Senior in Materials Science and Engineering
Hometown: Savoy, Illinois
Research Project: Ternary Diboride Thin Films for Extreme Environments
Faculty Sponsor: Prof. Jessica Krogstad
Research Mentor: Samyukta Shrivastav

Dana started her research work as an undergraduate lab assistant in the Kriven Research Group at U of I. Her project involved the synthesis of high-entropy ceramics, composed of five randomly distributed elements in a single structure, and analyzing responses to high temperatures. In summer 2019, she was a lab researcher in the O’Carroll Research Group at Rutgers University. She developed new infrared-reflecting materials that will improve cost and energy efficiency of several instruments.

In her current research project with Prof. Krogstad, she aims to understand the effect of aluminum in diboride films at high temperatures by obtaining their crystallization and oxidation kinetics. The addition of aluminum in diborides (material needed in many industries for their resilience in extreme environments) may aid in the stability and characteristics of the material.

She has taken leadership roles in different organizations. She is the internal vice president of the Korean American Student Association, marketing director of the Institute for Solar Photovoltaic Innovation, Research, and Edu-Training, and is on the Committee on Environmental Sustainability.

After graduation, she will be attending a Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies conference in early August where Korean scientists and engineers from all around the world come together in Korea to share science and culture. In late August 2022, she will begin her R&D Engineer position at Sonoco in Hartsville, South Carolina. She will be in the Rigid Paper Packaging team focusing on sustainable packaging projects!