RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Currently working on surface modification of magnetite nanoparticles for cancer therapeutics and diagnosis. Modified and characterized nanoparticles with PEG and folic acid for in vitro testing.

Mentor: Professor Miqin Zhang, MSE

Contributed to design and building of Professor Zhang’s Lab, MUE 187.
Developed functionalized low K dielectric mesoporous thin films as part of a team at PNNL. Contributions include modification of sol-gel/surfactant chemistry, development of improved silylation to increase surface hydrophobicity, and design of first prototype silylation reactor.

Mentors: Suresh Baskaran, Ph.D. and Jerome Birnbaum, Ph.D., PNNL

Worked to toughen octacalcium phosphate coatings through mineralization chemistry modification.

Mentor: Allison Campbell, Ph.D., PNNL

Processed and characterized glass seals during the development of high resistance spark plugs for new clean burn engines.

Mentor: Larry Chick, Ph.D., PNNL

PUBLICATIONS

Zhang Y, Kohler N, Zhang M. Surface modification of superparamagnetic nanoparticles and their intracellular uptake. Submitted to Biomaterials, (2001).
Zhang Y, Kohler N, Zhang M. Materials Research Symposium Proceedings, Spring 2001.
Baskaran S, Liu J, Domansky K, Kohler N, Xiahong L, Coyle C, Fryxell G, Thevuthasan S, Williford R. Low dielectric constant mesoporous silica films through molecularly templated synthesis. Advanced Materials 2000; 12(4):291-294.
Co-author on two Patents Filed, 1998 and 4 Continuation in parts Filed 1999.

Transmission Electron Microscopy: Characterization of nanoparticle size, agglomerate structure, crystal structure (electron diffraction), and cellular uptake. Phillips 400 and Topcon 002B TEMs.
Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy: Characterization of nanoparticle and self-assembled monolayer chemistry, atomic oxidation states, and stoichiometry. Topcon 002B TEM.
X-Ray Diffraction: Characterization of nanoparticle crystal structure and particle size. Phillips PW1830 X-Ray Diffractometer.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: Characterization of nanoparticle and self-assembled monolayer surface chemistry via KBr and attenuated total reflectance techniques. Nicolet G Series Bench.
Scanning Electron Microscopy: Characterization of cellular morphology. JEOL 5200 SEM.
Confocal Microscopy: Characterization of nanoparticle uptake via fluorescent probes. Leica Spectral Confocal Microscope.
Cell culture: In vitro evaluation of candidate modified nanoparticles in targeted cell lines. UWEB Tissue Culture Lab.

Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering. University of Washington, June 2000.

Present: Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
1998 to September, 2000: Biomaterials and Microelectronics Fellowship at Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
1997: Ceramic Engineering Fellowship at Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
1994-1996: Cashier, Ernst Home Center. NO PLANS TO CONTINUE THIS WORK FURTHER.