Alana Byrd

Experience

• 

  Christian Brothers University

  Sept 2014 - May 2018

  Assisting research professor to increase the amount of adsorption of metal ions for wastewater treatment by modifying rice hulls. Responsible for coming up with a synthesis to modify the rice hull, designing the apparatus for the treatment, making solutions, determining the capacity and regeneration capabilities of the modified rice hull, and getting results by spectrometer. Provide educational guidance and support to students each semester in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Responsible for charging/discharging books, shelving, and keeping library neat and organized.

  • Research Assistant

    Jan 2017 - May 2018

  • Peer Tutor

    Sept 2015 - May 2018

  • Library Assistant

    Sept 2014 - Dec 2016
• 

  Iowa State University

  Jun 2016 - Aug 2016

  Research Intern

  Assist research professor and graduate student in extracting chemicals from lignin in a flow reactor for the production of bio-based fuels, chemicals, and polymers. Responsible for packing beds, making solutions, and operating the flow reactor.

• 

  W.M. Barr & Company, Inc.

  Sept 2018 - now

  Associate Research and Development Chemist

  • Carry out various product development tasks in the consumer-packaged goods industry such as formulation, lab batch preparation, and design/execution of experiments to evaluate product stability, performance and functional testing.• Mange production of scale-up for new products by troubleshooting plant/batching issues that impacts operation and production of quality product.• Develop test methods for various lab experiments and equipment. • Prepare samples for consumer studies and incorporate results into the product development process.• Serve as product development liaison in cross-functional team meetings with packaging, process development, manufacturing and marketing.• Drive continuous product improvements and cost savings initiatives.• Collaborate and establish strong working relationships with internal and external business partners. Show less