Hi, I'm Ashot. I bridge wet lab chemistry, materials processing, mechanical design, and embedded electronics, unifying them into a single, end-to-end workflow. 

May 2025 - Aug 2025

Exfluor Research Corporation

Intern R&D Chemist and Engineering Team Lead

• Designed, built, and commissioned three 5,000 psi heated flow reactors with closed-loop temperature control, pressure testing, and safety interlocks

• Handled elemental fluorine and anhydrous hydrogen fluoride using proper materials and procedures

• Led and mentored six interns during R&D lab build-out and equipment installation

• Produced CAD models and 3D-printed prototypes to validate reactor designs

• Bonded 40" OD FRP ducts using epoxy/fiberglass based on shear and slip calculations

• Received a full-time offer for technical leadership and performance 

Apr 2023 - May 2025

University of Texas at Austin, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (Dr. Michael Rose)

Undergraduate Researcher

• Developed PNP and PCP pincer ligands and related organometallic complexes

• Ran Schlenk and glovebox syntheses; purified via column chromatography, vacuum distillation, and sublimation

• Characterized by NMR, MS, IR, UV-Vis, and TLC; performed silicon wafer attachments and electrochemical testing

• Executed 50+ experiments varying 7+ parameters; improved target yield from 0 to 67%

• Authored and presented a poster on acridine-based ligands for Si(111) interfaces; wrote a 26-page research summary

• Gave ~1 hour talks at five group meetings and ~15 minute updates at 20+ subgroup meetings 

May 2025 - Present

University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Michael Cullinan Group (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Undergraduate Researcher

• Developing resin formulations with embedded ZnSe nanoparticles for DLP printing

• Investigation of different nanoparticle size combinations to yield maximum packing density in printable resins

• Study of thermal degradation and pyrolysis of ceramic green parts with controlled oxygen partial pressure

• Synthesizing and making ZnSe nanoparticles of different sizes by top-down and bottom-up methods

Feb 2023 - Present

University of Texas Glass Shop

Assistant/Apprentice

• Designed and fabricated lab and shop equipment using Fusion 360/SolidWorks and additive manufacturing

• Performed scientific flameworking in soft glass, borosilicate, and quartz (freehand and lathe)

• Helped design and assemble high-vacuum systems and gas/air infrastructure

• Built mechanically interactive art installations for public and educational venues

• Operated and maintained mills, diamond saws, drill presses, grinders, and sanders; implemented safety and electrical upgrades

• Authored a poster on 3D-printed fixtures for precision glass cutting; co-authored “Micro Sublimations,” Fusion (ASGS Karl Walter Award) 

• CAD: Additive manufacturing (FDM, SLA, DLP), Autodesk Fusion 360 (proficient), Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Meshmixer, 3D Slicer, MeshLab, OpenSCAD

• Computational: VESTA, Avogadro, ChemDraw, MestReNova, RStudio

• Wet Lab: Air-free organic synthesis, Schlenk line, box techniques, column chromatography, vacuum distillation, sublimation, spin coating, Si wafer prep, FTIR, NMR, LC-MS, XRD, DSC, UV-Vis, DLS, GC-MS, SEM, XRF, OP

I intend to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering with a focus on process–structure–property relationships in advanced manufacturing. I am especially interested in (i) additive manufacturing across length scales (SLA/DLP, DIW, SLS, two-photon, micro-/nano-printing) for ceramics, polymers, and metal/ceramic nanocomposites; (ii) semiconductor devices and MEMS/NEMS, including epitaxial growth and microfabrication; and (iii) photonic metamaterials and metasurfaces for IR/visible applications. I am equally motivated by alloy design (including metallic glasses) and structural composites where interfacial engineering governs performance. 

I am enthusiastic about exploring new research directions and am prepared to learn whatever techniques are necessary to contribute effectively. 

• English (Native)

• Armenian (Native)

• Russian (Professional Fluency)

• Corporate Liaison and Head of R&D (‘25–‘26), Texas Materials Science and Engineering (TMSE) Student Organization, member since founding in 2024

• Annual “STEM Girl Day” Head Volunteer and Co-Organizer (2022-2026)

• IEEE Robotics and Automation Society - Mechanical design sub-team(Stampede) (2023-2024)