Merlin NGACHIN

703 NW 111^th Ct. #6, Miami, FL 33172

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Geosciences

GPA: 3.83

Florida International University, Miami, FL

July 2011

 

Degree of Advanced Studies in Physics (Radiation Protection and Dosimetry)

University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

August 2001

 

Master of Science in Physics (Solid State Physics)

University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

September 1997

 

Bachelor of Science in Physics

University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

September 1996

 

EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant, US DOE Fellow

May 2007 - Present, Applied Research Center, Miami, FL

·         Research Assistant working on DOE D&D project in developing Lattice Boltzmann Model for multiphase flows, with implication to high level waste processing at Hanford site

·         Research Assistant simulating the behavior of gases (dissolved or bubbles) in peat  soils with implications to methane gas generation

·         Assisted in performing DOE D&D project in evaluating an Innovative Technology (SIMWyPES, Developed at Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge National Laboratory) for Removal loose radioactive contaminants from surfaces by Smearing Procedures

·         Leaded team in evaluating, testing puncture-resistant materials utilized to protect Beta-Scintillation detector used for in-situ monitoring at DOE sites

·         Conduct contamination  survey of the radiation laboratories and discuss issues with the Radiation Safety Officer

·         Perform the calibration of alpha, beta detectors

·         Perform site decontamination

 

Research Scientist

May 2004 – Feb. 2007, ICTP, Regional Agency for Environmental Protection, Trieste/Udine, Italy

·         Performed experimental and simulation of Efficiency calibration of HPGe detector using different geometries

·         Developed and implemented method for soil radon measurement  using passive nuclear track detectors such as LR-115 and CR-39 and active methods with Alpha Guard detector

·         Developed and implemented method for radioactivity level and radon exhalation from geological matrices  using gamma spectrometry

·         Assisted in the evaluation of temporal variation of radon in soil in the city of Udine, Italy

·         Assisted in evaluating the radon concentration in Kinder Garden building using passive nuclear track detector

·         Assisted in the maintenance of liquid nitrogen cooling system for HPGe detectors

·         Performed Calibration of HPGe detection system

 

                                               

Research Scientist

May 2006-September 2006, University of Louis Pasteur / IPHC-CNRS, Strasbourg, FRANCE

·         Implemented Monte Carlo method for self-absorption measurement in large samples using LABSOCS and MCNP4C simulation code

·         Implemented  Monte Carlo code for in-situ measurement using ISOCS and Geant4 Simulation code

·         Completed sample collection, sample preparation and data analysis

·         Assisted in the maintenance of liquid nitrogen cooling system for HPGe detectors 

·         Assisted in writing and editing multiple research publications

Research Scientist

Feb. 2002-June 2006, Geological Institute of Mining Research, Nuclear Science Division, Cameroon

·         Conducted and leaded fieldwork for radioactivity level in volcanic area and uranium-bearing region in Cameroon

·         Developed strategies to manage waste resulting from medical and industrial applications of radioactive materials

·         Developed and implemented strategies in evaluating dose to the public and the associated uncertainty

·         Assisted in the development and the implementation of procedure to maintain radiological security and instruments in good working condition

·         Developed and implemented calibration  procedure in accordance with the Radiological work permit

·         Developed and reviewed procedures necessary to maintain Quality Assurance and Quality Control

 

Instructor

Sept. 2000-Jan. 2002, Department of Physics, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

Sept. 1997-August. 2000, Department of Physics, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon   

 

INTERNSHIPS

Research Assistant, DOE Fellow

June 2008 – August 2008, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA

·         Worked on DOE project  in developing and implementing computer code for external photon dose rates in U.S. Counties Based on Airborne Gamma Spectrometry

·         Assisted in the development of US counties map on naturally occurring radioactive materials

·         Assisted in debugging Genii V. 2 Dosimetry Code for environmental monitoring

·         Prepared the manuscript presented at the 54th Health Physics Society Meeting in Minneapolis

 

AWARDS AND HONORS

·         NSF Travel Award, 2010

·         U.S. Department of Energy Poster Exhibition and Competition Award (3rd place), 2008

·         U.S. Department of Energy Fellowship, 2008 – present

·         French Minister of Foreign Affairs Fellow, 2006

·         International Atomic Energy Agency Fellow (IAEA), 2002, 2004, 2005

·         Best Graduate students Award, 1998

 

SKILLS

·         Used of PC-based Gamma spectrometer system, Geiger Muller Pancake detector (model 44-9),  Alpha Scintillator ZnS(Ag) (model 43-90), NaI Gamma Scintillator (Ludlum model 44-2 and model 44.10), AlphaGuard detector

 

·         Laboratory skills: Energy and efficiency calibration of Gamma-ray spectrometers, Calibration of portable detector, Development and analyze of Solid State Nuclear Track Detector Films (cellulose nitrate, LR115 and polycarbonate, CR39) using spark counter, Radosys Optical microscope system to analyze CR-39 detectors, Radon and Thoron measurement using EPERM electrets, Crystal growth and characterization using chemical and electrochemical etching processes, knowledge of electric  appliances emitting X-rays and particle accelerators, Wipe test evaluation, Radiation surveys evaluation, Personal monitoring evaluation.  

 

·         Computer skills: UNIX/Linux and MS Windows platforms and common description publishing software: MSWord, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint, Reference Manager, and Latex.

Software: MATLAB, FORTRAN C++ various Linux Desktop Distributions

Hydrogeology and Water resource software and code: Lattice Boltzmann Method, MODFLOW, MT3D, MODPATH, PHREEQC, Groundwater Vistas, Standmod

Gamma spectrometry software: Genie 2000, LABSOCS, ISOCS

Monte Carlo Simulation code in Nuclear Science: MCNP and GEANT4.

Risk Analysis Environmental dosimetry code: GENII V.2

 

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS

·         Certified Radiation Protection Adviser, RPA, University Louis Pasteur, IPHC/CNRS, Strasbourg, France, 2006

·         Certified Radiation Protection Officer, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2003

-       Specialized in risk assessment

-       Safety and Health

-       NORM assessment

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Health Physics Society (Member)
• American Geophysical Union (Member)
• (This résumé was posted on 31 August 2011.)