Service

In addition to teaching and research, my current role also has me working as an instrument/facility manager for the Department of Chemistry. I am often called in to assist with maintenance and repairs of equipment in our small instrument facility (the Curie Lab) and our mass spectrometry facility (the Mass Spec Lab).

The twelve instruments housed in these two facilities are: two Shimadzu gas chromatography-mass spectrometers (GC-MS), Agilent liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS), Bruker high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS), Perkin Elmer inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), Micromeritics Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analyzer, Shimadzu ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, Elementar elemental analyzer (EA), Horiba fluorometer, Shimadzu atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), TA Instruments thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) & differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).

Curie Lab: Link

Mass Spec Lab: Link

I also work on various renovation and construction projects for our department as well as some public outreach activities.

Repair/Maintenance

Description

I am a capable handyman, and as part of my service component, I specialize in repairing departmental instrumentation and conducting essential preventative maintenance tasks. Over the years, I've accumulated extensive experience by successfully handling a wide range of repairs, particularly focusing on our mass spectrometers and their associated accessories. Whether it's troubleshooting issues, fine-tuning equipment, or addressing any other maintenance needs, I'm well-equipped to ensure the optimal functioning of our instrumentation.

Image Gallery

Replaced turbopump in Agilent LC-MS

Turbopump failed inside HRMS. Had to replace.

Top view inside failed turbopump on HRMS

Turbopump failed inside HRMS (top view). Had to replace.

Replaced push fitting inside nitrogen generator. Was leaky.

Had to replace membrane inside nitrogen generator.

Intake module issue on LC-MS. Had to replace.

Replacing a photohelic pressure gauge on a glovebox. Lots of wires.

Replacing a scuffed collection mirror on the fluorometer.

Replaced compressor relay on explosion proof refrigerator in Hand Lab 3319 and 3312.

Someone broke the inlet port on the AAS. Awfully pricey piece.

When the spray chamber is cruddy on the HRMS, it is time to clean it.

The nebulizer on the HRMS has crystals growing from it...

Found the gas leak on the TGA. It is always the push fittings.

Cannot say that I have ever replaced a RF generator on the HRMS. Have now.

Ever felt like you are defusing a bomb...

Made a plexiglass patch for a glovebox (Hand Lab 3312).

Replaced bad switch in UV light.

Replaced diaphragms in cyrostream controller.

Wheel fell over of liquid nitrogen dewar. Replaced.

Construction/Renovation

Description

My role often involves taking on renovation projects across various laboratories and rooms within the Department of Chemistry. Over time, I've had the opportunity to make significant modifications to nearly all the labs in the department. Since I began my position, I've been entrusted with a diverse range of tasks, including carpentry, demolition, electrical work, pipefitting, plumbing, and fabrication jobs. Whether it's creating new spaces, improving infrastructure, or addressing specific requirements, I've been actively engaged in ensuring our facilities meet the needs of the faculty and staff in our department.

Image Gallery

Lab renovation in Hand Lab 2214

Construction of helium manifolds for NMR Facility in Hand Lab. Built a template to layout manifold.

Construction of helium manifolds for NMR Facility in Hand Lab. Pipefitting on the template board.

Construction of helium manifolds for NMR Facility in Hand Lab. Brazing copper pipe and brass fittings.

Construction of helium manifolds for NMR Facility in Hand Lab. Two manifolds nearly done.

Construction of helium manifolds for NMR Facility in Hand Lab. Manifold mounted to the wall for new 800 MHz NMR.

Construction of helium manifolds for NMR Facility in Hand Lab. Mounted manifold to the wall next to 600 MHz NMR.

Want the steampunk look for your lab? Pipefitting and soldering to provide inert gas to fume hoods and glovebox in Hand Lab 3304.

Want the steampunk look for your lab? Pipefitting and soldering to provide inert gas to fume hoods and glovebox in Hand Lab 3304.

Capping drain lines in Hand Lab 2237. Sealing holes with Quikcrete.

Remodeled projector room above Hand Lab 1100 for lab coat storage. Made racks for lab coats out of black iron pipe.

Remodeled projector room above Hand Lab 1100 for lab coat storage. Added shelving too.

Remodeled projector room above Hand Lab 1100 for lab coat storage. Built staircase.

Remodeled projector room above Hand Lab 1100 for lab coat storage. Built ramp for lab coats to be rolled in on Z-bars.

Renovated Hand Lab 1105 to be a graduate student kitchen. Set and hung cabinets. Set countertop.

Hung up new glass markerboards in Hand Lab 1100.

Hung up new glass markerboards in Hand Lab 1144

Helping out my Anthropology friends! Remodel in Etheridge 226. Cabinetry, electrical, and plumbing.

Installed DI water lines in Hand Lab 2237.

Installed DI water lines in Hand Lab 2228.

Installed DI water lines in Hand Lab 1108.

Running DI waterlines through and along walls in the 3rd floor of Hand Lab

Running DI waterlines along and through walls on the 3rd floor of Hand Lab.

Running DI waterlines along and through walls on the 3rd floor of Hand Lab.

Installed dishwasher in Hand Lab 3323 then again in Hand Lab 2206.

Building lab latticework in Hand Lab 3322.

Mounting latticework in fume hoods in Hand Lab 3322.

Installed latticework in Hand Lab 3312.

Installed latticework in Hand Lab 2241.

I have moved our copy room and mailroom more times than I would like to admit (cabinetry work in Hand Lab 1115).

Renovated faculty kitchen in Hand Lab 1139. Cabinetry and electrical.

Removed old hanging shelves for the Advanced Teaching Labs (Hand Lab 1101).

Hanging new cabinetry for the Advanced Teaching Labs (Hand Lab 1101).

Installing sink in Hand Lab 3319. Cabinets, countertop, waterlines and plumbing.

Only have one 220V circuit but have two pieces of equipment that need it? Installed a selector switch in Hand Lab 3312.

Building simple shelving for chemical storage in Hand Lab 2241.

Building simple shelving for chemical storage in Hand Lab 2241.

There used to be desks here. No longer. Demo in Hand Lab 3312. Cabinetry and electrical.

Installed outlets and new conduit in Hand Lab 2228

Outlet and cooling fan installed in fume hood.

Modified fume hood panels to include fan and outlet in Hand Lab 2217 and 3304.

Removed cabinetry and plumbing in Hand Lab 2206. Also rerouted electrical.

Removed plumbing and rerouted electrical.

Removed cabinetry and plumbing in Hand Lab 2206. Also rerouted electrical.

Built two mailbox cabinets (graduate student mailboxes) for the first floor of Hand Lab. Frame is taking shape.

Built two mailbox cabinets (graduate student mailboxes) for the first floor of Hand Lab. Spacing done.

Built two mailbox cabinets (graduate student mailboxes) for the first floor of Hand Lab. Stained cabinet, installed and anchored to the wall.

Remodeling (mostly cabinetry and countertop work) in Hand Lab 2222. Cabinets removed.

Remodeling (mostly cabinetry and countertop work) in Hand Lab 2222. Heavy countertops removed.

Remodeling (mostly cabinetry and countertop work) in Hand Lab 2222. Put the finishing touches on it. Paint and staining.

Installed backpack hooks in the Advanced Teaching Lab (Hand Lab 2241).

Installed backpack hooks in the Advanced Teaching Lab (Hand Lab 2241).

Remodel in Hand Lab 2217. Removed cabinets and rerouted electrical.

Remodel in Hand Lab 2217. Filling holes in the floor with Quikcrete.

Renovation for new biological chemistry lab (Hand Lab 1103 and 2241). Removed built-in desks to make room for equipment.

Renovation for new biological chemistry lab (Hand Lab 1103 and 2241). Demo to make room for equipment.

Remodel for new autoclave (Hand Lab 2205). Cabinetry removed and new waterline ran.

Stainless steel inert gas lines installed.

Installed stainless steel inert gas lines in Hand Lab 2217.

Built L shaped cabinet for ICP-MS in Hand Lab 2225.

Swapped out 220V outlets in Hand Lab 2233.

Mounted fence to alleyway outside of Hand Lab (south entrance).

Logistics

Description

In addition to my regular responsibilities, I'm occasionally assigned to take care of miscellaneous tasks and logistical work within the department. These tasks can range from moving heavy equipment like gloveboxes in and out of lab spaces to more administrative duties like hanging up signage for departmental events. I've also been called upon to do projects like painting and patching drywall when needed. These diverse tasks not only keep things running smoothly but also contribute to the overall functionality and aesthetics of our department's spaces.