Chemistry

I’ve designed, synthesized, and analyzed small molecule organics, monomers, polymers, and self-assembled monolayers for use as functional coatings for a variety of applications: conformal coatings for protection of electronic assemblies, charge storage devices, light-emitting materials, and biomedical research.

At HZO, Inc., I lead a team in developing chemical-vapor deposition (CVD) and other types of conformal coating materials, as well as evaluating these coatings for fundamental properties and functional performance with a cross-functional team with a variety of engineers, scientists, technicians, and other personnel.

I worked for nearly six years at ACI Technologies, Inc., where I managed projects involving electronics manufacturing translational technology for products to be used by the US Navy. At ACI, a large percentage of my time was involved in failure analysis of electronics products and manufacturing processes.

During my ASEE/NRL Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in China Lake, CA, I worked with Drs. Jennifer and David Irvin on the synthesis and analysis of electroactive polymers in advanced charge storage devices. I synthesized a variety of heterocyclic aromatic systems and their electronic properties were evaluated as n-type conductive polymers.

I completed a Ph.D. in Chemistry under the advisement of Dr. Aaron Harper in the Donald P. & Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA, with my dissertation: “Design and syntheses of polymeric materials for visible and near-infrared emitting applications.” In my research, several classes of polyphenylene-type polymeric materials were synthesized according to several different design parameters, with the end results of each being able to sensitize lanthanide chelates, which emit energy in the visible and/or near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The goal of this research was to create materials that would emit in the near-infrared. The first set of materials was para-meta linked polyphenylene-type polymers with pendant terpyridine groups to which europium complexes were bound. The second set was para-meta linked polyphenylene-type polymers with various pendant beta-diketonates to which europium complexes were bound. The third set was para-meta linked polyphenylene-type polymers with various pendant beta-diketonates to which erbium-porphyrinate complexes were bound.

I designed polymers and organic ligands with specific structural properties that led to the desired photophysical properties. These structure-property relationships also led to the pendant groups to which the lanthanides would be datively or covalently bonded to the polymer. Upon this foundation, the third group of materials reached the goal of having polymeric materials that emitted energy in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

For two years prior to graduate school, I synthesized therapeutic candidates as a Research Technologist in the Organic Synthesis Core Facility at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville with Dr. Abdul Fauq in Jacksonville, FL, targeting muscular, neurological, and neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the compounds were a variety of small molecule organics, including amino acid, caffeine, inositol, peptide, and sugar derivatives, as well as some larger molecules, such as peptide nucleic acid oligomers.

I’ve authored over twenty technical publications, including one book. My research emphasizes materials design, instrumental analysis, and organic synthesis. My foundation in the rational design and structure-property relationship studies aids in developing new technologies from the molecular level.

Ran a consulting company, Clancy & Associate Technical Services LLC, in Draper, UT, which provided practical solutions to development, manufacturing, and process issues related to electronics, coatings, and instrumental analysis, as well as technical marketing and instructional documents.

At ACI Technologies, Inc., in Philadelphia, PA, I provided chemistry expertise relating to failure analysis and process recommendations for commercial analytical and manufacturing services.

At the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), Materials and Chemistry Division, Polymer Science and Engineering Branch, in China Lake, CA, I designed and synthesized of heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic conjugated polymers for use in electro-optical devices, photovoltaics, and advanced charge storage devices (supercapacitors).

At Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, in Jacksonville, FL, I synthesized carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, monomers and oligomers of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) via solution or solid-phase synthesis.

At Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., in Jacksonville, FL, I assisted pharmacists in the filling of prescriptions, along with instructing, operating, and providing support for a UNIX-based prescription filling system.