MSA Early Career Committee

Lehigh University, PA

I am a Future Faculty Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Lehigh University. With a B.S. in Physics, I transitioned to Materials Science during my master's, where I began working with multiscale microstructural characterization techniques. My Ph.D. research at the University of São Paulo centered on the physical metallurgy and phase transformations of maraging steels, and I conducted part of my work at Berkeley Lab sponsored by a Brazilian government fellowship. My research lies at the intersection of microscopy and materials science, with a focus on investigating nanoscale phenomena in metallic systems, primarily utilizing electron microscopy while integrating other multiscale microstructural characterization techniques. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, savoring good coffee, and traveling across the U.S. to visit National Parks.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN

I am a first-year Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, working within the Electron Microscopy and  Microanalysis Group (eMMA) at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), where I also performed my postdoctoral work. My research focuses on using cryogenic scanning/transmission electron microscopy (cryo-S/TEM) and related techniques, such as electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), to investigate two-dimensional (2D) and low-dimensional quantum materials, with a particular emphasis on transition metal trihalides. I earned my B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.S. from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland at College Park. During my Ph.D., I used the environmental-TEM (E-TEM) to perform in-situ studies of the catalytic growth of nanotubes and their interfacial interactions. Prior to my doctoral studies, I worked as a Process Engineer at IBM, specializing in photolithography and semiconductor device fabrication. Outside the lab, I enjoy bird-watching, running, and hiking.

NASA Glenn Research Center, OH

I am an early career materials engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. I graduated with my master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, where I researched aerosol jet printing of flexible microelectronics for biomedical devices. In my role at NASA, I study how materials respond to the harsh environment of space and contribute to development and selection of space-durable materials for a range of missions. I hope to help represent early career interests in MSA and engage more early career individuals in M&M.

Process Engineer III at Applied Materials SPG: Metrology

Jake Garcia is a Process Engineer at Applied Materials, located in Santa Clara, CA. After receiving his PhD in Chemistry at Arizona State University working with Scott Sayres where he characterized the femtosecond dynamics of metal-oxide clusters using pump-probe spectroscopy, he transitioned to a postdoctoral appointment at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, CO. At NIST with Ann Chiaramonti, he explored the effects of laser wavelength on atom probe tomography experiments of semiconductor and insulator devices using an extreme ultraviolet light source. After a 3-year appointment at NIST, he moved to Applied Materials and works with the Metrology team to create advanced semiconductor devices with more improved characteristics. In his free time he enjoys traveling, hiking with his dog, Bean, brewing beer, playing sports or exploring new places around town. Fun fact: he’s been skydiving over 20 times!

University of Houston, TX

I am an assistant professor at the University of Houston's Electrical and Computer Engineering department where I work on developing computationally controlled transmission electron microscopy. I began my journey in the field of electron microscopy at North Carolina State University, where I completed my Ph.D in the Materials Science and Engineering department studying the synthesis and aging of platinum automotive exhaust catalysts. Afterward, during my postdoctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, my research expanded to study error correction, compressive sensing, and autonomous data acquisition in addition to exploring new catalyst applications. Within the early career committee, it is my aim to support early career researchers throughout their efforts to find a permanent position and establish themselves within the scientific research community.

University of Virginia

I am an Assistant Professor in the department of Materials Science and Engineering at University of Virginia. I earned my B.S. in Physics at Johns Hopkins University and my Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Stony Brook University. Prior to UVA, I was an NSF MPS-Ascend Postdoctoral Fellow at University of California, Santa Barbara. My research is focused on applying automated and high-throughput methodologies to discover and develop novel materials for extreme environments (high mechanical stresses, temperatures, and radiation fluxes). My research group utilizes procedures derived from ‘self-driving labs’ to guide a microstructural optimization loop through combinatorial synthesis approaches, microstructural modification, and high-throughput characterization. I am particularly interested in developing novel characterization approaches, from in-situ to high-throughput, and applying expertise to a wide-range of characterization techniques, including: X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), small-scale mechanical testing, and thermal analysis (ultrafast nanocalorimetry).

Altria Client Services (Richmond, VA)

I am an early career regulatory scientist at Altria Client Services’ Center for Research & Technology in Richmond, Virginia, working in Regulatory Affairs’ Analytical Sciences Department. I earned my B.S. in Chemistry from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. In my role, I focus on materials characterization for new inhalable products, leveraging analytical microscopy and imaging to understand device architectures and material performance.

Within MSA’s Early Career Committee, I serve on the Professional Development team, where I aim to represent industry perspectives and help build practical, skills?focused programming that engages and empowers early career scientists across the M&M community.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN

I am currently a Postdoctoral Associate at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) at ORNL researching biotic and abiotic interfaces with cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) of bacteria and plants. I earned my Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology from Pennsylvania State University. During my Ph.D. I was a 2022 SCGSR scholar in the Center for Structural Molecular Biology at ORNL focused on the cryo-EM structure of the plant membrane protein PpCesA5. I hope to build bridges between MSA members and beyond to increase access to educational outreach and mentoring experiences.

National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), CO

I am an early career researcher in the Microscopy, Imaging and Characterization group at the National Laboratory of the Rockies. I received my PhD from Cornell University in 2022. My research focuses on using high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) techniques to connect atomic-scale structure and chemistry of materials with macro-scale functional properties. I study materials and devices for microelectronics and neuromorphic computing applications and employ in-situ STEM techniques to characterize device function. I’m excited to support and engage early career scientists from a wide range of institutions in MSA and M&M.

University of California, Berkeley

I am a 5th-year PhD candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at UC Berkeley, working in Dr. Mary Scott’s group. My research focuses on advanced electron characterization techniques, such as cryo-FIB-SEM, EELS and 4D-STEM, to characterize solid-state electrolytes. My goal is to expand the experimental and analytical toolbox available for studying structurally disordered electrochemical materials. I am excited to serve with the MSA Student Council and to help cultivate an inclusive community where researchers from diverse backgrounds can connect, learn, and support one another.

National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), Boulder CO

I am an NRC Postdoctoral Fellow at NIST Boulder. I performed my doctoral research at the Colorado School of Mines, where I studied high-throughput growth of novel pnictide materials and microscopy methods for examining long- and short-range ordering in those materials. At NIST, I develop metrology best standards for microscopy of semiconductor and ultra-wide band gap materials and devices. As part of the ECC, I look forward to helping to strengthen support for early career scientists within the microscopy community.