Prathima Kapa
211 W
Arizona Apt 4 Ruston,
LA 71270 (318)497-2195 kapa_prathima@yahoo.com
Education
September 2005-Present
Masters of Science
·
Major: Molecular Sciences & Nano Technology
o
GPA
: 3.8/4.0
o
Graduated
in June 2007
September 2000- May 2004
Bachelors in Technology
·
Major: Chemical Engineering
o
Graduated
in 2004 with High Distinction ( Top 1% in Chemical Engineering, Class of 2004,
Professional Experience
September 2005-July 2007 Institute for Micro-manufacturing (IfM), LATECH
Research Assistant
·
Researched
Biosensors and Chemical Sensors and Microcantilevers with experience in
Scanning Probe Microscopy.
·
Modification
of Au-coated cantilever surfaces using different polyelectrolyte substances
using surface conjugate chemistry.
·
Study
on the mechanisms of the enzyme including Acetylcholinesterase, Organophorous
and Calmodulin for their modification on the cantilever surfaces to detect
Acetylcholine, Paraoxon and Calcium ions.
·
Extensively
used Spectrometric techniques like HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV, NMR and QCM with good
weighing and pipetting skills.
·
Developed
the protocol for the Moisture sensor
project
·
Expert
knowledge in various electroplating techniques on Cantilever surfaces
especially worked on Electroplating of Aluminum.
·
Study
on the effects of various factors on Electroplating of Aluminum on Cantilever
surfaces including thickness, Voltage and time.
·
Review
work for the improvement of sensitivity of cantilevers.
·
Expert
knowledge in use of various Instruments for measurement including Centrifuge,
Frequency Analyzer, Oscilloscopes, Function Generator, Optical Lever System,
Flow meters, Mass flow controllers, Pressure gauges, pH meters and all
chemistry instruments.
Experience
June
2003- August 2004 Energy Solutions Ltd.,
Summer Intern
· Involved in the project “Cross-Country Pipeline System”.
· Simulated the pipeline project using “Pipeline Studio software”.
· Learned to build-up pressure pipelines, Leakage proof pipelines.
Project Experience
Masters Project .Institute for Micro-manufacturing (IfM), LATECH
SENSYDYNE,
Alumina-Based Microcantilever Sensors for the
Detection of Low moisture in Natural Gas
Goal
of the project is to develop an optimized low ppm level, low-cost moisture
detection system. Micro
Cantilevers are found to be having great potential in detecting moisture with extreme
sensitivity. The optical signal of
cantilever deflection due to increase in mass is converted into frequency
signal and it is further analyzed using frequency analyzer. These sensors are
applicable in Gasoline Industries and Household applications.
· Involved in designing the protocol including the set-up for the
experiment, leakage proof connection of pipes, proper selection of pressure
handling pipes, maintenance of Flow meters and preparation of vacuum chamber
for the cantilever sensor for frequency measurement.
· Involved in all chemical and physical
processes including identifying suitable of substance as a detecting material,
Deposition method on cantilever, optimized thickness of the substance, surface
modification if necessary through Electroplating and dilution of gas with low
ppm levels of moisture.
· Adjusting the laser beam on the cantilever tip using Scanning Probe
Microscopy and Optical Signal Data Analysis was done using Bench link Data
Logger software by HP.
Bachelor’s Project Center
for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB)
(Dec 2003-April 2004)
Manufacture of Single Cell Protein.
Goal
of the project is production of single cell protein using deoiled rice bran.
The advantage could be in solving the problem of shortage of food supply
especially protein with the increase in population. Application of
Biotechnology principles for the pretreatment and use of waste materials like
Deoiled Rice Bran.
· CCMB is a premier multidisciplinary Research
& Development organization of the Government of India.
· A simple process was designed involving Pretreatment, Fermentation, and
Separation processes.
· Involved in the design of the Fermenter with suitable assumptions
maintaining optimal conditions.
· Budgetary Estimates involving economic evaluation calculations for the
project and pay back period were done.
Relevant Coursework
Master’s
·
Principles
in Cell and Molecular Biology, Nanosystems Modeling, Instrumental Analysis,
Fundamentals in Micro Fabrication Process, Innovative Venture Research.
Bachelors
·
Fluid mechanics, Unit
Operations, Transport Phenomena, Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, Analytical
Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Environmental methods, Chemical Reaction Engineering,
Optimization methods, Biochemical Engineering, Process Control, Material and
Energy Balances, Mass Transfer, Statistical Methods.
General Skills
Computers
· Relevant Software’s Used: Molecular Modeling which includes Molecular Dynamics
and Monte-Carlo Simulations, Quantum Mechanics.
· General Software knowledge: C, .Net, Java, SQL database, MS-Word, MS-Excel,
MS-PowerPoint, MS- Access, Windows, HTML, XML and simple Networking.
· Excellent Team player, good communication skills and documentation
skills.
Leadership & Team Work Skills
· Participated and ranked 2 in the business plan competition conducted by
As a part of Innovative venture research team, conducted
and created the market search for “Hallosyte Nanotubes” which is a very new
technology developed by Research faculty of LATech. Conducted the search on
Cosmetic Industries and summarized the findings into a potential product
application of nanotubes in cosmetic industries. Contacted several
representatives of major cosmetic and perfume manufacturing companies.
· Excellent Team player, good communication skills and documentation
skills.
References
· Provided upon request