Brandy L. Perkins
1015 Burberry East Dr. Apt. A
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
(765) 449-9145
Email Address:
Education
· Purdue University- West Lafayette, Indiana
- Graduate Student, Department of Analytical Chemistry
- Anticipated Date of Graduation: May 2007
· Southern University A&M College- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Honors)
- Date of Graduation: May 2002
· Baton Rouge Magnet High School- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Date of Graduation: May 1997
Current Graduate Research
· Area: Bio-Nanotechnology
Current research involves building and evaluating chemical and biological architectures via Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy, Ellipsometry, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and the Contact Angle Meter.
Technical Work Experience
· United States Department of Agriculture and Forest Service – Summer 1999
Rocky Mountain Research Station
P.O. Box 8089
Missoula, Montana 59807
Area: Fire Chemistry
Research involved using gas chromatography to analyze smoke samples from forest fires for toxins.
· United States Department of Agriculture and Forest Service – Summer 2000
GCRCC, U.S. Federal Building
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-4292
Area: Urban Forestry
Research centered on the measurement of urban air quality based on the presence of particular species of trees by characterizing their leaf samples.
· Purdue University Materials Engineering Summer REU Program – Summer 2001
1289 Materials Science and Engineering Building
Purdue University-West Lafayette Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1289
Area: Nanotechnology
Research involved functionalizing carbon nanotube tips for Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy characterization of cell membranes.
· Southeastern Dental Research - 2000-2002
2467 American Way
Port Allen, Louisiana
Area: Dental Chemistry
Research involved analyzing toothpaste for efficacy using bovine and human enamel.
· Graduate Teaching Assistant - 2002-present
Purdue University Department of Chemistry
560 Oval Drive
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2084
Work involves teaching the recitation and laboratory requirements of a section of the general chemistry course. Courses taught include: CHM 111, CHM 115 and CHM 116.
Accomplishments and Affiliations
· The 55th National Pittsburgh Conference Convention Oral Presenter (2004)
· NIH Grant for Diversity in Biomedical Science in Graduate School (2003-2004)
· Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship (2002-2003)
· All-American Scholar (2002)
· NAACP Student Affiliate (2002-present)
· National Organization for Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers(NOBCChE),
Local and National Member (1997-present)
Awards: Technical Presenter Southwest Regional Convention-1st place (2002); Technical Presenter National Conference-1st place (2001)
· National Organization for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
High Tech Expo Oral Presenter, Chemistry Division - 1st place (2002)
· American Chemical Society Student Affiliate (1997-present)
· Louisiana TOPS Scholarship (1998-2002)
· Timbuktu Academy Scholarship (1997 – 2001)
· Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. “Top Scholars” Scholarship (1997)
· Southern University Honors College Senior Honors Thesis (2001)
Special Training
· Nanoscience Research Summer School – Argonne National Laboratory (2003)
· Ability to develop Black and White Film
Experience: Photojournalist-The Southern University Digest (1997-2001); Photo-editor (1999-2000)
· Certified American Red Cross Lifeguard (Expire-2006)
Experience: A. C. Lewis Branch YMCA- lifeguard/swimming instructor (1995-2001)
· CPR for the Professional Rescuer (Expire-2004)
Volunteer Experience
· National Chemistry Week Volunteer
- DOW Chemicals (1996-1999)
- NOBCChE, Southern University Chapter (2000-2001)
- Iota Sigma Pi, Purdue University Chapter (2002-2003)
o Volunteer Coordinator (2003)
· St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church Lector (2003-present)
· Southern University Chemistry Club Tutoring Service (1999-2001)
· Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church (SFX)
- Youth Lector (1997-2002)
- SFX School After School Tutoring and Enrichment
Program Coordinator (1999-2001)