Resumé: Science

HIGHLIGHTS

• Extensive hands-on experience of planning and executing radiotracer analysis, reactor and cyclotron irradiations, operating relevant instrumentation and analytical software for data analysis.
• Knowledgeable of licensing requirements and procedures for radioisotope purchase.
• Proficient in presenting scientific data and results via oral and written scientific works.
• Skilled in programming with FORTRAN, C++ and Visual Basic.

EDUCATION

• PhD, Nuclear Chemistry, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA, 2007 (Thesis: Studying fusion reactions for effect of PCN on heavy nucleus formation and for nuclear structure effects, Advisor: Dr. Walter Loveland)
• MSc, Inorganic Chemistry (distinction, 2nd in university), Mumbai University, India, 2002
• BSc, Chemistry (distinction), Mumbai University, India, 2000

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Post-doctoral research fellow, Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, NSW, Australia. Supervisor: Dr. Gerry Triani (Oct 2009-Jun 2010)
  • Evaluating the structure – function relationships in thin films and porous materials for innovative use in industrial applications using radiotracer probes synthesized with reactor and cyclotron produced radioisotopes.
• Post-doctoral research fellow, Institute of Materials Engineering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, NSW, Australia. Supervisor: Dr. Suzanne Smith (Jul 2007-Sep 2009)
  • Designing and executing high-throughput radiotracer assays using reactor and cyclotron produced radioisotopes to assess the structure – function relationship of novel materials for medical, industrial and environmental applications.
  • Responsible for ordering, purchase, cataloging and distribution of radioisotopes and knowledgeable of licensing requirements and procedures.
• Graduate Research Assistant, Chemistry Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA. Advisor: Dr. Walter Loveland (2003-2007)
  • Prepared Zn targets using electroplating technique for irradiation in cyclotron.
  • Radiochemical Solvent Extraction for separation of As and Ge from fusion products.
  • Prepared samples for neutron activation and performed quantitative analysis.
  • Analyzed data using FORTRAN and PAW (Physics analysis workstation).
  • Handled LSC, alpha, beta and gamma counters and participated in Radio Immunoassay and Nuclear spectrometry experiments.
• Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory trainee, Institute of Science, Mumbai, India. Supervisor: Dr. Z. R. Turel (2002-2003)
  • Prepared solid and liquid samples for irradiation in reactor.
  • Used beta and gamma spectrometers for data analysis.

PUBLICATIONS

• “An investigation into transition metal ion binding properties of silk fibers and particles using radioisotopes“, Rangam Rajkhowa, Radhika Naik, Lijing Wang, Suzanne V. Smith, Xungai Wang. J App Pol Sci 119(6), 3630 (2010).
• “Metal binding properties of novel wool powders”, Radhika Naik, Guiqing Wen, Dharmaprakash MS, Sabrina Hureau, Akira Uedono, Xungai Wang, Xin Liu, Peter G. Cookson, and Suzanne V. Smith. J App Pol Sci 115(3), 1642 (2010).
• “Measurement of the Fusion Probability, PCN, for the Reaction of 50Ti with 208Pb”, R.S. Naik, W. Loveland, P. H. Sprunger, A.M. Vinodkumar, D. Peterson, C.L. Jiang, S. Zhu, X. Tang, and E.F. Moore, P. Chowdhury. Phys Rev C 76, 054604 (2007).
• “The sub-barrier fusion of 9Li with 70Zn”, W. Loveland, A. M. Vinodkumar, R.S. Naik, P.H. Sprunger, B.Matteson, J. Neeway, M. Trinczek, M. Dombsky, P. Machule, D. Ottewell, D. Cross, K. Gagnon and W.J. Mills. Phys Rev C 74, 064609 (2006).

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

• Role of nanoporosity in metal binding properties of wool powders, Materials and Australian Ceramics (MAC’09) conference, Surfers Paradise, Australia (July 2009).
• Metal binding properties of powdered silk, Materials and Australian Ceramics (MAC’09) conference, Surfers Paradise, Australia (July 2009).
• Metal binding and porosity of Eri and Mulberry silk powders: a comparative study, Inorganic Chemistry (IC’08) conference, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand (December 2008).
• Metal binding properties of powdered wool vs commercial resins, Inorganic Chemistry (IC’08) conference, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand (December 2008).
• Silk powders – metal binding properties and their potential for controlled drug release, Centre for Antimatter Matter Studies (CAMS) workshop, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia (November 2008).
• Metal binding properties of powdered wool, 7th International Conference on Nuclear and Radiochemistry (NRC7), Eötvös University, Budapest, Hungary (August 2008).

AWARDS AND AFFILIATIONS

• David P. Shoemaker Memorial Fellowship (2005-2006) and the Benedict award (2004-2005) from the Department of Chemistry, Oregon State University.
• American Nuclear Society (ANS, 2006-Present)
• Radiochemistry Society (2006-Present)
• Women in Nuclear (WIN) Global (2006-Present)
• Indian Association of Nuclear Chemists and Allied Scientists (IANCAS) (2006-Present)

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Experienced in using Genie, Apex and Maestro radioanalytical software.
• Proficient in FORTRAN and C++ and some experience of Java, Visual Basic.
• Experienced in using PAW, SRIM, UPAK for data analysis and in working on Linux and VAX-VMS workstations.
• Well-versed in use of LabView, Mathematica, MS Office suite (with MS Project).