Project Management Engineering

SMRUTI RAGUNATH

**** ********** ******* *** *****: (201) 303 – 1412

Iselin, NJ 08830 Email:*****@****.***

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PROFILE

Interdisciplinary scientist majoring in science & engineering and specialized in material characterization, fabrication & treatment process. Skilled in data analysis, project management, lab management, and mentoring fellow peers. Developed strong communication, leadership, interpersonal, technical writing, and presentation skills along with academic skills. Eager and enthusiastic to leverage my skills in a challenging research & development role.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Environmental Science (GPA - 4.0) May 2017 (Expected) New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ Dissertation Title: Novel membrane structures for air and water purifications. Master of Science (M.S) in Pharmaceutical Engineering (GPA – 3.3) May 2010 New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ Thesis Title: Development of real-time monitoring devices for GHGs. Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) in Biotechnology May 2008 SASTRA University, India

Thesis Topic: Hydrodynamic studies on treatment of dairy waste using three phase fluidized bed bioreactor. SKILLS

Material Characterization: SEM, EDX, AFM, TGA, UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, Calorimetry. Chromatography Techniques: HPLC – UV Vis, GC-FID, GC-PID. Membrane Separations: Gas Separation, Membrane Distillation, Pervaporation. Fabrication Techniques: Phase inversion, Chemical Treatment, Interfacial Polymerization. Computer Skills: Image analysis software (XEI), Chromatogram analysis (Peak Simple), MS Office package. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT Sep 2008 – Present

Department of Chemistry & Environmental Science, NJIT Advisor: Dr. Somenath Mitra

Ph.D. Dissertation Title: Novel Membrane Structures for Air & Water Purifications The dissertation work involves design of novel membrane structures utilizing nanomaterials to enhance their membrane performance for applications such as volatile organics (VOCs) removal, desalination, and microbial filtration. Customized fabrication methods such a phase inversion, carbon nanotube(CNT) immobilization, chemical treatment were adapted to enhance membrane performance. Performance of the membranes were evaluated with both laboratory synthesized sea water and brackish water obtained from power plants.

• Successfully developed membrane separation technique for VOC removal from air utilizing carbon nanotube immobilized membrane (CNIM).

• Fabricated novel membranes structures for clean water generation via desalination by adapting various surface modifying methods.

• Proposed a novel method for disinfecting (removal of pyrogens) waste water via membrane distillation.

• Acquired knowledge on membrane separation for various application, membrane based desalination process, microbial filtration and application of carbon nanotubes on environmental and energy applications.

• Experienced in membrane fabrication, material characterization, nanomaterials, and chromatography techniques.

MS Thesis Title: Development of real-time monitoring devices for GHGs

• The thesis work involved design of preconcentration device (Microtraps) to effectively monitor greenhouse gases (GHGs) and volatile organic compounds from industrial emissions.

• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as sorbents for rapid sorption – desorption of contaminant gases.

• Threefold increase in performance was attained and provided potential strategy for use of preconcentration device at industrial scale.

SMRUTI RAGUNATH RESUME Page 2 of 2

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. “Carbon Nanotube Immobilized Membrane with Controlled Nanotube Incorporation via Phase Inversion Polymerization for Desalination via Membrane Distillation” by S.Ragunath, S. Roy, and S.Mitra, in preparation (2017).

2. "Enhanced Pure Water Recovery in Membrane Distillation by Implementing Heating Stages Between a Series of Membrane Modules ", S.Roy, S.Ragunath, S.Mitra submitted to Separation and Purification Technology,2016

(under review).

3. “Selective Hydrophilization of Permeate Surface to Enhance Flux in Membrane Distillation” by S.Ragunath, S.Roy and S.Mitra in Separation and Purification Technology, 170(2016) 427-433. 4. “Carbon Nanotube Immobilized Composite Hollow Fiber Membranes for Extraction of Volatile Organics from Air” by S.Ragunath and S.Mitra in Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 119(2015) 132**-*****. 5. “Enhanced preconcentration of selected chlorofluorocarbons on multiwalled carbon nanotubes with polar functionalities” by C. Saridara, C.M.Hussain, S.Ragunath, and S. Mitra in Journal of Separation Science, 38 (2015) 426-432.

6. “Methane preconcentration in a microtrap using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as sorbents” by C. Saridara, S.Ragunath, Y. Pu, and S. Mitra in Journal of Analytical Chimica Acta, 677(2010) 50-54. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

INTERN Nov 2006 – Jan 2007

Orchid Pharmaceuticals Ltd, India

• Explored various stages involved in drug development process in a pharmaceutical industry which includes drug development, formulation, validation, purification, manufacturing, and distribution.

• Used different analytical methods such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for performing purity and assay test for synthesized antibiotic drugs. INTERN May 2006 - July 2006

Central Leather Research Institute(CLRI), India

• Studied microbial cell culturing methods and protein extraction techniques for microbial cells.

• Used liquid – liquid extraction methods for isolating enzymes and proteins from soil bacteria. CONFERNCE PROCEEDINGS

• American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meet, USA; Attendee and Presenter, Aug 2010, Aug 2012, Mar 2014, Aug 2015, Aug 2016.

• New Jersey Water Environment Association (NJWEA) Annual Conference, NJ; Attendee and Presenter, May 2014, 2015 & 2016.

• American Water Works Association Annual Conference, NJ, USA, USA; Presenter, Mar 2015.

• Dana Knox Research Showcase, NJIT; Presenter, Apr 2015.

• Graduate Research Showcase, NJIT; Presenter, Oct 2014.

• Easter Analytical Symposium (EAS), NJ; Attendee and Presenter, Nov 2010.

• New Jersey Chromatography Group (NJCG) Symposium, NJ Attendee and Presenter, May 2010. LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Chair,2016 Student Research Poster Competition, SWE Conference, Newport News, VA FY 2016

• Graduate Student Rep, Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Region FY 2015

• President, Society of Women Engineers, Graduate Section NJIT, Newark, NJ FY 2014

• Vice President, Society of Women Engineers, Graduate Section NJIT, Newark, NJ FY 2013

• Student Investigator, Green Chemistry for High School Students, NJIT FY 2010 HONORS & AWARDS

• Winner, Graduate Students Poster Competition, 101th NJWEA Annual Conference May 2016

• Student Fellow, New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute FY 2015 Grants Mar 2015

• Outstanding Graduate Women Student, Constance. A. Murray Scholarship Sep 2014

• Winner, Graduate Students Poster Competition, 99th NJWEA Annual Conference May 2014

• Student Fellow, New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute FY 2014 Grants Mar 2014

• Recipient, Johnson & Johnson Fellowship Sep 2013

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