Indira K.C. Silwal, Ph.D.
(Cell): 207-***-****
*************@*****.***
ACADEMIC TEACHING FIELDS/INTERESTS:
Analytical Chemistry Physical Chemistry Theoretical Chemistry
Atmospheric chemistry General Chemistry Organic Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry Interface Material Chemistry Wood Chemistry
EDUCATION:
Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, 2008
Thesis: Characterization of Unknown Chemicals Using Gas Chromatography/Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry and Ab-initio Calculations
M.Phil. Physical Chemistry, Kathmandu University, Kathmandu, Nepal, May 1999
Thesis: Density functional study of potential energy surface of [CH2N] system
M. Sc., Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1997
B.Sc., Chemistry & Biology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1994
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Include experimental and theoretical studies of different molecules of environmental, biological, atmospheric, energy, and material concern at molecular level; utilizing Quantum mechanics/Molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculation to understand the biological system, modeling of atmospheric system and Density functional Study for Material growth and Design.
Experimental Research Interest: Unknown identification, characterization of complex mixture in real world sample and detection of trace level of chemical agents in both air and water.
Recent research projects: Rapid quantification of gas phase concentrations of the peroxides in ambient air to understand the gas phase oxidant chemistry in the troposphere by using Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry.
Identification of potential disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water at a high level of confidence by using: Gas Chromatography Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (GC/FT-ICR MS) technique.
Characterizing gasoline samples: Multidimensional gas chromatography /Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analyses.
Current research projects: Identification and quantification of sugars and organic acids by using HPLC, GC-FID and GC-MS Techniques
Theoretical & Computational Interest: Molecular modeling of different molecules of environmental, biological, and material concern for computational study.
Current research projects:
Focus on Advanced ab-initio molecular orbital calculations: - to characterize and identify several possible reagent ions for the quantitative determination of peroxides in ambient air. -to understand the ion molecule reactions for the selective formation of peroxide-ion adducts in the complicated matrix of ambient air.
Determination of proton affinity of halogenated compounds by using high-accuracy computational thermochemistry.
Study of proton transfer reaction of halogenated compounds by using ab initio and density functional theory. Study of potential energy surface of different system by using ab initio and density functional theory.
Study of various systems by using computer simulation.
Density functional theory for material growth and design study.
Silwal 2
ACADEMIC/PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS:
Research Scientist
Forest Bioproducts Research Institute, University Of Maine, Orono, ME July 2017-Present
Adjunct Faculty/ Laboratory Manager in Chemistry
Trinity Washington University, Washington DC Jan.2017-June 2017
● Taught Organic Chemistry 222 Lectures and Organic Chemistry 224 Laboratory. Chemistry for Health Science CHEM 113 lecture and laboratory and Fundamental of Chemistry 112 laboratory courses. As Laboratory Manager, I managed preparation for above lab courses and instrumental laboratory for Forensic Science course. I also worked with summer research students for instrumental support.
Adjunct Faculty Aug. 2016 – Dec 2016
Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland
●Taught General Chemistry laboratory courses.
●Work with Undergraduate Students in Battery Project under Naval Engineering Education Consortium Project under Dr. Kadir Aslan.
Instructor, Practical Applications March 2016 – August 2016
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
●Preparation and Teaching Integrated II-IV laboratory Courses.
●Summer Seminar for High School Student.
●Instrumental Chemist for Quality Control for Chemistry Instrumental Laboratory.
Adjunct Faculty, Chemistry (Dept) August 2015 – December 2015
Hood College, Frederick, Maryland
●General Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory.
●Environmental Chemistry for Graduate Level
Adjunct Faculty, School of Science Chemistry (Dept) December. 2014 -December 2016
Howard Community College, Columbia, Maryland
●Chemistry Laboratory Courses.
●Chemistry Tutor at Learning Assistant Center
Adjunct Faculty, Chemistry (Dept) August. 2014 - May 2015
Mt. Saint Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Maryland
●Taught Four Laboratory Courses in Fall 2014 and Spring 2015
Adjunct Faculty, _Chemistry (Dept) Sept. 2013 - May 2014
Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, Maryland
●Taught General chemistry Lecture and Laboratory Courses.
●Chemistry and Biology Tutor
Research Assistant Professor Jan. 2011 Aug 2013
1.U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
●Work in measurement of hydrogen peroxide for DC3 projects under Professor Daniel O’Sullivan and National Center for Atmospheric Research, Broom Field, Colorado.
Adjunct Faculty, Chemistry (Dept) Aug. 2010 - Dec. 2010
Husson University, Bangor, Maine
●Taught General Chemistry Laboratory Courses.
Adjunct Faculty, Chemistry (Dept) Aug.2008 Dec. 2010
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
●Taught General Chemistry to 145 students
●Worked as Research associate position with Professor Jayendran Rasaiah
Teaching Assistant, Chemistry (Dept) Aug, 2003 - Dec, 2007
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
●Taught Computer Simulation CHY 573 as mentored by Prof. Jayendran Rasaiah
●Taught General Chemistry CHY123 and CHY 124
●Taught Quantitative Analysis Laboratory course
Research Assistant, Chemistry (Dept) Aug, 2005 - Dec, 2007
Worked with undergraduate student in Instrumental laboratory Under Prof. Touradj Solouki
Part Time Faculty, Central Department of Chemistry Aug, 2001 2003
Tribhuvan University, Nepal
●Taught Physical Chemistry to 90 students
●Taught Chemistry for Higher Education Board level of Chemistry for K-12.
Visiting Scientist, Weizmann Institute of Science Oct, 2000 - Feb, 2001
●Position was located at Rehovot, Israel
●Worked under the leadership of Prof. Jan M. L. Martin
● Study of heat of formation of Methylamine by using Weizmann Theory.
Part Time Faculty, Chemistry (Dept)
Kathmandu University, Nepal
Taught General Chemistry courses to B. Pharmacy and
B. Environmental Science Major Sep, 1998, Dec, 1999
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS:
Publication: O’Sullivan D. W., Silwal I.K.C., Treadaway V., McNeill A. and Heikes B. G. “ Quantification of gas phase hydrogen peroxide and methylperoxide in ambient air: Using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry with O2-, and O2-•CO2 reagent ions ” Int. J. Mass Spectrom.2018,424,16-26.
Publications & Presentations (cont.)
Publication: Treadaway, V., Heikes, B. G., McNeill, A. S., Silwal, I. K. C., and O'Sullivan, D. W.: Measurement of formic acid, acetic acid and hydroxyacetaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and methyl peroxide in air by chemical ionization mass spectrometry: airborne method development, Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-1901-2018, 2018.
Publication: Silwal, I. K. C., Rasaiah J. C., Szulejko, J. E, Solouki T, “Proton Transfer Reactions of Halogenated Compounds: Using Gas Chromatography/Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (GC/FT-ICR MS) and ab-initio Calculations”, Int. J. Mass Spectrom. 2010, 293, 1-11.
Publication: C. Heffner, I. Silwal, J. M. Peckenham and T. Solouki, “Emerging Technologies for Identification of Disinfection By-Products: GC/FT-ICR MS Characterization of Solvent Artifacts”, Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41, 5419 -5425.
Publication: G. de Oliveira, J. M. L. Martin, I. K. C. Silwal, Joel F. Liebman: “Definitive heat of formation of methylenimine, CH2NH, and of methylenimmonium ion, CH2NH2+, by means of W2 theory, J. Comput. Chem., 2001, 22 (13), 1297-1305.
Presentations: Indira Silwal, Guangchang Zhou, Adrian Podpirka, Cristian Rodriguez“ Flux Growth of Topological Kondo Insulator SmB6” 2nd JHU Summer School on Materials Growth and Design, PARADIM 2017, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Presentation: Indira Silwal, Shirnece Brown, Kevin Fitzell, Sushant Kumar, Hanjong Park,“Intrinsic Transparent Conductivity in RbTe,” Summer School for Density Functional Theory for Experimentalist”, PARADIM 2016, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Presentation: Victoria Treadaway, Daniel W O'Sullivan, Brian Heikes, Indira Silwal and Ashley McNeill," Formic and Acetic Acid Observations over Colorado by Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Organic Acid’s Role in Air Quality” AGU Fall Meeting,San Francisco 14-18 december 2015.
Presentation:Silwal I.K.C., O’Sullivan D. W., Treadaway V., McNeill A. and Heikes B. G. O’Sullivan D. W, ”Multi-reagent ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations applied to peroxide characterization and quantification” 245th American Chemical Society ACS National Meeting, Division of Analytical Chemistry; session: Advances in Environmental Chemistry, April 7-11, 2013 New Orleans, Louisiana.
Presentation: McNeill A., Treadaway V, Heikes B. G., Silwal I.K.C., and O’Sullivan D. W., “H2O2 and CH3OOH Measurements in DC3 Using Multi-Reagent Ion CIMS” 245th American Chemical Society ACS National Meeting, Division of Environmental Air Monitoring. April 7-11, 2013 New Orleans, Louisiana.
Presentation: O’Sullivan D. W., Silwal I.K.C., Treadaway V., McNeill A. and Heikes B. G.,”Multi-reagent ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry and ab-initio calculations for peroxide measurements in DC3. DC3 Science Team Meeting, February 25-28, 2013, NCAR Foothills Lab2, main auditorium Boulder, Colorado.
Presentation: Heikes B. G., Treadaway V., McNeill A. Silwal I. K.C. and. O’Sullivan D. W., “Peroxide Observations in the mid to Upper Troposphere Adjacent and Downwind Of Deep Convection” DC3 Science Team Meeting February 25-28, 2013, NCAR Foothills Lab2, main auditorium Boulder, Colorado.
Presentation: Silwal I. K.C.:, Heikes B.:, O’Sullivan D.,“Characterization and Quantification of Gas Phase Peroxides by Exploring Reagent Ion Chemistry Using Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Ab-Initio calculations” Proceedings of 243rd ACS National Meeting, Division of Analytical Chemistry, March 25-29, 2012, San Diego, California.
Presentation: Solouki, T.; Rasaiah, J. C.; Szulejko, J.E.; Silwal I., “Characterization of Petroleum Samples by GC/FT-ICR MS” Proceedings of the 237 the American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Division of Petroleum Chemistry, August 16-20, 2009, Washington, DC.
Presentation: Silwal I.; Luo Z.; Rasaiah J. C.; Solouki T., “Gas Chromatography/Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry and Ab-Initio Proton Affinity Calculations of Hydrocarbon Isomers in Petroleum” Proceedings of the 236th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting, Division of Petroleum Chemistry, August 17-21, 2008, Philadelphia, PA.
Presentation: Silwal I.; Rasaiah J. C.; Solouki T., “Multidimensional Analysis of Environmental Samples: Gas Chromatography/Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry and Ab-Initio Calculations” Proceedings of the 56th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, 2008, Denver, Colorado.
Presentation: Solouki, T.; Szulejko, J. E.; Silwal, I.; Heffner, C., “Experimental and Theoretical Approaches: Identification of Disinfection Byproducts in Drinking Water with Multidimensional GC/FT-ICR MS”, Proceedings of the 54th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, 2006, Seattle, WA.
Presentation: Solouki, T.; Silwal, I.; Heffner, C.; Peckenham, J., “Emerging Technologies for Sample-printing and Identification of Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water: Multidimensional GC/FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry”, Gordon Conference, August, 2006, South Hadley, MA.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
●Member, American Chemical Society
●Member, American Society for Mass Spectrometry
●Member, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
COMPUTER TECHNICAL SKILLS:
●System: Unix, Linux
●Windows Computer Language: Fortran, C++
●Computing software: Amber, Gaussian, PC-model,
●Spartan Graphic software: Gnuplot, Gauss View, VMD, NAMD
●Other software: Endnote, PowerPoint
Silwal 6
REFERENCES
Dr. Touradj Solouki
Professor of Chemistry
Baylor Science Building C 112
Baylor University, Waco, TX
***************@******.***
Dr. Jayendran C. Rasaiah
Professor of Chemistry
Aubert Hall
University Of Maine
*******@*****.***
Dr. Daniel W. O’Sullivan
Vice Academic Dean
Professor, Chemistry Department
US Naval Academy
589 McNair Road
Nimitz Hall
Annapolis, MD 21402-1323
********@****.***