

- Exchange bias in ferrite hollow nanoparticles originated by complex internal magnetic structure; E. De Biasi, E. Lima, J. M. Vargas, R. Zysler, J. Arbiol, A. Ibarra, G. F Goya and R. Ibarra, Materials Research Express 2, 105001 (2015)

Unusual magnetic damping effect in a silver–cobalt ferrite hetero nano system; S. Sharma, J. M. Vargas, S. Sepulveda, D. Altbir, K. Pirota, R. Zboril, G. Zoppellaro and M. Knobel, RSC Advances 5, 17117 (2015)

- In plane anisotropic effect of magnetoelectric coupled PMN PT/FePt multiferroic heterostructure: Static and microwave properties; Jose M. Vargas and Javier Gómez, Appl. Phys. Lett. MATERIALS 2, 106105 (2014)

COMPLEMENTARY EDUCATION

- Short Term Course in “Shipping Hazardous Materials Safely”; John Archuleta, Specialist Hazardous Materials. The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque USA – May, 2010

- Short Term Course in “Innovation and Technology Management”; Dr. Alberto Bonfiglioli. Centro Atómico Bariloche - Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica, CAB - CNEA, Argentina – April, 2004

- Short Term Course in “Introductory Course of Small Angle X-Ray

Scattering (SAXS)”; Prof. Irís Torriani. Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Campinas-SP, Brazil – September, 2003

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