MSc Graduate in Chemistry

Welcome to my website. I am a recent MSc graduate in chemistry looking to get my foot in the door of industry and begin my professional career outside of academia. The purpose of this webpage is to showcase my skills and experience, while emphasizing that I am open to new opportunities to learn and grow.

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  • Graduate Research Assistant

    Conducted high-throughput surface simulations and managed structured data for electrocatalysis research

    Developed a systematic approach towards the computational design of binary alloys, reducing compute cost of high-throughput alloy screening by >85%

    Produced clear data visualizations and technical documentation for cross-functional teams

    Created data visualizations and technical documentation to support publications and presentations

  • Teaching Assistant

    Evaluated assignments and lab reports for accuracy and consistency in data interpretation

    Provided individualized support to students on data analysis and experimental reporting

    Reinforced scientific reasoning and attention to detail in written and verbal communication

    Implemented standardized grading rubrics improving assessment consistency and feedback quality

  • Undergraduate Research Assistant

    Conducted multi-step organic syntheses of nucleoside analogues (RNA monomers) for origins-of-life research

    Applied purification and characterization techniques including NMR, HPLC, and mass spectrometry

    Maintained detailed experimental records ensuring reproducibility and compliance with lab safety protocols

    Built strong foundations in pharmaceutical and biological chemistry, directly applicable to drug discovery and development

  • B. J. R. Laframboise, J. Coveny, J. Zhou, L. D. Chen

    Improved upon systematic screening methodology and proved the importance of screening for experimentally relevant alloy configurations using electronic structure theory — directly applicable to industrial R&D workflows. Showed that Pt-Ir alloys are more active for ammonia oxidation than benchmark Pt.

  • B. J. R. Laframboise, S. J. Johnston, L. D. Chen

    Introduced a novel configurational entropy-base approach towards computational binary alloy design. Showed mechanistically why Ir-Rh alloys are more active than either Ir or Rh individually.

  • N. Sabouhanian, B. J. R. Laframboise, J. Quintal, Z. Su, L. D. Chen, J. Lipkowski, A. Chen

    Cross-functional collaboration combining computational predictions with experimental validation

  • S. J. Johnston, R. M. Choueiri, X. Liu, B. J. R. Laframboise, S. W. Tatarchuk, L. D. Chen

    Demonstrated ability to contribute to high-impact collaborative projects and deliver publication-quality results

  • B. J. R. Laframboise, D. k. O’Flaherty

    Preliminary work that served as the basis for future research projects, resulting in a significant impact on origins of life research.

Publications

Recognition & Achievements

  • Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) - $15,000

    R.H.F. Manske Award - $750

    CSC: Pearson Book Prize

    Braithwaite Conference Travel Grant - $700

    Stephen Safe Scholarship - $2,500

    Graham, Fraser, and Trevor Bosch Scholarship - $1,200

  • Platinum-based Alloys for Ammonia Oxidation Studied by Density Functional Theory: Third Annual ECS Guelph Young Researcher Symposium, Oral presentation, University of Guelph

    How Ir-Rh Alloys Improve Electrochemical Ammonia Oxidation Activity Studied by Density Functional Theory: Student Research Day, Poster presentation, University of Guelph

    Electrocatalytic Mechanism of Ammonia Oxidation on Iridium, Rhodium, and Their Alloy Surfaces Using Density Functional Theory: Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC 2024). (International), Oral presentation

    A Density Functional Theory Investigation of Ammonia Oxidation on the M-doped β-Ni(OH)₂ (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Fe) Surfaces: Thirty-Seventh Symposium on Chemical Physics. (International), Poster presentation, University of Waterloo

  • ACS Applied Energy Materials (1)

    Springer Nature - Ionics (1)

News & Accomplishments

  • Flash talk on electrocatalyst design and high-throughput binary alloy screening at the Third Annual ECS Guelph Young Researcher Symposium, 2025

  • Successfully defended MSc thesis on the Computational Design of Bimetallic Surfaces for Sustainable Electrocatalysis: Insights from Density Functional Theory, 2025

  • Receiving the R.H.F. Manske Prize on the basis of academic record and demonstrated ability and promise in research, 2025

  • Poster presentation on binary alloys as electrocatalysts for the ammonia oxidation reaction at 2024 CEPS Student Research and Grad Preview Day, 2024

  • Awarded the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) in recognition of academic excellence and research potential ($15,000), 2024

  • Talk on how Ir-Rh alloys improve electrochemical performance of the ammonia oxidation reaction at the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC 2024). Awarded the CSC: Pearson Book Prize, 2024

  • Poster presentation on ammonia oxidation on M-doped β-Ni(OH)₂ at the Waterloo Symposium on Chemical Physics, 2023

  • Successfully defended undergraduate research project on the synthesis of 3’-amino-3’-deoxy-5-methyluridine, 2023

  • Celebrating successful undergraduate research presentation on the synthesis of 3’-amino-3’-deoxy-5-methylcytidine, 2022