Summary: Professional chemist and entrepreneur with over 10 years of research and work experience that extends across corporate, small-company, government, and academic laboratories. My scholarly repertoire includes a wide variety of analytical and materials characterization techniques as well as modeling by first-principles and engineering-based methods.
EDUCATION
University of Illinois, Department of Chemistry Urbana-Champaign, IL
Ph.D. Chemistry Expected graduation: May 2017
University of Illinois, Department of Chemistry Urbana-Champaign, IL
M.S. Chemistry May 2015
Temple University, Department of Chemistry Philadelphia, PA
B.S Chemistry, Cum Laude, Distinction in Major May 2007
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign August 2011 - Present
Research Advisors: Dr. Edmund Seebauer and Dr. So Hirata
Surface chemistry and quantitative mathematical theories to understand physical phenomenon in condensed-matter (50% Experiment | 50% Computation/Theory)
- Used secondary-ion mass spectrometry, electrochemistry and isotopic exchange experiments to control defect behavior in rutile titanium dioxide.
- Characterized physical vapor deposited thin films of rutile TiO2 with XPS, XRD, SEM, STM, AFM and multi-wavelength ellipsometry.
- Used Python and TCL script to develop a phenomenological model on the dynamics of self-defects in rutile titanium dioxide.
- Developed ab initio many-body methods for a wide range of structural, dynamic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic properties of molecular crystals.
- Applied these methods to high-pressure, proton-ordered phase of ice and predicted its structure, equation of states, infrared, Raman, and inelastic neutron scattering spectra, and their pressure dependence and band assignments.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Hirata, S., Gilliard, K., He, X., Li, J., and Sode, O., “Ab Initio Molecular Crystal Structures, Spectra, and Phase Diagrams,” Accounts of Chemical Research, 7, 2721 (2014).
Gilliard, K., Sode, O., and Hirata, S., “Second-Order Many-Body Perturbation and Coupled-Cluster Singles and Doubles Study of Ice VIII,”Journal of Chemical Physics, 40, 174507 (2014).
Trallero, C., Pearson, B., Weinacht, T., Gilliard, K., and Matsika, S., “Interpreting Ultrafast Molecular Fragmentation Dynamics with Ab Initio Electronic Structure Calculations,” Journal of Chemical Physics, 128, 124107 (2008).
BOOK CHAPTERS
Hirata, S., Gilliard, K., He, X., Kecili, M., Li, J., Salim, M., Sode, O., and Yagi, K., “Ab Initio Ice, Dry Ice, and Liquid Water,” Fragmentation: Toward Accurate Calculations on Complex Molecular Systems edited by Mark S. Gordon (Wiley, Chichester, 2016).
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Learning in Community ENG 315, Instructor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Spring 2013
- Physical Chemistry CHEM 442, Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Spring 2012
- Forensic Chemistry, Instructor, Association for Women in Forensic Science Outreach. Spring 2011
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Founder/CEO
Nardo Technology, EnterpriseWorks December 2015 – Present
- Developed patent-pending portable electroanalytical sensor device to accurately identify narcotics, explosives and biological agents.
- Participated in National Science Foundation I-CORP program to test feasibility of company.
Forensic Scientist II
City of Philadelphia, Police Department April 2009 – June 2011
- Performed quantitative and qualitative chemical analyses using wet chemical, microcrystalline and instrumental techniques to identify controlled substances, precursors, by-products and other substances used in the preparation and synthesis of illicit drugs.
- Designed new experiments to analyze new explicit “designer drugs” such as synthetic marijuana.
- Prepared technical reports for distribution to City, State, and Federal agencies.
- Testified in court as an expert witness on individual findings and chemical tests.
Quality Control Chemist
Sunoco Chemicals, Quality Control September 2007 – April 2009
- Used knowledge of quality control regulated methods to test environmental, intermediate and finished product samples.
- Monitored and adjusted various inhibitors of plant products such as Glacial Acetic Acid used in the production area.
- Performed maintenance and ensured proper calibration of GC/MS, LC/MS and UV/Vis Instruments.
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
- Illinois Innovation Finalist for Most Innovative Graduate Student Spring 2016
- Harry Drickamer Fellowship Fall 2014 – Fall 2015
- Graduate College Academic Excellence and Good Citizenship Spring 2015
- Thomas Breslin Scholarship Fall 2013 – Fall 2014
- University of Illinois Graduate College Fellowship Fall 2011 – Fall 2013
- Finalist for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting Fall 2012
- American Chemical Society Elli Lilly Travel Award Spring 2012
- Center for Advanced Theory Travel Award Spring 2012
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- American Vacuum Society (AVS) 2015 - Present
- Women in Chemistry at UIUC, Chair Fall 2013 – Fall 2014
- Provost Graduate College Student Committee, Advisory Board Fall 2012 – Fall 2013
- American Chemical Society, Member 2011 – Present
- Association of Women in Forensic Science, Advisory Board 2011 – Present
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, Member 2011 - Present
INVITED ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Gilliard, K.,”Entrepreneurship at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign,” Entrepreneurship for Engineers Workshop, Urbana, Illinois, Spring 2016.
Gilliard, K., “Surface Chemistry for Defect Engineering of Rutile TiO2,” Chemical Engineering Research Symposium, Urbana, Illinois, Spring 2016.
Gilliard, K. "Cross Examination of Forensic Professionals," Temple University, Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Spring 2011.
Gilliard, K. "Cross Examination of Forensic Professionals," Temple University, Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Spring 2010.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Gilliard, K., “Surface Chemistry to Control Bulk Reaction Dynamics of Rutile TiO2,” AVS Prairie Chapter Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, September 2016.
Gilliard, K., “Surface Chemistry to Control Bulk Reaction Dynamics of Rutile TiO2,” National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, Orlando, Florida, October 2015.
Gilliard, K., “Coupled-Cluster and Many-Body Perturbation study of Ice-VIII,” Midwest Theoretical Chemistry Conference, Champaign, Illinois, May 2013.
Gilliard, K., “Second-Order Perturbation Theory Study of Ice-VIII under Compression,” Sanibel Symposium, St. Simons Island, Georgia, February 2013.
Gilliard, K., "Conical Intersections of Ethylene and Ethylene with Magnesium," Temple University, Beury Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 2006.
Gilliard, K., "Conical Intersections of Ethylene and Ethylene with Magnesium," Temple University, Beury Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 2005.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENCE OUTREACH
- Entrepreneur Mentor
Young Entrepreneur Program, Centennial High school Spring 2016 – Fall 2016
Mentor and assist high school students in the development and creation of a unique business in the Champaign-Urbana area.
- Graduate Mentor
Girls in STEM, Society of Women Engineers Spring 2016
Led discussion on semiconductor research and graduate school life to 15-18 year old high school students.
- Recruiter Assistant
University of Illinois, Chemistry Department Fall 2012 – Fall 2015
Assisted the Graduate Director of Diversity at large conferences to help in the recruitment of underrepresented minorities.
- Business Consultant
Range of Motion Project, Ecuador Spring 2015
Assisted in the construction of a cost/benefit model for the greater Ecuadorian region.
- Chair of Women Chemist Committee
University of Illinois, Chemistry Department Spring 2013 – Spring 2014
Organized outreach events such as workshops for the professional development of graduate women in chemistry and chemical engineering.