Richard Joseph Wagner
2820 Devonshire Place NW #102
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 232-2553
wagnerr@umich.edu
Objective A challenging position in research and development that will engage my
creativity, independence, technical skills, communication skills, teaching
experience, and industrial experience. My interests include computational and
theoretical physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology.
Research Guest Researcher January 2007 to Present
Experience National Institute of Standards and Technology – Gaithersburg, Maryland and
Catholic University of America – Washington, District of Columbia
Modeled nanomechanical deformation of aluminum through multimillion-atom
molecular dynamics simulations. Implemented parallel processing in C++,
analysis and visualization in Python, and illustration with SVG, POV-Ray, and
Adobe Illustrator. Studied advanced computational methods and theory.
National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow January 2004 to January 2007
National Institute of Standards and Technology – Gaithersburg, Maryland
Conducted modeling of nanoindentation, a method of measuring mechanical
properties at the nanometer scale. Developed a molecular dynamics simulation of
silicon compression to study high-pressure phase transformation. Collaborated
with a team of researchers to combine experiment, continuum modeling, classical
atomistic simulation, and quantum mechanical calculation of plasticity in metals.
Ph.D. Candidate May 2001 to November 2003
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Investigated energetics of strained germanium epitaxy on silicon by atomistic
simulation. Uncovered forces driving self-assembly of nanostructures. Wrote
custom computer code for Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations.
Performed quantum mechanical calculations with commercial software.
Ph.D. Pre-Candidate January 1999 to May 2001
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Operated and maintained molecular beam epitaxy system to grow germanium
quantum dots on silicon. Installed electron gun silicon source and radio frequency
plasma generated nitrogen source. Performed characterization by scanning
electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy,
and X-ray diffraction. Processed device wafers by photolithography.
Richard Joseph Wagner
Research Research Assistant May 1995 to August 1995
Experience Michigan State University Composite Center – East Lansing, Michigan
(continued) Helped develop a process for making aligned discontinuous fiber composites.
Built equipment for electrostatic alignment of glass fibers, processed samples, and
evaluated performance by microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal
gravimetric analysis, and mechanical testing.
Industry Manufacturing Development Engineer April 1996 to August 1998
Experience TAC Automotive Group – Dearborn, Michigan
Helped develop and test automotive painting technology at Ford Motor Company.
Investigated methods of paint thickness and quality measurement to meet needs of
manufacturing plants. Collaborated with paint and equipment suppliers.
Conducted laboratory experiments, field tests, and in-plant trials. Obtained a
patent for a mechanism of making measurements during production.
Teaching Graduate Student Instructor January 2000 to December 2002
Experience University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Taught for three semesters of the chemical engineering unit operations course.
Led sections of twelve senior students in a simulated industrial environment.
Guided three-month team projects, supervised experiments, wrote assignments,
graded reports, led and evaluated presentations. Taught skills including
negotiation, troubleshooting, and technical communication.
Education University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Chemical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy, May 2004
“Growth Energetics of Germanium Quantum Dots by Atomistic Simulation”
Advisor: Erdogan Gulari
Master of Science in Engineering, May 2001
Grade Point Average: 3.7/4.0
Relevant courses:
Statistical Thermodynamics Applied Numerical Methods
Molecular Simulation of Materials Chemical Kinetics
Solid State Device Laboratory Tissue Engineering
Simulation of Soft Materials Chemoinformatics
Michigan State University – East Lansing, Michigan
Chemical Engineering
Bachelor of Science with Honors, December 1995
Grade Point Average: 3.5/4.0
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Richard Joseph Wagner
Publications R. J. Wagner and E. Gulari, “Thermodynamic control of germanium quantum dot
growth on silicon”, Surface Science 590(1), 1-8 (2005).
F. Tavazza, R. Wagner, A. M. Chaka, L. E. Levine, “Vacancy formation energy
near an edge dislocation: A hybrid quantum-classical study”, Materials
Science and Engineering A 400-401, 72-75 (2005).
R. J. Wagner and E. Gulari, “Simulation of Ge/Si intermixing during
heteroepitaxy”, Physical Review B 69, 195312 (2004).
Submitted for review, March 2008:
R. J. Wagner, L. Ma, F. Tavazza, and L. E. Levine, “Dislocation nucleation during
nanoindentation of aluminum”, Journal of Applied Physics.
Patents U. S. Patent 5,959,211 – Method and Apparatus for Positioning Sensors Against a
Non-Planar Surface, co-inventor. Used by Ford Motor Company for online
paint thickness measurement.
Awards Science As Art Competition, Materials Research Society, 2006 Spring Meeting,
Second Place for “Calligraphy” based on molecular dynamics of silicon.
Activities Open source random number generator in C++
http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~wagnerr/MersenneTwister.html
Piano, painting, photography, woodworking, game design, computer
programming, and recreational mathematics
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Richard Joseph Wagner
References Dr. Lyle Levine – Project leader (2004-Present)
Metallurgy Division
National Institute of Standards and Technology
100 Bureau Drive, MS 8553
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8553
(301) 975-6032
lyle.levine@nist.gov
Prof. Erdogan Gulari – Thesis advisor (1999-2004)
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Michigan
3302 G G Brown
2300 Hayward Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136
(734) 763-5941
gulari@umich.edu
Prof. H. Scott Fogler – Instructor during teaching experience (2001-2002)
Department of Chemical Engineering
University of Michigan
3168A H H Dow Building
2300 Hayward Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2136
(734) 763-1361
sfogler@umich.edu
Frank Migda – Technical specialist (1996-1998)
Ford Motor Company
Fairlane North 3, Cube GB003, MD 300
6200 Mercury Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126
(313) 805-5350
fmigda@ford.com
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