Analytical Chemist

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

M.S. in Chemistry seeking industrial career opportunity. Six years research

experience within academia, museums, and the National Park Service.

EDUCATION

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Anticipated Fall 2012

M.S. in Physical/Analytical Chemistry, Cum. GPA = 3.79/4.00

Thesis Title: Investigating the Degradation of the dye Eosin Y using

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Correlated with Theoretical Studies

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

May 2006

A.B. in Chemistry with Honors, minor in Anthropology, Cum. GPA = 3.66/4.00,

College Dean's List 2003

Honors Thesis Title: Chemical Analyses of Activity Residues in a Maya

Marketplace

Columbia University, New York, NY

Fall 2004

Visiting Student Program, Cum. GPA = 4.000/4.000

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Instrumental Analysis: surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, Raman, IR, UV-

vis spectrophotometry, ICP-AES, GC-mass spectrometry, HPLC, X-ray

Fluorescence, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy, MALDI-FT-MS,

FT-NMR

Synthesis/Fabrication: thermal metal vapor deposition, nanosphere

lithography, chemical colloidal synthesis

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

July 2010 - Current

Graduate Research Assistant

Developed near infrared-surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for the

detection and identification of artistic dyes and their degradation

products in precious works of art. Published a quantitative comparison

study of SERS substrates. Collaborated with theoretical chemists to

correlate experimental results with theoretically derived spectra to obtain

dye molecular structural information.

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC

Technical Studies Intern and Scientific Research Contractor

April - July 2009

Characterized polymeric materials with Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC-

MS to evaluate plastic art objects. Identified heavy metal pesticide

contamination of objects with a portable XRF instrument and maintained an

Access database of results.

Pre-program Conservation Intern

October 2008 - May 2009

Conserved 18 cultural objects and assisted in XRD and XRF analyses of

active bronze disease on a copper Tlingit rattle. Kept immaculate records

of entire conservation process with photography and written condition

reports. Selected for internship through competitive application process.

Virgin Islands National Park Service, St. John, USVI

September 2006 - August 2008

Archaeological Conservation Intern

Researched and revised metal conservation protocols. Outfitted laboratory

with chemicals and equipment for the quantitative removal of corrosive

chlorides from recovered underwater metal artifacts. Completed

archaeological surveys underwater and on land with GPS, and excavated

prehistoric and historic sites. Catalogued artifacts and maintained

artifact and archaeological site databases. Lectured visitors monthly on

Virgin Islands archaeology.

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME

Advanced Independent Study

May 2005 - August 2006

Designed project titled "Chemical Analyses of Activity Residues in a Maya

Marketplace." Extracted phosphorus and heavy metals from 132 soil samples

collected during the Programme for Belize archaeological field school.

Analyzed elemental concentrations with ICP-AES to identify past

anthropogenic activity signatures. Awarded Honors at year's end by

Chemistry faculty members.

Paid Research Assistant

Spring

2005

Investigated fate of the antibiotic ciproflaxin in soil as member of five-

person team. Quantified background concentration in 30 different soils with

HPLC. Examined pH effects on iron-ciproflaxin solutions with UV-vis

spectrophotometry.

Research fellow

Summer

2004

Created protocol to test different DNA desorption methods from iron oxides

in order to increase yield of DNA extractions from soil. Employed UV-vis

spectrophotometry and fluorimetry in DNA quantification. Investigated DNA

shearing with sonication and agarose gel electrophoresis.

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

Research Experience for Teachers Program Mentor

Summer 2012

Supervised high school science teacher on art conservation science research

project utilizing scanning electron microscopy as well as curriculum

development. Compared different nanoparticle synthetic methods for

obtaining high quality SERS spectra from dyed art fibers.

Science in the Classroom Program Volunteer

September 2011 - June 2012

Provided monthly hands-on science experiences for a Chicago elementary

school class.

Laboratory Teaching Assistant

Instructed 38 students in general chemistry laboratory techniques.

September 2010 - June 2011

Taught advanced physical chemistry laboratory on Raman and infrared

spectroscopy. Spring 2012

National Relief Charities, Tempe, AZ

Summer 2003

Project Assistant

Implemented programs on Native American reservations to procure aid. Funds

for living expenses awarded competitively through Public Interest Career

Fund to permit volunteer status.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

N.G. Greeneltch, A.S. Davis, N.A. Valley, F. Casadio, G.C. Schatz, R.P. Van

Duyne, N.C. Shah, "Near-Infrared Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (NIR-

SERS) for the identification of eosin Y: theoretical calculations and

evaluation of two different nanoplasmonic substrates." Journal of Physical

Chemistry A, submitted August 14, 2012.

A.S. Davis, N.G. Greeneltch, N.A. Valley, F. Casadio, G.C. Schatz, R.P. Van

Duyne, N.C. Shah, "Developing Near-Infrared Surface-enhanced Raman

Spectroscopy (NIR-SERS) for the Identification of Artistic Dyes."

Scientific Methods in Cultural Heritage Gordon Research Conference in Mount

Snow, VT. July 2012.

E. King, L. Shaw, A.S. Davis, "Maax Na: Layout and Function of a Maya City,

Report on the 2006 field season." Research Reports from the Programme for

Belize Archaeological Project, F. Valdez, Jr., ed., 2007, 109-116.

Occasional Papers, Number 8, Mesoamerican Archaeological Research

Laboratory Austin, TX.

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