Welcome to my website!

If you are interested in tutoring, click the “tutoring” tab above

I’m a 5th year PhD Candidate at Auburn University. I specialize in community outreach, teaching organic chemistry, sales consulting and team management.

On this page, you will find an overview of who I am alongside my various skills, experiences and background. Please contact me at lcl0019@auburn.edu if you have any questions. If you’re a representative from a company, please click here to see my full CV and scroll down to the bottom of this page to learn why I would make a great addition to your team. If you’re interested in my tutoring expertise, you can find all that information here. If you’re just wanting to learn more about me, I’m glad you’re here! Feel free to check out more detailed experiences at the pages listed at the top right.

My great grandmother, my biggest fan and one of the most important aspects of my life

This is my partner in crime, Ace. She is my #1 supporter, my best friend and my future.

Doofy was my childhood cat from 2004-2022. He was my whole world. Every opportunity I get to showcase how great he is, I do.

Outreach and community involvement

Highlights

  • Science Olympiad Alabama State Finals (Exam Coordinator / 2022-2024)

  • Science Summer Institute (Counselor / Summer, 2023)

  • Destination STEM (Exhibitor / Fall, 2023)

  • EmpowHER (Exhibitor / Spring, Fall 2023)

  • American Chemistry Society YCC Committee (Club President / 2020-2024)

Education

Received a B.Sc. from Troy University (Troy, AL) while attending from 2016 to 2019.

Currently a PhD Candidate at Auburn University after passing my candidacy exam in 2022. Expected graduation is Fall of 2025.

Teaching

Graduate Teaching Assistantship

Since joining Auburn University Chemistry Ph.D. program 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching 26 separate organic and general chemistry laboratory classes over the past 4 years. In 2023, I was awarded the Graduate Teaching Excellence award in 2023 for receiving stellar reviews over the past years

Tutoring

Alongside teaching, I’ve tutored almost 50 undergraduate students across the general, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistries. My teaching style’s involves being very adaptive for the student’s needs while still offering in-depth deciphering of chemistry’s sometimes confusing lingo. Of these, I specialize in tutoring organic chemistry and explaining mechanisms.

Research

Ongoing Projects

  • Synthesis of cyclic (alkyl) (amino) carbenes (CAACs) to stabilize electron rich metal-oxo complexes for selective methane to methanol conversion.

  • Synthesis of phosphinine metal complexes that can be exploited for small molecule activation where both the ligand and the metal play an important role (Metal-Ligand Cooperativity).

Publications

  • Bulk Assembly of Zero-Dimensional Organic Lead Bromide Hybrid with Efficient Blue Emission, ACS Materials Letters, 2019, 1, 594-598.

  • Multicomponent Organic Metal Halide Hybrid with White Emissions, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2020, 59, 14120-14123.

  • Bulk Assembly of Multicomponent Zero-Dimensional Metal Halides with Dual Emission, ACS Materials Letters, 2020, 2, 376-380.

Phosphinine

Cyclic (alkyl) (amino) Carbene

Work Experience

After my first job at Zaxby’s while still in high school, I transitioned over to Chick-fil-A and quickly rose through the ranks. After only 4 months, I was the nightly kitchen manager and later became the nightly supervisor all while working toward my B.Sc. at Troy University. As graduate school approached, I switched focus to a less time demanding job at Best Buy as a sales consultant to finish my undergraduate degree. Post degree, there was a small near-year gap that I exploited to grow my work experience and I became a car salesman at Lynch Nissan until the start of my graduate program at Auburn University. Since being at Auburn, I’ve devoted my time toward teaching classes and tutoring. In 2023, I became a ride share driver for Uber to have more supplemental income over the summers.

Timeline

  • Zaxby’s (Cook, 2015-2016)

  • Chick-fil-A (Night Supervisor, 2016-2018

  • Best Buy (Sales Consultant, 2018-2019)

  • Lynch Nissan (Salesman, 2020)

  • Uber (Rideshare Driver, 2023)

Why you should hire me:

How many people have you hired that have a CV turned into a website? Like this website, I always try to put myself out there as much as possible. I have a really unique background that makes me valuable in any position I’m placed in. Do you need someone to boost your sales or build repertoire with customers? Do you need someone that can efficiently and effectively lead a team toward a common goal or to tackle a difficult problem? Do you need someone that can break down complex information and explain it to students or colleagues? If so, I’m your person. I’m the very definition of a “go-getter.” I want to make a difference but also be able to support myself and my family financially.

Almost all of my background involves some level of professional social interaction and leadership and this is where I excel. Here are some job titles I’d am very interested in once I finish my doctoral degree in 2025:

  • Lecturer or Professor of Chemistry

  • Sales expert for an science instrument company (i.e., NMRs)

  • Outreach program coordinator at a University

  • Company CEO