Arghya Sarkar
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
- Material, analytical and physical chemist with 5+ years of experience in metrology techniques, optical setups, lasers, synthesis, data driven process optimization and R&D.
- Expertise in statistical process control (SPC), design of experiment (DOE) data-driven decision-making, building optical setups, high-throughput experimentation, analytical characterization for process development and yield improvement. Proficient in SEM, Raman, and over 7 different ultrafast and steady-state spectroscopy techniques.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, troubleshooting, and leadership abilities with extensive attention to detail. Highly adaptable with continuous learning mindset.
- Proven ability to lead experimental research, solve challenging process engineering issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement innovative solutions.
- Published author with manuscripts (1 published, 1 accepted, and 2 more in preparation) in peer-reviewed journals, showcasing cutting-edge research in material science
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, USA
01.2020 - Current
- Engineered novel surface-enhanced femtosecond stimulated Raman (SE-FSRS) setups to investigate plasmon-molecule interactions.
- Involved building entirely new optical setup and writing LabVIEW codes from scratch
- Optimized synthesis of plasmonic nanomaterials, including nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPoM) cavity and gold film over nanospheres (FONS) substrates
- Employed UV-Vis, SEM and TEM techniques to characterize plasmonic nanomaterials and get structural information
- Conducted ultrafast surface enhanced Raman (SERS) studies to compare different classes of plasmonic nanomaterials and determine efficiency using design of experiments (DOE)- Manuscript currently in preparation
- Applied statistical and data-driven design decisions to analyze experimental data, enhancing reproducibility and scalability of plasmon driven reactions- Manuscript currently in preparation
- Collaborated with other groups to characterize and probe chiral plasmonic nanomaterials using circular dichroism microscopy setups to explore optical activity of nanomaterials
- Involved building new circular dichroism microscopy setup
- Performed troubleshooting and maintenance of class IV pulsed laser systems: addressing mode lock issues and amplifier replacements, while ensuring compliance with safety protocols
- Analyzed raw data and compiled 300+ reports for weekly meetings and conferences using statistical processing tools (Igor, Python and Excel), ultimately creating actionable data-driven insights
- Conducted targeted literature searches to produce informed decisions
- Mentored researchers in spectroscopy techniques, ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis
Public Relations Officer, Joint Safety Team
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, USA
01.2023 - 08.2024
- Organized safety audits and walk throughs, ensuring compliance with laboratory protocols across the department
- Made 10+ posters every year to highlight proper safety protocol while working in laboratory setting
Lab Data and Manuscript Managing Office
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, USA
08.2020 - 08.2022
- Managed at least 15 publication related information within the lab such as data, manuscript, SI, figures and kept them up to date
Treasurer
Bengali Student Society of Minnesota
Minneapolis, USA
08.2019 - 05.2022
- Managed budgets and organized cultural events twice every year, fostering community engagement
General Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, USA
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Instructed and mentored 50+ students per semester in guided-inquiry laboratory experiments, emphasizing safety and technical communication
- Tutored general chemistry students, 4-6 hrs./week
Research Assistant
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
Kolkata, India
01.2016 - 05.2019
- Synthesized and characterized 5+ organic semiconductor-inspired molecular assemblies and investigated opto-electronics properties
- Conducted UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy to probe aggregation-induced changes in optical properties
- Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.
Summer Research Intern
University of Göttingen
Göttingen, Germany
06.2017 - 08.2017
- Performed fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to determine diffusion coefficients in biological systems.
- Streamlined data analysis by utilizing statistical software tools for better interpretation of research findings.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D. - Chemistry
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN04.2025
Master of Science - Chemistry
Indian Institute of Science Education And Research (IISER)
Kolkata, India06.2018
Skills
- LabVIEW
- Igor Pro
- Python
- MATLAB
- JMP
- SQL
- LaTeX
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Illustrator
- Blender
- Gaussian
- Linux
- Pump-probe laser spectroscopy
- Raman Imaging
- Transient absorption
- Optical activity
- Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
- Optical Parametric Amplifiers
- Fiber optics
- Grating filter
- Prism compressor
- Plasmonic nanoparticles synthesis
- Plasma cleaning
- Spin coating
- Organic syntheses
- Schlenk line
- UV-Vis
- FTIR
- NMR
- Fluorescence microscopy
- Circular dichroism
- Cyclic voltammetry
- Chromatography
- SEM
- Raman
- XRD
- AFM
- TEM
- Technical reports
- Experiment documentation
- Research publications
- Presentations
- Clark-MXR ultrafast laser
- Mode lock issues
- Fiber optic laser systems
- Systematic troubleshooting
- Data analysis
- Statistical processing
- Optical characterization
- Laser operation
- Research methodology
- Technical writing
- Equipment maintenance
- Team collaboration
- Project management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Academic presentations
- Self-directed and motivated
- Literature reviews
- Academic research
- Research design
- Research and analysis
- Presentation development
- Scientific communication
- Problem-solving
- Quantitative and qualitative analysis
- Running experiments
- Publication preparation
- Quantitative analysis
- Laboratory testing
- Data coding and analysis
- Strong work ethic
- Data modeling
Presentations
- 2024, Annual physical society (APS) March meeting, Poster presentation, Probing ultrafast plasmon-molecule interactions using surface-enhanced femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy
- 2024, MRSEC (Materials research science and engineering center), University of Minnesota, Poster presentation, Scalable Boundary Element Modeling of Chiral Nanophotonic Environments
- 2022, 21st Annual Graduate student research symposium, University of Minnesota, Oral presentation, Probing plasmon mediated chemistry using surface enhanced femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy
Leadership And Teaching
- Public Relations Officer, Joint Safety Team, UMN, 01/01/23, 08/31/24, Organized safety audits and walkthroughs, ensuring compliance with laboratory protocols across the department.
- General Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant, 08/01/19, 05/31/21, Instructed and mentored 50+ students per semester in guided-inquiry laboratory experiments, emphasizing safety and technical communication., Tutored general chemistry students, 4-6 hrs./week.
- Lab data and manuscript managing office, 08/01/20, 08/31/22, Managed publication related information within the lab such as data, manuscript, SI, figures and kept them up to date.
- Treasurer, Bengali Student Society of Minnesota (BSSM), 08/01/19, 05/31/22, Managed budgets and organized cultural events, fostering community engagement.
Academic Awards And Scholarships
- Nominated for Doctoral Dissertation fellowship (DDF) 2023 award., Ranked among the top 11 applications out of 75 applicants in the department.
- Nominated twice for outstanding General Chemistry Teaching Assistant award., 2020 and 2021
- Awarded 'Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research' (INSPIRE) fellowship, Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, (2013-2018).
- Awarded 'DST Mentorship Grant' - 2017 fellowship, by IISER Kolkata, for summer internship at University of Gottingen, Germany.
Publications
- Sarkar, A.; Koble, M.; Frontiera, R. R., Plasmon driven chemistry., Annual Review Physical Chemistry, 2024, Manuscript accepted
- Sarkar, A.; Yu, Z; Frontiera, R. R., Probing vibrational energy dynamics in plasmonic nanomaterials using ultrafast Raman thermometry., Manuscript in preparation
- Sarkar, A; Koble, M.; Frontiera, R. R., Continuous wave vs pulsed laser mediated plasmonic reduction of methyl viologen., Manuscript in preparation
- Warkentin, C. L.; Yu, Z.; Sarkar, A.; Frontiera, R. R., Decoding Chemical and Physical Processes Driving Plasmonic Photocatalysis Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopies., Acc. Chem. Res., 2021, 54, 10, 2457-2466, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00088
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Bengali
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Public Relations Officer, Joint Safety Team
University of Minnesota
01.2023 - 08.2024
Lab Data and Manuscript Managing Office
University of Minnesota
08.2020 - 08.2022
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Minnesota
01.2020 - Current
Treasurer
Bengali Student Society of Minnesota
08.2019 - 05.2022
General Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant
University of Minnesota
08.2019 - 05.2021
Summer Research Intern
University of Göttingen
06.2017 - 08.2017
Research Assistant
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
01.2016 - 05.2019
Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D. - Chemistry
University of Minnesota
Master of Science - Chemistry
Indian Institute of Science Education And Research (IISER)