CURRENT POSITION & EDUCATION

University of South Carolina
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

RESEARCH SUMMARY
My research is focused on developing and applying computational methods such as first-principles calculations and machine-learning methods to design, predict, and understand new and functional materials.

Ph.D., Physical Chemistry, 2009 - 2014
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA.
Adviser: Jean-Luc Brédas

B.S., Chemistry, 2004 - 2008 
Mathematics (minor) 
University of Central 
Conway, AR.

Physical Chemistry (Ph.D.)
Adviser: Jean-Luc Brédas

Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA.

July 2014

Chemistry (B.S.)

Mathematics (minor) University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR.

May 2008

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Postdoctoral Researcher
Adviser: Matthias Scheffler

Fritz Haber Institute 
of the Max Planck Society
Berlin, Germany

Present § Development of high-throughput methods and statistical learning methods for the computational screening of new n-type and p-type oxides.

May 2015 – Present

Postdoctoral Researcher
Adviser: Weitao Yang

Duke University
Durham, NC

Investigated the random phase approximation-based methods to model excited states and non-covalent interactions in organic semiconductors.

Nov. 2014 – May 2015

Graduate Research Assistant
Adviser: Jean-Luc Brédas

Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA

Developed an understanding of the limitations in DFT and implemented improvements through non-empirically tuning for modeling charge transport in single-molecule, finite molecular, and bulk systems.

Aug. 2009 – Nov. 2014

Research Assistant
Adviser: Patrick Desrochers and Micah Abrams
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

Synthesized and modeled organic ligands and inorganic compounds for hydrogen storage applications.

May 2005 – May 2008
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellowship

September 2016 – Present

67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Attendee (Chemistry)

2017

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Award

2015

BAEF Fellowship (declined)

2014

Finalist NREL Director’s Fellowship

2014

College of Sciences Doctoral Student Professional Development Award

June 2013


Presidential fellowship recipient at Georgia Tech

August 2009 – May 2013

Presidential scholarship recipient at UCA

August 2005 – May 2008

Arkansas Challenge scholarship recipient

August 2004