Aaron K. - Postdoctoral Research, Chemical Science Division

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Oakland, United States

Experience

Apr 2025 - Present

8 months

Postdoctoral Research, Chemical Science Division

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

Conducted surface sensitive operando experiments on fabricated metal and metal oxide surfaces to study transient and short-lived surface chemistry
Collaborated with a global organization to develop next generation XPS image sensors with time resolution six orders magnitudes faster than current state-of-the-art CCD detectors

Jun 2023 - Aug 2023

3 months

Eugene, United States

Summer NSF REU Mentor

University of Oregon

Mentored a NSF REU student in particulate photoelectrochemical research and synthesis by meeting three days a week, lecturing on pertinent chemistry and physics, and guiding the student through laboratory experiments

Nov 2021 - Jun 2023

1 year 8 months

Eugene, United States

Undergraduate Research Mentor

University of Oregon

Mentored an undergraduate student in photoelectrochemical research by meeting three days a week, lecturing on pertinent chemistry and physics, and guiding the student through laboratory experiments

Sep 2021 - Mar 2022

7 months

Eugene, United States

Mathematics and Physics Tutor

University of Oregon

Assisted college students in 60 minute, individual, and small group sessions covering a variety of topics in mathematics and physics by giving supplemental lectures and working through homework examples
Conceptualized and enhanced students’ understanding of abstract topics using metaphors and analogies or implementing a Socratic style of instruction
Tutored two undergraduate students for one-hour sessions, once per week, through their physical chemistry coursework by working through their lectures and homework examples

Sep 2020 - Mar 2025

4 years 7 months

Graduate Research, Department of Chemistry

University of Oregon

Conducted comprehensive multimodal experiments to elucidate the primary mechanisms governing charge separation in PEC devices
Collaborated with a global network of scientists and technical experts to advance PEC research
Operated and managed a range of advanced materials fabrication equipment, including e-beam and thermal PVD, ALD, and DC/RF sputtering systems, while supporting other researchers by authoring four detailed training manuals and standard operating procedures
Managed the Bruker AFM at the University of Oregon, facilitating collaborations with corporate partners and graduate researchers, contributing to published studies, and customizing the instrument to advance state-of-the-art research for graduate research projects

Oct 2019 - Aug 2020

11 months

Austin, United States

Applied Physicist

Nanohmics Inc.

Enhanced an electric field mapping array to measure 5 micron pixel electric field strengths for cellular studies by minimizing components and collaborating with a FET manufacturer
Studied a self-ordering etch mask as a substitute for an electron beam lithography process which saved a minimum of 9 hours
Presented an adsorption model for a 16 sensor chromatographic column by analytically solving a mathematical representation of lateral ion concentrations
Created a thin-film disintegration observation apparatus that saved $120 and 2 hours per sample by substituting a light scatterometry for a scanning electron microscope

Jan 2019 - Jun 2019

6 months

Eugene, United States

Mathematics and Physics Tutor

University of Oregon

Assisted college students in 60 minute, individual, and small group sessions covering a variety of topics in mathematics and physics by giving supplemental lectures and working through homework examples
Conceptualized and enhanced students’ understanding of abstract topics using metaphors and analogies or implementing a Socratic style of instruction
Tutored two undergraduate students for one-hour sessions, once per week, through their physical chemistry coursework by working through their lectures and homework examples

Jan 2019 - Jun 2019

6 months

Eugene, United States

Research Assistant

University of Oregon

Calculated fundamental platinum-InP interfacial parameters from over 2000 data points to understand the interfacial physics of the junction by fitting experimental data to the ideal diode equation using a novel python program
Imaged topography and conducted current/voltage experiments on nanoscopic structures to characterize material and interfacial properties using a Bruker AFM
Determined atomic makeup of and imaged structures smaller than 100 nm in diameter using a Zeiss SEM with EDS capabilities
Designed experimental chemical cell fixtures from the material PEEK and simulated fabrication to decrease the design cycle by over two months through virtually designing these fixtures in Fusion 360

Jun 2018 - Aug 2018

3 months

Beaver Dam, United States

Mechanical Engineering Intern

A&B Sealer Inc.

Finished a two-year bottle packager project which included multi-bottle capability with maintenance and servicing in mind by scheduling weekly meetings with shop mechanics and working with third party part suppliers to determine component compatibility
Constructed assemblies in SolidWorks with greater than 500 parts which included sheet metal, milled, and extruded parts
Standardized parts to decrease cost and simplify assemblies by designing universal and necessary specialty parts

Jan 2018 - Dec 2018

1 year

Eau Claire, United States

Undergraduate Research Assistant

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Produced the first illuminating green Organic LED at UW-EC which demonstrated magneto resistive properties and an exponential current voltage response
Fabricated OLEDs using only in-house instruments by abridging a procedure once used at a larger university and retrofitting this procedure to utilize available resources

Feb 2016 - Dec 2018

2 years 11 months

Eau Claire, United States

Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

Asserted leadership in daily practice culminating in a 4th place finish nationally by engaging with athletes during drills and maintaining a scrupulous eye for detail regarding defensive strategies
Conveyed drill focuses to athletes and strategized with the coaching staff five days a week by clearly communicating coaching expectations and vision