Connor Riahin, Ph.D.
Greenbelt,MD
Summary
Dedicated and focused project management specialist with eight years of experience, excelling at multitasking and following through to achieve project goals. Flexible and detail-oriented team player with expertise in effective communication, project planning, and technical presentations.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD
06.2024 - 11.2024
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team of computational chemists and engineers on multiple projects simultaneously, delivering nanoparticle expertise to the Sultana Lab.
- Formulated and deployed plans for creating multifunctional gas sensor platform incorporating composite nanomaterials as sensing elements.
- Developed composite nanomaterials designed to sense ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapor at ppb levels, with future plans to include a total of eight gases.
- Communicated findings at weekly team meetings, suggesting alternative design options to improve device performance.
Intern
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Secured approval for new research project by developing comprehensive project plan and collaborating with environmental health and safety to enforce safety controls at multiple levels.
- Procured over $20,000 worth of new equipment and chemicals, coordinated with suppliers to meet purity requirements, and secured timely delivery.
- Drafted or adjusted various SOPs to reflect enhanced chemical handling, preparation, and safety protocols.
- Reduced the fabrication time of a prototype spectral imager from three months to one week by improving efficiency.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, UMBC
Baltimore, MD
06.2017 - 12.2023
- Collaborated within a multi-lab interdisciplinary team under a DOE grant to develop deep-red to near-infrared fluorescent polymer nanoparticles for application as super-resolution fluorescent probes in studying plant cell membrane nanodomain interactions.
- Conducted research yielding three peer-reviewed publications, with an additional publication in progress, one patent secured, and an invitation to the NSF I-Corps program to investigate product commercialization.
- Trained and mentored over a dozen undergraduate and junior lab members during my academic tenure.
- Showcased research findings at multiple scientific conferences, including the inaugural ACS Polymer Colloids Symposium.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemistry
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD12-2023
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD12-2016
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Continuous professional development
- Technical presentations
- Process optimization
- Safety compliance
- Laboratory knowledge and experience
- Equipment procurement
- Presentation skills
- Problem solving
- Mentoring junior staff
- Effective written and oral communication
- Inventory control
References
Dr. Zeev Rosenzweig
- zrosenzw@umbc.edu
- 410-455-2521
Dr. Marcin Ptaszek
- mptaszek@umbc.edu
- 410-455-2264
Dr. Peter Snapp
- peter.snapp@nasa.gov
- 224-723-3506
Timeline
Research Assistant
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
06.2024 - 11.2024
Intern
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
06.2023 - 05.2024
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, UMBC
06.2017 - 12.2023
Ph.D. - Chemistry
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
Frostburg State University
Similar Profiles
Adriano GugliottiAdriano Gugliotti
Scientific Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterScientific Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Allison PayneAllison Payne
Post-Baccalaureate Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterPost-Baccalaureate Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Kolten JarrettKolten Jarrett
Technology Program Management, Advisor at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / PeratonTechnology Program Management, Advisor at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / Peraton
Shamelle WestShamelle West
Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator at NASA at Barrios TechnologyExecutive Assistant/Project Coordinator at NASA at Barrios Technology
Ocdalys Vasquez PerezOcdalys Vasquez Perez
Itinerant Special Education Assistant at PGCPSItinerant Special Education Assistant at PGCPS