Austin Abrams

Austin abrams

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location of Austin AbramsBerkeley, California, United States
Followers of Austin Abrams653 followers
  • Timeline

  • About me

    Genomic Data Scientist and Developer of Bioanalytical Platforms

  • Education

    • Pomona college

      2012 - 2016
      Bachelor of arts - ba chemistry (acs-approved), minor in computer science 3.67

      Activities and Societies: Varsity Swimming, Pianist and Saxophonist Awarded Cooperative International Science and Engineering Fellowship (UCSB CISEI Program)Awarded SCIAC All-Academic Team (2014-16) in recognition of academic achievement and 2+ years dedication to varsity athletics.

    • Laguna blanca school

      2006 - 2012

      Activities and Societies: Inducted into Cum Laude Society; received Headmaster’s Award for Character at graduation

    • El montecito school

      1996 - 2006
    • Uc santa barbara

      2016 - 2021
      Doctor of philosophy - phd physical chemistry 3.98

      Activities and Societies: Graduate Students for Diversity in Science (GSDS) Educational Outreach Volunteer (K-12) ARP Summer Support Grant for PhD Students, Chair's Fellowship from Department of ChemistryOutstanding Service to Department of ChemistryTop 5% finalist in National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)2nd Place Oral Presentation Award at 5th Annual SoCal Micro and Nanofluidics Symposium

  • Experience

    • Uc santa barbara

      Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
      Research intern

      Assisted in creating a multidimensional atlas of a developing zebrafish heart using brightfield and fluorescent microscopy. Created programs in MATLAB for temporal and spatial image alignment, and rendered the image compilation using Imaris

    • Uc santa barbara

      Jun 2014 - Aug 2014
      Rise research intern

      Proof-of-concept work on discrete oligomer separation using flash chromatography culminated into a 2016 JACS publication. Optimized column-based separation of oligomers produced via one-pot, large batch syntheses. Trained on radical polymerization, chromatography, NMR, SEC, & mass analyses.

    • Technische universiteit eindhoven

      Jun 2015 - Aug 2015
      Cisei research intern

      Studied self-assembly conditions of supramolecular polymers for in-vitro delivery. Synthesized 18-unit peptides and conjugated to supramolecular polymer subunits. Trained on HPLC & flash purification methods, and LCMS, NMR, & MALDI analyses.

    • Harvey mudd college

      Sept 2015 - Apr 2016
      Senior thesis researcher

      Constructed a sequential spray coating system of quantum dot (QD) monolayers on electrode substrates as a model for inexpensive, lightweight solar cell production. Optimized spray coating system for studying effects of QD surface ligand type, substrate chemistry, and pneumatic or passive drying cycles on final film morphology observed by SEM.

    • Hawker group, uc santa barbara

      Jul 2016 - Dec 2017
      Rotating graduate student researcher

      Synthesized polymeric hydrogels with embedded photoacid for light-induced healing. Optimized chemistry for selective thiol monolayer deposition on micro-patterned surfaces as the groundwork for selective spin-on deposition of polymer films. Helped develop technique for selective deposition of polymer blends by tuning polymer polarity, surface energy (via monolayer chemistry), and spin-coating conditions.

    • Uc santa barbara

      Sept 2017 - Mar 2023
      Teaching assistant

      General Chemistry (7 quarters); Biochemical Origins; Analog Electronics; Statics; Strength of Materials.

    • Pennathur lab, uc santa barbara

      Dec 2017 - Mar 2023
      Doctoral researcher

      Designed and validated an automated platform for continuous extraction of zeta potential using alternating electroosmotic flow in a microcapillary and a live feedback controller in MATLAB. Extracted the highest resolution to-date of aminosilane coating formation and degradation kinetics in a microchannel; identified conditions to improve final coating density and durability in aqueous conditions. Identified electrokinetic transport mechanisms of cationic surfactants during adsorption–desorption in a capillary. Elucidated novel degradation pathways of semi-permanent surfactant coatings exposed to high pH or anionic surfactant conditions. Show less

    • Mekonos inc.

      Dec 2022 - Jun 2024

      Developed and optimized a needle-based DNA cell delivery platform for adherent cell lines. Created and implemented a fluorescent flow-imaging platform to extract DNA surface density from 3D & time lapse images. Increased throughput by developing stage automation, improved optics, and scripts for deconvolution and segmentation using Python and Fiji. Screened conditions to improve chemical surface modification and DNA loading conditions using XPS, flow-microscopy, and cell transfection platforms with flow cytometry. Independently managed 3 concurrent projects of junior and senior scientists. Show less

      • Scientist II

        Jan 2024 - Jun 2024
      • Scientist I

        Dec 2022 - Jan 2024
    • Berkeley lab

      Mar 2023 - Jun 2024
      Affiliate scientist

      High-throughput confocal microscopy of nucleic acids on surface-functionalized microneedle arrays.Analysis of surface monolayers using XPS, ellipsometry, water contact angle.

  • Licenses & Certifications

  • Honors & Awards

    • Awarded to Austin Abrams
      Winner, GSA Travel Award to attend IEEE Micro & Nanotechnology in Medicine Conference Graduate Student Association, UCSB Nov 2018
    • Awarded to Austin Abrams
      2nd Place, Oral Presentation Award, 5th Annual SoCal Micro & Nanofluidics Symposium Southern California Micro and Nanofluidics Symposium Aug 2018
    • Awarded to Austin Abrams
      Winner, Mellichamp Travel Award to attend UC Systemwide Bioengineering Symposium Mellichamp Cluster in Systems Biology & Bioengineering Jun 2018
    • Awarded to Austin Abrams
      Finalist, National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Apr 2018