Education
University of Jyvsäkylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, 2003–2006
M.S. in Physics, minors in Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics, April, 2006
New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL, USA, 2001–2003
B.S. program in Physics
B.A. program in Chemistry
Simon’s Rock College of Bard, Great Barrington, MA, USA 2000–2001
B.A. program in Physics
Research Experience
Nano-Electro-Chemical-Opto-Mechanical Systems (NECOMS) Laboratory, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, 2005–2006 (research advisor: Dr. Jorma Virtanen) Investigation of CdS nanoparticle fabrication kinetics. Devised novel methods of highly monodisperse CdS nanoparticle formation at room temperature. Assisted in the development of a computer-controlled microfluidic system for liquid-phase nanoparticle synthesis.
Superconducting Quantum Bit (SQUBIT) Group, Nanoscience Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, 2004 (research advisor: Dr. Sorin Paraoanu)
Assisted in the acquisition, analysis, and presentation of switching data for SQUBIT devices. Designed and implemented data capture and analysis software programs in LabView and Matlab. Designed and built control and acquisition hardware systems for triggering and measuring switching events.
Chemistry Department, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL 2002 (research advisor: Dr. Paul H. Scudder)
Analysis of a species of local, exotic-invasive yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) for presence of pharmaceutically useful compounds using continuous extraction techniques and infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultraviolet chromatographic characterization.
Biology Department, Simon’s Rock College of Bard, Great Barrington, MA 2001 (research advisor: Dr. Donald Roeder)
Investigated the effects of selected compounds on the mycelial growth of the fungus Pluerotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom).
Employment
BOLT Systems–Long Beach, CA
Photonics Instructor Nov 2007–present
Teaches accredited courses on lasers and optical principles, conducts training in laser safety and optical handling, writes and prepares course materials, assists in the production of computer-based training modules.
MAPS–Ben Lomond, CA
Research Coordinator 2007
Prepared study materials for IRB and FDA approval, database work, web programming.
Bernard Productions–New Orleans, LA
Audio Engineer 2003
Operated audio equipment for professional live music events in the New Orleans area for events including the New Orleans Jazz Fest and French Quarter Festival.
New College of Florida–Sarasota, FL
Laboratory Assistant 2002–2003
Repaired and maintained equipment for maintaining inert atmospheres. Set up, tested and operated a computerized electrochemistry analyzer. Conducted routine laboratory operations including preparing solutions for student laboratory courses, maintaining equipment, identifying unknown compounds, conducting safety inspections and instructing students in laboratory equipment usage.
YMCA Cape Cod–Sandwich, MA
Camp Counselor 2001
Supervised groups of 12 five- and six-year-olds. Planned activities, taught swimming lessons, conducted guided nature walks, gave musical instruction.
Simon’s Rock College of Bard–Great Barrington,MA
Audio Engineer and Technician 2000–2001
Maintained, set up, and operated audio systems for concerts and speakers including mixers, amplifiers, speakers, microphones, public address systems, digital and analog signal processors and DAT recorders.
Software Programs
E. S. Blair. SQUBITAnalyze.m. A suite of Matlab programs to analyze and present SQUBIT device switching data.
E. S. Blair. SQUBITAquire.vi. A Labview program to acquire switching data from SQUBIT devices over a GPIB interface.
Presentations
Blair, E. S. 2006. Solution-Phase Fabrication of Quantum Dots: Microfluidic methods. Graduation Seminar, University of Jyväskylä–Jyväskylä, Finland.
Blair, E. S. 2005. Size Control of Semiconductor Nanoparticles: Reverse micelles and macrocyclic capping agents. Graduate Research Presentations, University of Jyväskylä–Jyväskylä, Finland.
Skills
Languages: English (native), intermediate to advanced Spanish, intermediate Finnish, basic German, Polish, and Mandarin.
Computer Languages: C, C++, Python, Visual Basic, BASIC, High Level Assembly, Java, FORTRAN, Matlab, Labview, HTML.
Operating Systems/Software: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows NT, UNIX (Solaris, AIX, etc.), GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, DOS, Origin, gnuplot, Apache webserver, SQL, MySQL, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Sound Forge, MS Office suite, Open Office, COMSOL Multiphysics/Femlab, Mathematica, LaTeX, emacs.
Other Computer Skills: digital signal processing, audio processing, hardware upgrade/ maintenance, software maintenance, system administration, typing speed: 80WPM.
Laboratory Skills: clean room techniques, microfluidics, inert atmospheres, electron microscopy (SEM & TEM), electron beam lithography, soft lithography, chemical vapor deposition, photoluminescence spectroscopy, natural product chemistry, organic synthesis, colloidal chemistry, NMR, GC, MS, IR/vis./UV spectroscopy, light scattering techniques, atomic force microscopy, computerized data collection, vacuum pumps/vacuum systems, autoclave usage, gel electrophoresis, plant tissue culture, myco-culture, sterile technique, analogue-digital/digital-analogue devices, signal processing, electrochemical analysis, the ability to understand and work from technical documentation.
Other Skills: Soldering, welding, electronics repair, bicycle repair, metalworking, carpentry, mechanical equipment maintenance, audio mixing.
Memberships in Societies
American Physical Society Feb. 2006–Present
