Robert N Ulrich
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Robert N Ulrich 595 Charles E Young Drive East, Slichter Hall RM 2855 Los Angeles, CA 90095 [email protected] — (703) 851-7276 Education University of California, Los Angeles September 2017 – Present Ph.D., Geochemistry, 3.78 GPA Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University August 2013 – May 2017 B.S., Chemistry, 3.52 GPA B.S., Geosciences, 3.74 GPA Honors and Awards National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow Fall 2018 - Present Point Foundation Scholarship Semifinalist Spring 2018 Scientist Biography feature in book for Pearson Education’s Elevate Science California Program Fall 2017 Short biography in new textbooks to showcase scientists from underrepresented groups and their research UCLA Office of Instructional Development Mini-grant ($250) Fall 2017 To help pay for transportation to take students on a field trip for Env Sci M10 – Introduction to Environmental Science UCLA Graduate Division Fellowship Award ($10,000) Fall 2017 Thomas T. Jeffries Endowed Fund Scholarship ($1,000) Spring 2016 Dean’s List All semesters 2014 - 2017 Research Experience University of California, Los Angeles – Advisor, Dr. Aradhna Tripati (current projects) September 2017 – Present Graduate Student Researcher, Using multiple geochemical tracers to shed light on a newly-discovered major mineral formation pathway for biominerals Purpose: To determine the effects of the amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) precursor on the clumped isotope signatures of crystalline polymorphs of calcium carbonate in both inorganic and organic syntheses. Graduate Student Researcher, Assessing the impact of changing seawater carbonate chemistry on 13C-18O bond ordering and 18O/16O ratios of biogenic marine carbonates Purpose: To determine the effect of the pH and biomineral formation pathway on the clumped isotope signatures of biogenic carbonates from marine organisms. Graduate Student Researcher, Molecular dynamics modeling of assessing energetics of near-surface fractionation of trace elements and stable isotope ratios in calcite and calcite nanocrystals Purpose: To theoretically quantify the energetics of stable isotopes in varying locations within a calcite crystal slab and nanocrystal in the context of clumping. Virginia Tech Biogeochemistry Lab – Advisor, Dr. Patricia Dove June 2015 – June 2017 Undergraduate Student Researcher, Solubility and Local Structure of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC) as a Function of Magnesium Content Purpose: Quantify the solubility product, Ksp, of ACC at standard temperature and pressure using experimental methods 2+ - that determine the effect of Mg and HCO3 concentrations. Techniques: pH measurements, flow-through experiments, XRD, SEM, APS synchrotron Undergraduate Student Researcher, Towards and Understanding of Composition Systematics in the Exoskeleton of the American Lobster, Homarus americanus Purpose: Quantify distribution of elements magnesium, calcium, strontium, and phosphorus in the mineral and organic components of the lobster exoskeleton and determine relationships to the function of body components. Techniques: chemical extraction, ICP-OES, pH measurements, titrations Virginia Tech Sedimentary Systems Lab – Advisor, Dr. Brian Romans August – December 2014 Undergraduate Student Researcher, Petrographic characterization of axial versus marginal submarine channel sandstones, Tres Pasos Formation Purpose: Determine relationships between location within an oil field reservoir and quality or type of sediment. This study also developed and tested new image-analysis software workflows to streamline future research. Techniques: microscopy, Leica software Publications Sebastian T Mergelsberg, James J De Yoreo, Robert N Ulrich, J Donald Rimstidt, F Marc Michel, Patricia M Dove (in adv. prep.) Solubility and Local Structure of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC) as a Function of Magnesium Content. Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Robert N Ulrich, Shuhai Xiao, Patricia M Dove (submitted) Towards an Understanding of Composition Systematics in the Exoskeleton of the American Lobster, Homarus americanus. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. Published Abstracts and Presentations Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Robert N Ulrich, Shuhai Xiao, Patricia M Dove (2017) Distribution of magnesium and phosphorus in the H. americanus exoskeleton: Insights for chemical signatures in biominerals. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. New Orleans, LA. Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Robert N Ulrich, Patricia M Dove (2017) The Solubility of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate(s) (ACC): Toward and Understanding of Chemical and Structural Evolution During Mineralization. Geological Society of America National Meeting. Seattle, WA. Robert N Ulrich, Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Patricia M Dove (2017) Distribution of Magnesium and Phosphorus in the H. Americanus Exoskeleton: Insights for Chemical Signatures in Biominerals. Geoscience Student Research Symposium. Blacksburg, VA. Robert N Ulrich, Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Patricia M Dove (2016) Exoskeleton Heterogeneity in Crustaceans: Quantifying Compositional and Structural Variations across body parts in H. americanus. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Robert N Ulrich, F Marc Michel, Patricia M Dove (2016) Influence of Magnesium Content on the Local Structure of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (ACC): Real Time Determination by In Situ PDF Analysis. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Robert N Ulrich, Patricia M Dove (2016) Morphological Dependence of Element Stoichiometry in the H. americanus Exoskeleton. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Robert N Ulrich, Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Patricia M Dove (2016) Dependence of exoskeleton composition on the mineral, protein, and chitin components in the American Lobster, H. americanus. Geoscience Student Research Symposium. Blacksburg, VA. Robert N Ulrich, Sebastian T Mergelsberg, Patricia M Dove (2015) Morphological dependence of element distributions in the organic and mineral fractions of the H. americanus exoskeleton. Geological Society of America National Meeting. Baltimore, MD. Teaching Experience Graduate Teaching Assistant, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Blacksburg, VA Fall 2017 Introduction to Environmental Science (M 10) Also helped with curriculum development Teaching Assistant, Virginia Tech Department of Chemistry Spring 2016 – 2017 General Chemistry (CHEM 1035 & 1036) Private Tutor, Blacksburg, VA May 2015 – 2017 Tutored undergraduates in general chemistry and environmental geochemistry Chemistry Tutor, Virginia Tech Dept. of Chemistry, Alpha Chi Sigma August 2014 – May 2015 Tutored undergraduates in general, analytical, physical, and environmental chemistry Workshops Attended How to be an Ally: From Awareness to Action, University of California, Los Angeles, CA May 2018 For anyone looking to promote effective to help promote inclusion Office of Instructional Development, University of California, Los Angeles, CA September 2017 Preparedness: How Students Learn Office of Instructional Development, University of California, Los Angeles, CA September 2017 Preparedness: The Nuts & Bolts of Lesson Planning Office of Instructional Development, University of California, Los Angeles, CA September 2017 Preparedness: Creating Inclusive Classrooms AGU Sharing Science, George Mason University, Arlington, VA August 2017 Getting Their Attention: How to Talk to Policymakers Industry Experience Geochemistry Intern, S.S. Papadopulos & Associates, Inc., Bethesda, MD June 2017 – September 2017 Analyzed the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the environment using fugacity models Developed the framework of a stable isotope-mixing model for perchlorate contaminated sites Juxtaposed EPA analysis methods in regard to naphthalene concentrations in water samples Analyzed the interactions of recycled concrete aggregates with groundwater Service and Leadership Founder & President, Queers in STEM, University of California, Los Angeles, CA October 2017 – Present Leadership Team, Center for Diverse Leadership in Science (CDLS) October 2017 – Present Social Media & Communications Liaison, CDLS, University of California, Los Angeles, CA October 2017 – Present Mentor, Queers in STEM Mentorship Program, University of California, Los Angeles March 2018 – Present Queer Alliance Representative, Queer Alliance, University of California, Los Angeles March 2018 – Present Volunteer, OCDS Spring Science & Engineering Showcase for Community College Students, Los Angeles, CA May 2018 Mentor, Pride Admit Weekend Campus Resource Fair, University of California, Los Angeles, CA April 2018 Mentor, PEERS Research Networking Event, University of California, Los Angeles, CA November 2017 Panelist, “Applying to Graduate School” Panel, University of California, Los Angeles, CA November 2017 Geology Booth, Exploring Your Universe Science Festival, Los Angeles, CA November 2017 Mentor, Organization of Cultural Diversity in Science Fall Science Showcase, Los Angeles, CA October 2017 Program Ambassador, Virginia Tech Department of Chemistry April 2016 – May 2017 Student Volunteer, The Big Event, Blacksburg, VA All semesters 2013 – 2017 Student Volunteer, Relay for Life, Blacksburg VA All semesters 2013 – 2017 Affiliations Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity (AXS) American Chemical Society (ACS) American Geophysical Union (AGU) Center for Diverse Leadership in Science (CDLS) Geochemical Society Geological Society of America (GSA) Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Scientists (LAGLS) National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) Out in STEM (oSTEM) Queer Alliance (QA) Queers in STEM (QSTEM) .