Bio 
I spent 20 years in business and industry prior to attending college and receiving my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Washington. In addition to nine years in the software industry, where I owned my own programming firm, I spent many years as an applications engineer in the electrical industry designing lighting control systems for energy applications. It was during my tenure in the commercial lighting industry that I was first introduced to the global energy market and the pressing need for energy solutions.
In response to the knowledge that long-term solutions would require new technologies and better education I pursued a college career that would allow me to work on the fundamental science of future energy alternatives. After completing my degree at UW, I came to Cornell University to pursue my PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. I am currently in my second year in the program working with Dr. Tobias Hanrath studying quantum dot nanocrystals for photovoltaic applications.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my college experience and it has confirmed for me that I am on the right path. Performing research intended to expand our understanding and use of solar energy is critical to a long-term energy strategy and I am incredibly excited about my work and the opportunities I have been afforded. However, the solution to our global energy needs will require a concerted effort of scientists all over the globe and perhaps the greatest contribution I can make is to educate and empower others to work in this field. It is this philosophy that has caused me to work diligently at improving the educational process for those who follow after me. I have developed computer simulations for use in general physics courses, developed and written content for an online Wiki dedicated to statistical thermodynamics, tutored my fellow students in both math and chemistry, and mentored high school students for a NASA sponsored program where we designed a manned mission to Mars. In addition to my research I look forward to the prospects I have to teach others and excite them about the idea of science and engineering.
When I’m not working feverishly in the lab I relax and refresh through a variety of artistic and sporting endeavors. I have been a musician for 30 years and play my guitar whenever I can manage. Several years ago I had a chance to learn blacksmithing and have worked with the Iron Monkeys, an arts group doing large-scale metal sculpture. These activities, along with an exercise regime that consists mostly of competitive sports like squash, tennis, and softball, help keep me sane and provide what I hope is a unique perspective to my work.
Research
There is growing recognition that solar energy will play a major role in our transition to a sustainable energy portfolio. Although the sun’s energy can be harnessed in many ways, our research in the Hanrath group is limited to photovoltaics (PV), the direct conversion of sunlight to electricity. One of the promising new material systems for PV is nanocrystal quantum dots (NQD), which are traditional semiconducting materials that are only nanometers in size. These quantum dots generate solar energy by exploiting the quantum mechanical effects of matter at the nanoscale. There are many challenges with NQD systems and researchers around the world are working towards a better fundamental understanding of their chemistry and physics, in the Hanrath group our research is specific to a better understanding of the electronic structure of NQD systems.
Although we understand how a nanocrystal generates charge when we shine light on it, our knowledge of the electronic interactions in NQD systems ends there. Once a charge is generated when does it separate from the nanocrystal in which it was created? How does it separate from the originating NQD? What is the role in charge transport of the medium in which the NQD reside or at the interfaces between the different materials that make up a working device? These questions are yet unanswered and are the pursuit of the research that we do in the Hanrath group. Additionally, there are practical challenges whenever we try to manipulate matter at such a small scale.
In our lab we focus on the development of unique structures and device architectures that can be reliably produced in spite of their small scales and will elucidate charge behavior. NQD systems have many advantageous properties: unlike other photoactive semiconductors they can be made to absorb any wavelength of light allowing us to capture more of the solar spectrum; and they absorb light very strongly, allowing for thinner devices that are lighter and use less material. With a better understanding of how to control matter at these small scales, and the impact that has on the electronic structure of a working solar cell, we will move one step closer to fully exploiting the advantageous properties of NQDs.