Bio
I specialize in developing innovative tools for mass spectrometry. I earned my Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Georgia Tech, under the mentorship of Dr. Facundo Fernandez. During my doctoral studies, I focused on creating plasma ionization sources for the rapid testing of volatile samples. These sources were coupled with ion mobility to enhance data dimensionality through an orthogonal rapid separation technique in chemical measurements.
I also played a pivotal role in a comprehensive project that assessed 12 portable tools for quickly identifying falsified pharmaceuticals in low-income countries. This project encompassed laboratory and field testing, cost analysis, and collaboration with various government and non-profit regulatory agencies.
After completing my graduate studies, I pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) under the guidance of Dr. Peggi Angel. During this time, I was awarded both an NIH T32 Training in Oncogenic Signaling Fellowship and an American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship. At MUSC, I developed cutting-edge tools to analyze the chemical composition of collagen produced by cells in culture, utilizing mass spectrometry imaging to spatially map the type and quantity of collagen.
In January 2024, I began a second postdoctoral position at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the Biosciences Division's Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group under the mentorship of Dr. John (Jack) Cahill. In partnership with HP Life Sciences Solutions, I am advancing methods to measure the chemistry of single cells in culture.