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Zakaria Y. Al Balushi
OBJECTIVES

 Acquire a full-time position within corporate R&D in Nanomaterial Engineering.

EDUCATION

The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

- B.S. Engineering Science, with Honors.
- Minor in Nanotechnology and Certificate in Engineering Design.
- Confirmed Graduation – May 2011.
Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes, France
- Attended 2010 summer user centered engineering design academy.
Relevant Course Work:
- NEMS; MEMS; MOEMS; electronic and photonic thin film and device fabrication;
solar cell device physics; engineering electromagnetic; advance engineering
mathematics and numerical analysis and solid state physics.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Engineering Design Introductory Course, SEDTAPP,
College of Engineering, Penn State University
2008-2011:
- Instructed engineering students in CAD modeling and engineering design.
- Lectured students on different engineering design methodologies.
- Planned and organized projects on product redesign.
Engineering Science Undergraduate Research Assistant, Fonash Group, Department of
Engineering Science and Mechanics, Penn State University
2010-2011:
- Proposed and developed templates for multi-self aligned SiNW growth.
- Performed micro/nanofabrication processes in 100/1000 cleanroom environment.
- Optimized SiNW growth in LPCVD for use in transistors and integrated circuits.
- Conducted 4Point Probe, AFM and Raman measurements.
- Administered photolithography processes and electron-beam writing.
NSEC REU Research Intern, Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center, Northwestern
University
Summer 2010:
- Analyzed the influence of alloy nanocatalysts on GeNW growth.
- Developed a colloidal synthesis for Cu-Au core-shell nanoparticles.
- Characterized nanoparticles using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.
- Collected and reported data to assist graduate mentor research work.

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MURE Undergraduate Research Assistant, PA NASA Space Grant Consortium,

Department of Chemical Engineering, Penn State University
2009-2010:
- Assembled and maintained a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition Reactor.
- Produced hollow-shell nanoparticles for advance drug delivery systems.
- Investigated nanoparticle electrolytic conduction using experimental methods.
NSEC REU Research Intern, Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center, Northwestern
University
Summer 2009:
- Formulated Cu2O nanoparticles for GeNW growth.
- Optimized nanoparticles synthesis in aqueous solution.
- Modeled data of synthesis behavior from use of SEM, EDX and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH TALKS

 Growth of Ge Nanowires from Au-Cu Alloy Nanoparticle Catalysts Synthesized from

Aqueous Solution, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2010, 1, pp 3360–3365.
 Engineering Science Undergraduate Honor Thesis Defense Presentation: Multiple Self
Aligned SiNW Catalyzed from Bulk Au Reservoir, March 2011.
 NSEC Undergraduate Symposium, REU project presentation, Northwestern
University, Aug 2010.
 Argonne National Lab Undergraduate Symposium Research Talk: Synthesis of Cu2O
and Au-Cu2O Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Germanium Nanowire Growth, Argonne,
IL, Nov 2009.
 NSEC Undergraduate Symposium, REU project presentation, Northwestern
University, Aug 2009.
 Emergency Lighting System project presentation for General Electric locomotives,
Penn State University, April 2008.

LEADERSHIP AND TRAINING

Leadership Positions:
- Engineering design undergraduate project team leader for GE Transport, Erie, PA.
- THON organization chair: A student-run philanthropy effort to raise money and
awareness for pediatric cancer.
- Teens for Positive Action organization leader: Community service organization that
interacts with children with special needs in Dubai UAE.
Equipment Training:
- LEO Gemini 1525 SEM, FESEM, Hitachi HD-2300A STEM, AFM, UV-Vis; PECVD
and LPCVD.
- Certified to work within Cleanroom and hazardous material laboratories.