(363v) Identifying and Overcoming Scaleup Bottlenecks Via Process Intensification and Reaction Engineering for Continuous Flow Systems in Pharma, Water, and Specialty Chemicals

The research I have conducted can be summarized as process optimization and reactor design. Whether it was fabricating novel adsorbents from valorized agricultural waste for water treatment or designing a biopharma relevant CO₂ initiated diffusiophoretic colloid separator, I have the experience to look at a process holistically and then formulate solutions to overcome bottlenecks. My current work focusses on scaling up photochemical reactors by eliminating the photon transfer limitations observed in traditional batch and flow photoreactors. Appreciative of the mentorship I have received along the way, I strive to give back to the profession by leading the next generation of scientists and engineers. During my PhD career I have volunteered to lead 11 student projects and have mentored over 20 individuals, ranging from high school students to WPI seniors. I cherish the opportunities I have had to develop engineers and look forward to continuing to work in a collaborative environment post-graduation.

Research Interests

Employing photons as a reagent in chemical reactions is not a novel concept. But has been limited because of challenges highlighted in Beer’s law. As the path length of the light increases the intensity of the light reaching the reactants decreases exponentially. When external illumination is employed, photon gradients are generated and lead to nonuniform reaction conditions and less desirable kinetics. My work goes against the paradigm and employs internal volumetric illumination through the creation of a packed bed reactor filled with wireless micro light emitting diodes (μLED-PBR). Reactants trickle over the μLED bed creating a thin film over the light source. The result is a quasi-homogenous environment with uniform illumination. Two types of chemistries have been carried out in the reactor, a multiphasic photooxidation reaction and a single phase metallophotoredox cross-electrophile coupling reaction. Beyond the rate enhancements observed, the μLED-PBR can be scaled without penalty of decrease illumination, and more efficiently uses photons.

Leadership within Chemical Engineering

Beyond the lab I have dedicated my PhD to diversifying science. From my own experiences I recognize that first generation students may not be aware of chemical engineering and graduate school. For this reason, for the last two years, as our department’s Chemical Engineering Graduate student Organization (CEGO) outreach organizer I have lead our outreach initiatives with groups such as the Latino Education Initiative (LEI) and the Girl Scouts of America. One of the demos we perform, “Introduction to Chemical Engineering Through Bath Bombs”, is one that I designed after seeing the popularity of bath bombs on social media and realizing infusing pop culture with chemical engineering is one way to excite students while growing the profession.