Tania Gautam, PhD Candidate, University of Alberta, Pursuing Industry/Government Postdoctoral Positions

TANIA GAUTAM, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

     Abstract Number: 765
     Working Group: Meet the Job Seekers

Abstract
I am a 5^th year PhD student in the department of analytical chemistry at the University of Alberta (U of A) in Dr. Ran Zhao’s group. I am currently employed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as a PhD intern under Dr. Swarup China’s group in the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) division. Analytical methods such as mass spectrometry are widely utilized in characterization of organic aerosols. My current research at PNNL involves application of nanospray desorption electrospray ionization (nano-DESI) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to acquire molecular level characterization of organic compounds collected on teflon filters during TRACER field campaign in Houston, Texas. My recently published work from my PhD focused on the application of advanced analytical techniques (e.g., iodometry-LC-MS) in determining elusive reactive intermediates such as organic peroxides through novel formation pathways i.e. autoxidation in atmospheric aqueous matrices.

While I was an undergraduate student at U of A, I had amazing internship opportunities at industrial (ALS Global, 2016) and governmental (National Research Council, 2018) institutions. Through this work experience, I have gained hands-on experience in analytical instrumentation including operation/maintenance. I am equipped at data management using software analysis with Igor Pro, R and matlab. Given my background in chemistry, I am looking forward to exploring the application of analytical techniques in determination of reactive radical intermediates (e.g., RO₂, O₂^.-, ¹O₂) originating from biomass burning aerosols. With recent wildfires in North America, I am highly motivated in applying a combination of MS and resonance based methodologies (e.g., EPR) to determine the transformation of radical intermediates by understanding fundamental reaction pathways. My anticipated graduation is May 2024 and I will be available for full time positions starting August 2024 for companies located within North America. Please contact me at tgautam@ualberta.ca