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Professional Science Experience

2005 - present (consultant)

2001 - 2004

Joined Aeroprobe Corporation, Inc., Blacksburg, Va., as an Engineering Technician. This position involved assisting with the development, design, and building of pc boards, cabling, and modules for the data collecting system for the sensor probes built by Aeroprobe employees at Texas A and M. These probes measure the velocity and magnitude of flow in water, air, or gases. I traveled to Bilbao, Spain in July, 2004, to repair and train customer lab personnel to repair the probes. Their probe requirements necessitated the re-calibration of the sensors very often, thus the need for their training. This work requires AutoCad drafting applications, soldering, and assembly with microscopic and miniature tools using top quality procedures.

2000 - 2001

Haleos (formerly ACT Microdevices, Inc.), Blacksburg, Virginia. Supervisor/manager of the PM (Polarization Maintaining) arrays group. I had no experience with fiber optics but learned very quickly to build and test the components myself. After three weeks, I had to formally take over the supervision and management of the PM program. In January, I was also given the SW (Optical Switch) group to manage and maintain a production delivery schedule with, although they were still in development. I was responsible for all activities carried out by the manufacturing workforce. This included insuring good employee morale, attendance, and conducting periodic performance reviews. I also made sure that the employees were well-trained, productive, and produced quality product in a safe environment. I also assured the implementation of the ISO9000 quality guidelines set by the company, tracked work in process, set priorities, and scheduled daily work activities to meet the monthly revenue goals. As improvements to processes were made, I also assured that each employee was retrained to meet the quality requirements for the product. I also assisted the sales staff with quotes and pricing of PM products. During the month of December, 2000, I conducted a time study for PM processes for the sales and production control group. I traveled several times, as necessary, to Scotland, leaving the same day I was asked to go, to personally deliver and support the customer’s purchased product.

1998 - 2000

Recruited by World Physics Technologies Inc., Blacksburg, Va., as a Senior Scientist to assist with the development of new projects in their grant supported small business. In January 1998, I traveled with an associate to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to work for three days in the eV Products, II-VI Corporation to learn how to process and test crystals for semi-conductors. When the crystal material was unavailable on our return, I was assigned to learn AutoCAD version 14.1, to edit and revise drawings for a Race-Track Microtron detector, and to make new drawings for the same machine. Also took Solid State Physics class at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to learn about crystal and semiconductor materials. When crystals became available, I processed them as required. This involved photographing each crystal with digital photography, mapping and photographing with infrared photography through a macroscopic lens, cutting the crystal with a wire saw, polishing the crystal to .05 micron with aluminum oxide papers and wheel, and gold plating the crystal for testing. Testing involved conductivity resistance testing with a Keithley electrometer and spectroscopy with an eV Products test fixture, high voltage power supply and amplifier, signal readout, and Aptec spectra acquirement software.

1994 - 1998

Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg Virginia. -Research Specialist Senior. Assisted Drs. Al Abashian, Kazuo Gotow, and Leo Piilonen with the research and development of RPC (Resistive Plate Counter) detectors and superlayers (RPC/readout pad assemblies) for the Belle particle detector. Trained and supervised 8 to 10 lab personnel and students in assembly, epoxy, soldering, and wiring techniques for the completion of the project. Maintained top quality standards by quality control and inspection. Traveled and provided oral and written reports as necessary. Wrote processes and maintained documentation. Traveled to Sendai, Japan to train personnel at Tohoku University. Traveled to Japan in November 1997, built superlayers and assisted with the installation of the superlayers into the iron skeleton of the detector.

1991 - 1994

Self-employed, Radford, Va. - Electronics assembly and repair - also professional artist for commissioned or independent paintings and book illustrations. Also in school full time to acquire my Master of Fine Arts degree.

1988 - 1991

Microcomputer Systems, Inc., Blacksburg, Virginia. Production Supervisor. I built all new prototype designs before production while writing process and doing lead layout. As scheduling permitted, I coordinated with outside contractors for stuffing and soldering circuit boards and maintained required inventory for these operations. I also maintained and organized inventory for electronics production and the system serial number for each unit.

1989

Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg Virginia. -Research Consultant-Contracted in autumn 1989 to create and experiment with methods for repair of damage to the Amy research detector in Japan. In collaboration with Virginia Tech members of the Amy group, techniques were approved and a time frame for repair set.During August and September 1989, an assistant and I made the necessary repairs to the detector on site in Japan.

1985 - 1988

Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg Virginia. Collaborated with Drs. Al Abashian, Kazuo Gotow, and members of the Amy group in scheduling and constructing the AMY particle detector. Coordinated with inside and outside university research associates on all phases of assembling and testing the gas tubes, plate counters, read-out pads, electronics, and cabling toward completion of this project, kept records, made drawings for manuscripts and transparencies, made computer generated graphics, and scanned displayed physical events.

1983 - 1985

International Scientific Industries, Inc., Christiansburg, Virginia. Promoted to production supervisor and coordinator after three months in production. Established and supervised the department for the production of servo system amplifiers, power supplies, and servo systems as a complete unit. My department also built electronic circuitry control cards, commutation, power and motor power cables. Also made engineering revision modifications as necessary.

1971 - 1982

Electro-Tec Corporation - KDI, Blacksburg, Virginia. Hired into the wire-winding department - trained to wrap wire around lead-wires onto a center shaft to begin slip rings. Moved into the SRAM (Short Range Artillery Missile) department where I did lead layout on flanges that I then cast with plastic to form a shield over the leads that would be machined for fitting into a housing. I was then advanced into the Trident Missile department where I worked on parts for its guidance system. When this contract finished, I was advanced into the Model Shop where I worked on prototype projects and assisted engineers with trouble-shooting parts and projects for NASA, i.e. Galileo, Voyager, Ball Brothers, Singer, Kollmorgen, and more. I was NASA certified for soldering and quality assurance inspection required for maintaining top quality standards in all projects.

Education

Radford University, Radford, Virginia. Master of Fine Arts (with honors)- May 1994. Painting, Printmaking, and Ceramics.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. Bachelor of Arts – (with honors) May 1991. Studio Fine Arts.

Brighton Polytechnic Institute, Brighton, England. June, 1991. Study abroad.

Sussex University, Sussex, England. June 1991. Study abroad.