Curriculum Vitae
Last updated February 17, 2022
Research and Education
Postdoctoral Research Associate (May 2022 - Present)
School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Australia
Supervisor: Scientia Prof. Justin Gooding
Research: Diazonium Electrochemical Aptamer-Based Sensors for Vancomycin
Overview: Given the unpublished nature of this work, I am unable to share specific results at this time. However, for an introduction to E-AB sensors, please refer to the following resource here
Doctor of Philosophy (March 2018 - January 2022)
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury
Supervisor: Prof. Alison Downard
Co-supervisor: Prof. Martin Allen
Thesis: Covalently-Bound Organic Modification of Transparent Metal Oxides: Effects on the Chemical and Electronic Surface Properties
Abstract: This thesis describes the chemical modification and characterisation of SnO2 thin-films and nanostructures and of β-Ga2O3. Due to the native OH termination of the metal oxide surfaces, SnO2 and β-Ga2O3 exhibit surface band bending. Previous work in our research group has found that the OH coverage on metal oxide surfaces correlates with the amount of band bending at the surface. Bare SnO2 and β-Ga2O3 surfaces exhibit downwards and upwards band bending, respectively, and the electron density at the surfaces can be increased by the formation of terminal OH groups on exposure to the atmosphere. Increased electron density results in greater conductivity, while a decrease in electron density makes the surface insulating. The OH coverage of metal oxides is highly susceptible to environmental changes, which can alter the conductivity at the surface and is undesirable for some transparent semiconducting devices. One approach to reducing the influence of the environment on OH coverage and changes in band bending is to coat the surface. Modification of SnO2 using covalently bound molecules has previously been investigated; however, no reports on the deliberate modification of β-Ga2O3 could be found. There has been very little investigation on chemically altering metal oxide band bending and none at all on β-Ga2O3. This work investigates the effects on band bending when aryldiazonium ions, aryliodonium ions, phosphonic acids, and Na2S are used to modify the (101) surface of SnO2 thin-films, (001) surfaces of SnO2 nanotubes, and the (–201) and (010) surfaces of β-Ga2O3.
Full abstract available on request.
Visiting Researcher (November 2018 - December 2018)
Department of Physics, University of Auckland
Supervisor: A/Prof. Nicola Gaston
Overview: A visiting researcher for 6 weeks where the fundimental computation techniques for surface modifications were learnt. This work ended up being one chapter in my thesis.
Summer Research Internship (November 2017 - February 2018)
Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury
Supervisors: Prof. Matt Watson and A/Prof. Catherine Bishop
Topic: Ultra-High Temperature Electrolysis to Produce Titanium
Overview: Conducted thermodynamic calculates relating to the electrolysis of slag and evaluate Thermo-Calc as a viable software package for this.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (March 2017 - December 2017)
Graduated with a First Class Honours
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury
Supervisor: Prof. Alison Downard
Co Supervisor: A/Prof. Mark Staiger
Thesis: Novel Coatings for Improving the Corrosion Resistance of Mg Biomedical Implants
Abstract: This study looked at the functionalisation of Mg using aryldiazonium chemistry to decrease the corrosion properties of the metal and successfully modified the surface.
Summer Researcher
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury
Supervisor: Prof. Richard Hartshorn
Topic: Deliberate boxes and accidental wheels
Overview: Summer researcher during my first year at UC to develop lab skills in organic/inorganic wet labs.
Bachelor of Science (March 2014 - December 2016)
Major in chemistry and mathematics
GPA: 8.51 (out of 9)
Publications
See my current publications here
Work Experience
Postdoctoral Research Associate (May 2022 – Present)
Development of an electrochemical aptamer-based based biosensor
Research Associate (2022 – Present)
University of Canterbury
Senior Laboratory Supervisor (2017 – Present)
Syft Technologies, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Senior supervisors for 200, and 300-level synthetic and analytical/physical chemistry lab courses
- Team leader for fellow teaching assistants and students
- Requires extensive knowledge of organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical techniques
- Link to video about my experiences
Science Summer Internship | SYFT Technologies, Christchurch (2016 – 2017)
School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury
- Expanding the customer and in-house chemical catalogue used for SIFT-MS instrument.
- This involved using chemical knowledge to prepare and handle a range of chemicals.
- Modification, repairs, and maintenance on instruments were also required for certain non-volatile compounds and if damage had occurred.
Private tutor (2015 – 2018)
AHeadStart, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Tutoring high school students in maths, statistics, chemistry, physics, and biology.
- Responsibilities include one-on-one tutoring, using clear and precise communication, being able to answer questions, knowledge of the topic, keeping up to date with the current curriculum and knowledge of exam and assignment layout, whilst setting reachable targets, homework, and project timelines for the student.
Presentations
| Date | Conference | Location |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | 72nd Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry | Virtual/Jeju Island, Korea |
| February 2021 | MacDiarmid Institute Annual Symposium and Future Leaders Programme 2021 | Rotorua, NZ |
| November 2020 | Materials@UC 2020 | University of Canterbury, NZ |
| November 2020 | Postgraduate Showcase Symposium | University of Canterbury, NZ |
| September 2020 | 71st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry | Virtual/Belgrade, Serbia |
| November 2019 | Postgraduate Showcase Symposium | University of Canterbury, NZ |
| April 2019 | 21st Australia and New Zealand Electrochemistry Symposium | Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia |
| February 2019 | 9th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology | Wellington, NZ |
| Novemeber 2018 | MacDiarmid Institute Annual Symposium and Future Leaders Programme 2018 | Auckland, NZ |
| January 2018 | Summer Research Scholarship Conference | University of Canterbury, NZ |
| November, 2017 | Postgraduate Showcase Symposium | University of Canterbury, NZ |
| August, 2017 | Postgraduate Poster Presentation | University of Canterbury, NZ |
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
Selected Honours and Awards
| Date | Award |
|---|---|
| Decemeber 2020 | Outstanding Demonstrator/Teaching Assistant Award |
| March 2018 | MacDiarmid Institute Postgraduate PhD Scholarship |
| March 2018 | University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship |
| December 2017 | C. E. Fenwick Prizes in Chemistry |
| February 2017 | Water Jones Scholarship |
| March 2014 | University of Canterbury School Leavers Scholarship |
Key Skills
- Determined to always learn more
- Self-aware and resilient
- Public presentation
- Teacher, leader, and team member
-
First Aid Certificate
- Electrochemistry
- Mott-Schottky analysis
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
- SEM, TEM, STEM, and EDS
- Synchrotron experience
- Atomic force microscopy
- Synthetic chemistry
-
Micro/nanofabrication
- VASP
- GAMESS
- Microsoft Office
- NOVA
- Fusion 360
- ChemDraw
- Adobe suite
- Blender
- IGOR Pro
- LaTeX
- Python
- MATLAB
Interests, Clubs, and Other Achievements
- Four Completed Experiments using XPS and NEXAFS on the Soft X-ray Beamline (2018-2021) - Australian Synchrotron, Melbourne, Australia
- Volunteer - COVID19 Responce - Student Volunteer Army
- President (2018-2020), Vice President (2017), Secretary (2016) and Committee Memeber (2015) - University of Canterbury Chemistry Society (ChemSoc)
- Student and ChemSoc Representitive (2017-2018) - New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC), Canterbury Branch
- Brewing Master (2017-2018) - University of Canterbury Homebrewing Society (BrewSoc)
- Manager and Player (2014-present) - University of Canterbury Hockey Club
- Volunteer Leadership Expedition, School Building (2012) - Thailand and Cambodia
- Hiking - New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand