profile picture

Dexter A

- Research Program Mentor

MS at University of California Davis (UCD)

Expertise

Chemistry/Biochemistry Machine Learning, Open Source Software Development and Spectroscopy (and combining all of those fields together)

Bio

I am a recent graduate passionate about applying next-gen data science techniques to improve processes and draw novel insights from unusual data. I have experience in a range of disciplines including computer science, statistics, chemistry, chemical engineering, and biomanufacturing. I recently completed a Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering with the thesis topic "Removing Bottlenecks in Research Workflows: Improving SERS Sampling and Computational Zeolite Experiments through the Application of Machine Learning and the Construction of Custom Data Pipelines". I enjoy exploring the outdoors in my free time. I am currently living in Davis California, but I frequently go home to the Bay Area on the weekends to explore the nice hikes there. I also enjoy working on my own personal coding projects and learning new things.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Applying machine learning to interpret the Raman spectra of mixtures

Raman spectroscopy is an emerging, non-destructive analytical technique useful in-line bioprocess monitoring. A major barrier to its widespread deployment is the challenge interpreting the spectra of mixtures. Advanced computer vision algorithms have shown considerable promise in improving the interpretation of these mixture spectra, yet advances in this area are limited due to the lack of freely available Raman mixture datasets. Software can be used to generate synthetic Raman spectra, allowing for the creation of large datasets needed to assess the performance of computer vision algorithms. There is limited research in this area and it would be an exciting, inexpensive project to explore spectroscopy, machine learning, software development and biopharmaceutical production.

Coding skills

Python, MATLAB, SQL,

Teaching experience

I have extensive teaching experience in a variety of areas and levels of expertise. After completing my undergraduate degrees, I took a year break from school and I tutored middle school and high school students in science and math. I then went into graduate school where I took on six separate teaching assistant roles. As a TA I taught a variety of courses including the Design of Coffee, Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering and Thermodynamics.

Credentials

Work experience

Genentech (2021 - Current)
Pharma Technical Operations: Digital Sciences Data Science Intern
Allstate (2020 - 2020)
Data Science Intern
Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (2015 - 2015)
VFP Student Intern
University of California Davis (2018 - 2021)
Graduate Student Researcher

Education

Columbia University
BS Bachelor of Science (2017)
Chemical Engineering
University of California Davis (UCD)
MS Master of Science (2021)
Machine Learning and Chemical Engineering

Interested in working with expert mentors like Dexter?

Apply now