CHEN ZHANG
621 Maryland Ave Apt 1, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 • (412)736-1671 • willzhang2014@gmail.com
SUMMARY
Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry with 6 years of innovative research experience in traditional (glass,
ceramics) and novel materials (nanomaterials, polymers) fabrication and characterization. Proven skills in
problem solving, teamwork and communication.
EDUCATION
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Ph.D., Chemistry, expected to graduate by May 2014
Anhui University, Anhui, China
B.S., Materials Chemistry, June 2009
September 2009 - Present
September 2005 – June 2009
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Research Assistant
May 2010 - Present
Project: Assembly and emergent properties of nanoparticle superstructures
 Synthesize organic linker to couple with inorganic-binding peptides, purify these peptide conjugates
with HPLC and characterize them via MALDI-TOF
 Study the self-assembly of these peptide conjugates via TEM and AFM
 Use these peptide conjugates to assemble nanoparticles into various morphologies, such as chiral 1-D
and hollow spherical assemblies, which was characterized with electron microscopy (TEM, SEM)
 Study the optical properties of these nanoparticle assemblies with CD and UV-Vis
 Vary the molecular structures, screen the synthetic conditions and construct a phase diagram with this
full study aiming to greatly advance our knowledge of our research system
Project: Biomolecule based metal-organic frameworks (bio-MOFs) for separation and clean energy
 Synthesize organic linkers, prepare bio-MOFs with diverse pore sizes and contribute to the selective
separation of nanoparticles of various diameters with these bio-MOFs
 Contribute to the synthesis gold nanorod/nanowire by using MOFs with 1-D channels
 Design and synthesize one member of cobalt-based bio-MOF series which bears the most promising
CO2 adsorption property among the series
 Characterize the synthesized MOF materials by a set of comprehensive analytic instruments, including
XRD, TGA, SEM, EDS, TEM, gas adsorption
Anhui University
Anhui, China
Undergraduate Research Assistant
d June 2007 - May 2009
Project: Composite materials for photocatalytic degradation of water waste
 Synthesize porous TiO2 and Polyoxometalate (POM) based core/shell composite materials (TiO2/POM
& POM/TiO2) using ionic liquids as template and solvent, and compare their performance in
photocatalytic degradation of water waste
Project: Synthesis of nanomaterials by using novel ionic liquids (ILs) as template
 Synthesize novel ILs to template the synthesis of nano-cerium phosphate and study the optical
property of the nanomaterials
 Characterize the synthesized ILs and nanomaterials by a set of comprehensive analytic instruments,
including NMR, FTIR, XRD, UV-Vis, PL, TEM, SEM
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EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA
Vice President of Logistics, Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA)
May 2012 – Present
Help organize various activities and take charge of logistics
 Mid-Autumn Talent Show (~ 500 participants)
 Chinese Career Development Forum (~ 200 participants)
 Tea House Chinese Culture Exhibition, Spring Festival Gala and Reception (~ 800 participants)
 One of the organizers that established University of Pittsburgh Chinese Scholars Alumni Council,
affiliated with the Pitt Alumni Association
TECHNICAL SKILLS
 Materials Synthesis:
 Materials Characterization:
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Data Analysis:
Image Processing:
Office software:
Language:
Traditional Materials (Glass, Ceramics)
Polymers (PMMA, PS, PAAM)
Nanomaterials (Sol-Gel, Solvothermal, Co-precipitaion, Templating)
Separation and Purification (HPLC, NMR)
Electron Microscopy (TEM, SEM, EDS)
Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM)
Optical Spectrometry (FTIR, UV-Vis, Raman, PL, CD, AAS, AES)
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS, GC-MS, MALDI-TOF)
Bulk Materials (PXRD, TGA, DSC)
Origin, Materials Studio
Photoshop, CorelDraw, ChemBiodraw, ImageJ
Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Prezi
English, Mandarin Chinese
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
 Peptide conjugates for directing the morphology and assembly of 1-D nanoparticle superstructures. C.
Zhang, C. Song, H. C. Fry, N. L. Rosi. Submitted.
 Preparation of size-controlled hollow spherical gold nanoparticle superstructures with distinguished
Near-infrared extinction. C. Zhang, Y. Zhou, C. Song, G. C. Schatz, N. L. Rosi. Submitted.
 Construction of tailored 1-D gold nanoparticle superstructures via peptide bundling. C. Zhang, C.
Song, H. C. Fry, N. L. Rosi. ACS Central Region Meeting, Mt. Pleasant, May 2013. Poster
presentation.
 Construction of tailored 1-D gold nanoparticle superstructures via peptide bundling. C. Zhang, C.
Song, H. C. Fry, N. L. Rosi. PiNO Conference, Cleveland, June 2013. Poster presentation.
HONORS AND AWARDS
 Nominated for Elizabeth Baranger Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Pittsburgh, 2013
 Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Anhui University, 2009
 Outstanding Student Scholarship (5%), Anhui University, 2007
 National Computer Rank Examination, Level 3 of Network Technology, P. R. China, 2007
 National Computer Rank Examination, Level 2 of C Language Programming, P. R. China, 2006
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
 Member of American Chemical Society (ACS)
 Member of Chinese Association for Science & Technology – Pittsburgh Chapter (CAST-P)
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