Education:

2001           Ph.D. in Chemistry, majoring in Polymer Chemistry. Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia. Ph.D. thesis topic: "Transport and Thermodynamic parameters of novel glassy polymers with high free volume."
Thesis advisor: Professor Yu.P. Yampolskii.

1997           M.S. in Chemistry. M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Chemistry, Russia. Master Thesis topic: “Synthetic polyelectrolyte 2,5-ionene in reaction of enhanced chemiluminiscence in immunoassay analysis.” During Master candidate program following biochemical classes were taken: Fermentative Kinetics and Catalysis, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Engineering Enzymology.
Thesis advisor: Dr. E.M. Gavrilova.

1996           Industrial training (6 weeks): at Immunotek® Co., Moscow, Russia. Immunoassay analysis (UV-based detection) using different types of microplates; enzyme and conjugate handling.

Work Experience:

2005-Present:  Howard University, Department of Civil Engineering.
--------------------Postdoctoral Researcher

Development of microfiltration (MF) membranes with improved biofouling resistance- membrane surface modification via grafting; gas-liquid membrane contactor in bioreactor for ground water decontamination and purification; employment of nanofiltration (NF) in removal of surfactants-containing saline solutions.

2001 – 2005    New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
       --------------Laboratory for Membrane Separations
-------------------Post Doctoral Fellow

Thin film composite membrane fabrication by interfacial polymerization, membrane grafting modification in order to improve membrane hydrophilicity; characterization of these membranes by microscopy (AFM, SEM), ultrafiltration, gas, liquid and vapor mass transfer. Studies in membrane contactor system (flat membrane and hollow fiber): mass transfer accompanied by reversible/non-reversible chemical reaction. Development of dense thin polymer coatings for polymeric-based heat exchanger application.

☼ I have developed novel polypropylene supported Thin Film Composite (TFC) membranes for ultrafiltration/nanofiltration application with high quality hydrophilic selective layer. Liquid membranes for CO₂ separation having promising combination of permeance and selectivity have been obtained. I have carried out extensive work on mass transfer through a membrane, accompanied by fast chemical reaction. A dense polymeric coating for a heat‑exchanger application was developed (patent application has been filed).

1997 - 2001     Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Moscow
                        Laboratory of Membrane Gas Separation,
                        PhD candidate

Extensive study of novel highly gas permeable polymers: mass-transfer parameters and sorption thermodynamics, free volume estimation, thin polymer film preparation and characterization.

Extensive study of novel highly gas permeable polymers: mass-transfer parameters and sorption thermodynamics, free volume estimation, thin polymer film preparation and characterization.

☼ I have thoroughly studied novel polymers such as polyacetylenes, amorphous teflons AF and cardo polyimides.

☼Mass transfer parameters of the new highly permeable polymers have been systematically studied and characterized with respect to structure relation. Poly[1-phenyl-2-[p-(triphenylsilyl) phenyl] acetylene] has been found to have high permeability coefficients of 10²-10³ Barrer and extremely large element of free volume (EFV) of 1000 ų. Thermodynamics of sorption of gases and organic vapors in perfluorinated dioxol copolymers has been studied for very wide range of sorbates, which made possible to clarify some well known relations of sorption thermodynamics in polymers. Systematic study of non-solvent treatment of cardopolyimides’ films has shown substantial improvement of transport parameters of such films.

1995 – 1997    M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
                        Department of Chemistry
                        Laboratory of Enzyme Engineering

The Master Diploma’s subject is “Reaction of enhanced chemiluminiscence in immunoassay analysis.” Immunoassay Analysis, gel-filtration and dialysis of antigens, antibodies and conjugates with HRP and their immobilization on solid surface for immunoassay analysis; UV spectroscopic and chemiluminescence (ELISA) detection of antigens and antibodies, including detection of thyroxin in serum human blood.

☼Substantial increase of chemiluminescent signal in ELISA detection system has been achieved by introducing synthetic polyelectrolyte 2,5-ionene in the reaction sphere.

Academic experience:

Spring semester of 2004. Adjunct professor at Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, lecturing on “Fluid mechanics in bio-systems”. The course has been developed.

Industrial experience:

2001. Wimm-Bill-Dann Corp.

Technical expert of juice production: QC of intermediate and final product quality, supervision of compounding implementation, control of incoming ingredients.

1998-1999 Mega Pack Inc.

Engineer-technologist of carbonated beverages: QC of intermediate and final product quality, supervision of compounding implementation, control of incoming ingredients.