Work Experience

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
January 2024 - Present [Scientist IV]
July 2020 - December 2023 [Scientist III]

I am Principal Investigator on several science and technology development projects, including research on advanced instrumentation, methods, and deep learning informed data processing. I lead a significant, multi-year project to develop and upgrade EMSL’s flagship 21 Tesla FT-ICR mass spectrometer, with tasks including hardware and software development, scientific research, and project management. I couple novel ionization sources and electronics to FTMS instrumentation, develop new methods for NMR and MS analysis for complex organic mixtures, lead efforts to improve sample preparation, laboratory automation, AI-informed automatic instrument optimization, and co-develop sophisticated new data processing software, including CoreMS.

I also support a range of scientific investigations with both EMSL users and other scientists at PNNL, using both MS and NMR. These include analysis of natural organic matter, including soil, water, and aerosols, as well as research in metabolomics and proteomics. Key topics include understanding effects of fire or drought on soil chemistry, origin and fate of biomass burning aerosols, mineral-organic matter interactions, as well as understanding metabolic processes in complex systems and characterization of proteoforms within biological tissues. Roles include experiment design, measurements, analysis, and report writing. In this position, I also mentor and support junior scientists.

• Work Profile

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
January 2019 - July 2020

I used solution state NMR and ultra-high resolution FT-ICR MS to study complex mixtures and systems, including soils, aerosols, and plant metabolomics. I worked on a variety of user projects at this Department of Energy user facility, supporting high level research conducted by world leading scientists around the United States and rest of world. I also conducted research in methodology development, including sample preparation and separation, instrument development, and software and data analysis. I led and participated in our efforts to improve the ability to analyze these complex systems with rigor and depth. My experience with the sophisticated hardware and software involved, and my ability in chemical and data analysis, uniquely supports my efforts collaborating at various levels within and outwith the lab.

University of Edinburgh, UK
School of Chemistry
October 2018-Decemebr 2018

I led research efforts begun during my doctoral studies in Edinburgh, training and supervising graduate and undergraduate students in complex mixture analysis. I conducted research into organic matter, metabolomics studies, and further Scotch Whisky related research. This gave me the opportunity to more fully handover my previous work and support our industrial sponsor’s efforts in information transfer.