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Internship at Everett Environmental LaboratoryFrom March 2015 to September 2015, Laura worked as an intern at the Everett Environmental Lab. During that time at the Environmental Lab, she worked on the following instruments and methodologies: (1) ICP-MS Agilent 7500ce on aqueous samples and solids as per EPA SW846 and 200 series methodologies, (2) Organic Carbon Analyzer by combustion Shimadzu TOC-V csh on primarily drinking water as per EPA 415.3 methods, (3) UV/Vis Spectrophotometer EPA 415.3 methods, (4) Cold Vapor Analyzer for Hg Cetac M-7600 Quick Trace EPA 245 and 7470 methods, (5) Hach field Colorimeter used for Nutrient (NH3, NO2, NO3) analysis of waste water process, (6) Color Analysis EPA, and (7) %Total Solids and Total Suspended solids EPA 160 series. Much of my time at the laboratory was dedicated to instrumental tuning and optimization with the ICP-MS. Laura learned to work with ChemStation/MassHunter Hybrid software, instrument tuning criteria, analyze oxides and doubly charged mass levels, sequence preparation and setup of the auto-sampler, replace tubing, replace vacuum pumps, change oil and filters, set the EM, optimize responses without sacrificing matrix robustness, select mass numbers and appropriate internal standards based on eV and natural occurrence in samples, interference reduction using collision cell technology, and standard quality control protocols. Furthermore, she successfully removed, cleaned, dried, and reassembled the torch assembly, lens set, cone set, and Octopole Reaction System (ORS) on the ICP-MS.
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Chemistry Department, PLU |
I has continued to expand my knowledge and application of laboratory skills during my time at PLU through working for the Chemistry department. I started work in the Chemistry Stockroom during my second semester at PLU in 2016, and continued to work there for two years. As a stockroom worker I was responsible for preparing materials and reagents for laboratory classes, effectively cleaning glassware, preparing chemical waste for pick-up and proper disposal, and neutralizing solutions. In addition to these activities, I also assisted in management of chemical inventory and supplies. The following are tests and skills that I executed as a stockroom worker: (1) flame testing of waste, (2) pH testing of waste, (3) identifying and correctly labeling hazards on waste containers, (3) neutralizing appropriate acid and base solutions to pH values within limits for disposal, (4) using vacuum filtration to separate solutions from precipitate via Buchner funnel and filtration reservoirs, (5) testing solutions for peroxide content, (6) effectively titrating via burette, (7) efficiently pipetting precise and accurate volumes of solutions, (8) properly document mixing and preparation of solutions and reagents, and (9) analyze absorbance and concentrations of solutions via visible spectrometry with Vernier Technologies.
I worked as an Organic Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant (TA) during the Springs of 2017 and 2018, the Summer of 2018, and the Fall of 2018. In the Summer of 2018 I also worked as the General Chemistry TA. Both classes taught over Summer were accelerated courses, so each typically semester-long class was packed into a one month period(!). For the two months I worked as the TA for Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, General Chemistry I, and General Chemistry II, I had the duties of preparing and cleaning up labs, grading lab reports, and assisting in teaching the labs. Additionally, I served as the TA for Physical Chemistry I (Thermodynamics) in the Fall of 2018. My duties for Physical Chemistry were to assist in teaching the labs. I also served as the TA for Organic Chemistry II in the Spring of 2019. |
