Patent Examiner

Posted on: 2007-02-11

14155 Castle Boulevard, #402 Silver Spring, MD 20904 Email: [email protected] Phone: (423) 364-3276 WORK EXPERIENCE 11/2005 – Present Patent Examiner Technology Center 1700 - Electrochemistry United States Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, VA Prosecute patent applications •Examined patent applications in the electrochemistry field (fuel cell and battery technology); Searched domestic and international patent databases for prior art; Prepared written responses to applicants; Conducted briefings with attorneys representing the patent applicants 6/1999 – 11/2005 Instrumentation and Controls Design Engineer Tennessee Valley Authority, Nuclear Division, Chattanooga, TN Support operation of the Watts Bar, Sequoyah, and Browns Ferry Nuclear Plants •Prepared thermal-hydraulic calculations and analysis for reactor containment Used Numerical Applications’ software, Generation of Thermal-Hydraulic Information for Containment (GOTHIC) to model, analyze, and evaluate transients involving steam, water, and non-condensing gases in reactor building; Researched/calculated model input such as flow paths, solid heat conductors, thermodynamic parameters, lumped and subdivided parameter volumes, etc.; Generated time, contour, and vector plots to display temperature, pressure, and humidity profiles to ensure environment conditions during and after a transient remain within equipment specifications and does not challenge containment structure integrity •Functioned as Responsible Engineer for the following plant upgrades: •Upgrade of the Reactor Vessel Level Indication System Fittings •Replacement of the Essential Raw Cooling Water Supply Temperature Sensors for Environmental Compliance •Installation of the Essential Raw Cooling Water Test Flow Instrumentation •Installation of the Separate Power Supplies for Reactor Feedwater Pump Bypass Valve Control Circuits Responsibilities for these plant upgrades included: Directed multidisciplinary team; Developed project scope, schedule, and budget; Directed pre-job and post-job briefings; Conducted project progress meetings with plant operation, maintenance, radiation control, and engineering team members; Coordinated walkdowns to ensure equipment accessibility and compatibility and to identify any safety challenges in the work area; Presented project reviews for plant engineering management reporting on scope development, technical challenges, proof of problem solution, and adherence to schedule and budget; Prepared procurement request for equipment purchases; Reviewed vendor proposals and bids for acceptance; Reviewed vendor delivered products such as equipment drawings and technical manuals for receipt; Prepared safety evaluations for project implementation; Performed human factor reviews to ensure proper man-machine interface 5/1995- 8/1997 Motiva Enterprise Refinery INROADS Intern Subsidiary of SHELL/TEXACO/ARAMCO, Convent, Louisiana •Created a light-ends recovery monitoring system •Assisted in the day to day operations of the refinery •Completed professional development training EDUCATION Chemical Engineering, Graduate Courses Completed, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS; May 1999 CERTIFICATIONS & HONORS •Engineer In Training Certificate obtained in 1999 •Student Researcher University of Maryland Department of Chemical Engineering 1998 •The Chancellor’s List 2004 (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) •Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges 1999 (Mississippi State) TECHNICAL TRAINING COMPLETED •Single Point Failure Analysis •Nuclear Plant Access Training •Preparation and Review of 10CFR50.59 Safety Evaluations •Environmental Qualification of Plant Components •Human Factors Engineering •Human Performance Tools