Research
June 2021 - present
Assistant Professor in Physics and Optical Engineering
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
July 2019 - June 2021
Postdoctoral Scholar for Dr. Sanjay Krishna
The Ohio State University
November 2018 - May 2019
Visiting Assistant Professor in Physics and Optical Engineering
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
August 2012 - November 2018
Graduate Research Fellow for Dr. Thomas E. Vandervelde
Tufts University
As lead processor for the Renewable Energy and Applied Photonics (REAP) Laboratory, I designed and fabricated III-V and metamaterial devices for photonics applications as well as consulted on process engineering for other lab projects. I utilized Class-1000 clean room facilities at Harvard, UMass Lowell, and Tufts universities for processing (physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, e-beam lithography, photolithography, and etching). In addition, I partially disassembled and rebuilt a VG90 molecular beam epitaxy reactor for the new lab facilities at Tufts. I mentored undergraduates at Tufts in several ways: I designed a curriculum for and ran a summer undergraduate program in the lab, designed labs for an Introduction to Renewable Energy course, and mentored undergrad researchers on independent research projects.
July 2010 - July 2012
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Michael J. Manfra
Purdue University
Utilizing molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in an ultrahigh vacuum environment (UHV), I grew III-V compound semiconductor thin films and nanowire structures for device applications including UV photodetectors and quantum well structures for cascade lasers. The samples were analyzed using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. I assisted in MBE system maintenance procedures, gaining familiarity with many kinds of vacuum systems. As an additional project, I set up a SPEX monochromator with LabView interface for photoluminescence measurements.
October 2007 - May 2008
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Erica Carlson
Purdue University
I developed a dynamic, visual simulation of electron spin interactions for a semiconductor in various lattice formations using Python. The model utilized various Monte Carlo method algorithms for the calculations including the Metropolis algorithm and Gibbs sampling. As part of the simulation, I designed a user interface that enabled real time adjustments to system temperature and magnetic field.
May 2008 - August 2008
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Steven Errede
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. I worked on Prof. Errede’s physics of music project where I measured and compared the acoustic impedance of a plastic and a wooden oboe for several depressed key configurations (corresponding to different notes). To do this, I built op-amp circuits for the measurement microphones and utilized lock-in amplifiers controlled by a MATLAB based data acquisition program. At the end of the summer, I wrote a technical report of the findings and presented the results through an oral presentation to the other REU participants and University of Illinois faculty.
Assistant Professor in Physics and Optical Engineering
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
July 2019 - June 2021
Postdoctoral Scholar for Dr. Sanjay Krishna
The Ohio State University
November 2018 - May 2019
Visiting Assistant Professor in Physics and Optical Engineering
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
August 2012 - November 2018
Graduate Research Fellow for Dr. Thomas E. Vandervelde
Tufts University
As lead processor for the Renewable Energy and Applied Photonics (REAP) Laboratory, I designed and fabricated III-V and metamaterial devices for photonics applications as well as consulted on process engineering for other lab projects. I utilized Class-1000 clean room facilities at Harvard, UMass Lowell, and Tufts universities for processing (physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, e-beam lithography, photolithography, and etching). In addition, I partially disassembled and rebuilt a VG90 molecular beam epitaxy reactor for the new lab facilities at Tufts. I mentored undergraduates at Tufts in several ways: I designed a curriculum for and ran a summer undergraduate program in the lab, designed labs for an Introduction to Renewable Energy course, and mentored undergrad researchers on independent research projects.
July 2010 - July 2012
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Michael J. Manfra
Purdue University
Utilizing molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) in an ultrahigh vacuum environment (UHV), I grew III-V compound semiconductor thin films and nanowire structures for device applications including UV photodetectors and quantum well structures for cascade lasers. The samples were analyzed using x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. I assisted in MBE system maintenance procedures, gaining familiarity with many kinds of vacuum systems. As an additional project, I set up a SPEX monochromator with LabView interface for photoluminescence measurements.
October 2007 - May 2008
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Erica Carlson
Purdue University
I developed a dynamic, visual simulation of electron spin interactions for a semiconductor in various lattice formations using Python. The model utilized various Monte Carlo method algorithms for the calculations including the Metropolis algorithm and Gibbs sampling. As part of the simulation, I designed a user interface that enabled real time adjustments to system temperature and magnetic field.
May 2008 - August 2008
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Steven Errede
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program. I worked on Prof. Errede’s physics of music project where I measured and compared the acoustic impedance of a plastic and a wooden oboe for several depressed key configurations (corresponding to different notes). To do this, I built op-amp circuits for the measurement microphones and utilized lock-in amplifiers controlled by a MATLAB based data acquisition program. At the end of the summer, I wrote a technical report of the findings and presented the results through an oral presentation to the other REU participants and University of Illinois faculty.
Other Experience
April 2016 - October 2016
Intern with the Office of Research Development
Tufts University
As research development intern, I was trained in grant writing best practices and the submission process for NSF, NIH, and foundation grants. I copy-edited grant application materials from PIs for content and compliance as well as gave feedback to PIs on how to improve their applications. I also prepared documents to aid PIs in the submission process (checklists, timelines, biosketches, etc.).
September 2008 - July 2012
Test-Software Engineer
Delphi West Lafayette Verification Lab
I wrote C++ scripts for customer specified test scenarios for antilock brake system controllers. The scenarios were simulated in a PiAutoSim rapid ECM testing environment and I then analyzed the results for error codes. I was responsible for the training and integration of new hires on our team.
April 2010 - January 2011
Student Chair for Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
Purdue University
As the Student Chair for the Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, I managed all local logistics, including overall conference goals, planning, fundraising and budget, and day-of execution strategies. I delegated roles to committee members, monitored their progress, and developed solutions to problems. I organized communications between sister conferences at MIT, the University of Southern California, and North Carolina State University as we broadcasted the keynote speech, given by then-President of Purdue France Cordova, to the other locations.
Intern with the Office of Research Development
Tufts University
As research development intern, I was trained in grant writing best practices and the submission process for NSF, NIH, and foundation grants. I copy-edited grant application materials from PIs for content and compliance as well as gave feedback to PIs on how to improve their applications. I also prepared documents to aid PIs in the submission process (checklists, timelines, biosketches, etc.).
September 2008 - July 2012
Test-Software Engineer
Delphi West Lafayette Verification Lab
I wrote C++ scripts for customer specified test scenarios for antilock brake system controllers. The scenarios were simulated in a PiAutoSim rapid ECM testing environment and I then analyzed the results for error codes. I was responsible for the training and integration of new hires on our team.
April 2010 - January 2011
Student Chair for Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
Purdue University
As the Student Chair for the Midwest Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics, I managed all local logistics, including overall conference goals, planning, fundraising and budget, and day-of execution strategies. I delegated roles to committee members, monitored their progress, and developed solutions to problems. I organized communications between sister conferences at MIT, the University of Southern California, and North Carolina State University as we broadcasted the keynote speech, given by then-President of Purdue France Cordova, to the other locations.