CV

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(Dual appointment)

Member of an R&D team developing new x-ray microscopy capabilities for the Advanced Light Source. Additionally provided support to research collaborations through tool operation/maintenance.

• Developed existing x-ray tools into microscopy R&D testbeds by designing in-vacuum detector mounting hardware with SolidWorks and coordinating detector software integration.
• Used the testbed to design and execute successful proof-of-concept demonstrations of new reflection-mode microscopy capabilities at the Advanced Light Source.
• Accelerated an open-source PyTorch-based microscopy data processing pipeline ~3x by implementing multi-GPU support on a local 8-GPU server.
• Maintained and operated a high-vacuum x-ray scatterometer tool; diagnosed and resolved sources of vacuum leaks and pressure anomalies.
• Fabricated membrane-based optics using FIB patterning in a cleanroom to support R&D efforts in x-ray coherent scattering.
• Used SEM and EDX to characterize test samples for x-ray microscopy R&D efforts.

Research Fellow

Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Visiting researcher leading a materials-science-turned-instrumentation project investigating magnetic coupling behaviors in ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic bilayers using advanced x-ray absorption spectroscopy methods.

• Improved the sensitivity of an x-ray spectrometer tool by ~8x through photodiode upgrades and resolving sources of measurement artifacts.
• Worked with vendors and internal engineering staff to design hardware changes for upgrading an x-ray detector in an high vacuum XRD tool.

Graduate Research Assistant

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Davis

Member of a deposition-focused research group leading collaborations on lithographically patterned oxide thin film fabrication, characterization, and simulation.

• Optimized processes for epitaxially depositing magnetic oxide thin films with PLD through experimental design and thin film characterization (XRD, XRR, VSM, AFM); fabricated films for collaborations, contributing to 8 scientific publications.
• Collaborated with a electron beam lithography tool owner to pattern oxide thin films into nanomagnet arrays and investigate their geometry-dependent magnetism with x-ray photoemission electron microscopy.
• Used micromagnetic simulations to understand how nanoscale magnetism in patterned films can be engineered through material properties, pattern geometry, and magnetic interactions.
• Owned PLD, AFM, and XRD tools; trained 7 users on tool operation and performing maintenance on optical and vacuum subsystems.
• Developed an automated image analysis pipeline for magnetic microscopy data packaged in a MATLAB-based GUI
• Increased the laser fluence range 2x in a PLD system by implementing a movable lens, enabling new material deposition recipes.

Teaching Assistant

Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, University of California Davis

• Led chemistry laboratory sections with over 20 students, ensuring student safety by providing training on chemical and laboratory safety.
• Planned and led discussion sections teaching students concepts such as electronic/magnetic properties of materials, chemistry, and MATLAB programming

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Developed robotic instruments called active needles to enable minimally-invasive surgical procedures.

• Worked in a team of several students to design a robotic surgical instrument called an active needle, whose design was awarded 2nd place in an ASME engineering design competition.
• Simulated the behavior of an active needle design with shape memory alloy actuators using ANSYS mechanical, resulting in 1 scientific publication.

Motor Transport Operator

United States Army National Guard

• Served as a team member in transportation and artillery teams, adapting to multiple roles (heavy vehicle driver, radio operator, cannon crew member) to support the needs of the unit.

Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering

University of California Davis

• Thesis: Spin Texture Formation in Perovskite-Based Artificial Spin Ice Structures
• Advisor: Prof. Yayoi Takamura

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Advanced Light Source Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellowship

Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Office of Science Graduate Student Research Fellowship

United States Department of Energy

Travel Award to present at the 67th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM)

University of California Davis Graduate Studies

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship

United States Department of Education

Academic Scholarship

Pedrozzi Foundation

Second Place in the Francis Rhodes Montgomery Design Competition

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Hawaii Francis R. Montgomery Foundation