Senior R&D Chemist Andrew Mercado 2678 North McMullen Booth Rd., Apt.821 Clearwater, Florida 33761 Phone: (216)-716-9990 andrewluismercado@gmail.com Experienced and Innovative Materials Research Scientist QUALIFICATIONS OVERVIEW • Well-qualified and technically-proficient Research Scientist with more than nine years physics and material science laboratory experience and academic qualifications • Substantial experience in sophisticated research techniques and technologies: deposition systems, composite processing, thin films, vacuum and surface science instruments, material testing, surface technology, high temperature ceramic composites, reactive metal matrix composites • Organized, take-charge professional with exceptional follow through abilities and a creative approach to problem solving; able to plan and oversee projects from concept to successful conclusion • Demonstrated ability to successfully write and conduct research towards Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grants, proven ability to take a research idea from a Phase I idea to a commercial product in Phase III • Expertise in lab and field research, data collection/analysis, material processing, and project management • Extensive experience managing cross-functional scientific and research teams EDUCATION M.Sc., Engineering Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 2004 Master’s Thesis entitled “Laser Processing of Biodegradable Polymers” B. Sc., Physics, Cum Laude, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA 2001 Completed MBA coursework, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 2005 – 2006 • “Winning Strategies for Creating and Launching Technical Products” • “Project Management: Detailed Planning and Execution” Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA • “Synthetics Design II” 2005 • “Materials that Shape Civilization” 2003 – 2004 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Senior R&D Chemist Florikan E.S.A. LLC and Profile 2022-Present • Responsible for identifying potential Polyols, index ratios, crosslinking additives, and waxes for use in/with Polyurethane coatings for Controlled Fertilizer Release • Doing R&D Soak Tests and measurements of coated Fertilizers over extended times with a Conductivity meter and Refractometer • Providing Guidance, management, and setting up experiments for Production Runs and doing laboratory-scale experiments to identify potential polyol, fertilizer, plant additive, micronutrient additive, wax, etc. for use in product development. • Putting all data into statistical software, Excel and JMP, to graph data to compare control releases of all experiments and soak tests. • Ordering and managing all materials needed to sustain the R&D and QC lab. • Leading members of the QC lab in doing R&D experiments also that I planned, trained them to execute, managed, and did R&D soak tests of after they were done. Graduate Research Assistant 2007 – 2010 Assistant to Professor Steven Suib University of Connecticut Storrs, CT • Primary research focused on the processing of high-temperature ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) for engine composites in a lab supported by Pratt Whitney. • Sol-gel processing methods of oxides were developed to infiltrate into Nextel™ and Nicalon fabric laminated oxide composites. • Preceramic polymer fabrication of siloxanes in inert gaseous environments for use in polymer impregnation and pyrolysis of SiC/C/SiC and SiC/SiC CMCs. • Chemical vapor deposition methodologies of nitride, carbide and organometallics for uses as interfaces, protective layers, matrixes, and a novel oxide interface were developed for a 9 mm to 6-inch tube reactors. • Metal alkoxide, chelating agent, and acid-reflux methodologies were used to fabricate titanium oxide sols for memristor and electric pulse-induced resisting switching. Research Scientist 2005 – 2007 Powdermet, Inc, Euclid, OH • Primary research focused on particle synthesis, processing, characterization, testing, and part fabrication of specialized materials for Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grant solicitations. • Materials used in this research were structural energetic reactive metal matrix composites, thermobaric reactive materials, radiation protected magnetic materials, advanced armor ammunition coatings, hydrogen storage and solid fuel particle synthesis, anti-corrosion metal particle coatings, powder particle milling, diamond processing, and part fabrication from these materials. • Processing and advanced processing techniques used for these research grants included: • Fluidized Bed Chemical Vapor Deposition (FBCVD) • Spray drying/wurster coating • Injection molding/extrusion • Warm pressing/rolling • Pressure vessel synthesis • Electrolysis and electroless metal coating • Ball, media and attrition milling • Wet etching • Reactor design and standard operating procedures, SBIR Grant proposals, characterization of materials, part fabrication, and equipment assemblage were developed and utilized to advance company research interests. Graduate Research Assistant 2004 Assistant to Professor Harsha Chelliah University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA • Experiments funded by NASA reduced gravity program for gravity and microgravity experimentation and instrument usage design. • Focused on validating NASA’s theoretical fuel combustion model by experimentally igniting carbon and magnesium particles in gravity and reduced gravity situations to prove how combustion is affected by gravity for future Mars applications. • Part design and fabrication. • Optical design, setup and alignment. • Carbon char combustion in vacuum chamber. • Collaborated with other academic groups for characterization purposes. Graduate Research Assistant 2001 – 2003 Assistant to Professor James M. Fitz-Gerald University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA • Primary research focused on laser processing and subsequent thin film and surface characterization of polymer, metal, ceramic nanometer thin films for use in various applications. • Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) • Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) • In addition to research, responsible for lab setup, including vacuum chamber assembly, gas and water lines installation and laser optics setup. • Collaborated with other departments, specifically Chemistry for characterization purposes. I directed an outside lab to do testing of the PLGA-coated Budesonide to see how it got into the specimen’s lungs and reacted. I had to do the FTIR, NMR, GPC, SEM, and other materials characterization of the PLGA coating. Intern 2000 – 2001 Lockheed-Martin Lakeland, FL • Verified documentation and designed flow diagram of Mark #41 Cell Missile System. • Reviewed and verified test data against test specifications. • Maintained all testing documentation. Lab Prep Assistant 1998 – 2001 Physics Department University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA • Set up and prepared physics labs for various classes. • Maintained and organized lab inventory. • Tutored and graded student assignments and tests. • Maintained all academic records. Substitute Teacher 1998 – 1999 Fauquier County Schools Warrenton, VA • Supervised high school and elementary school classrooms in teacher’s absence. • Received teacher opt-out training for placement on county’s permanent substitute teacher list. • Directed students to accomplish curriculum objectives and goals as instructed by lesson plans. • Complied with school attendance policies and procedures. • Adhered to all procedures, guidelines and policies followed by regular teachers in line with recommended teaching procedures. PUBLICATIONS Smith , C. (pen name) (2021). Poetry From behind Mental Walls. Book Baby. Print ISBN: 9781098395865 E-book ISBN: 9781098395872 Smith , C. (pen name) (2021). A Patient’s Narrative. Book Baby. Print ISBN: 9781667831237 E-book ISBN: 9781667831244 Timothy P. Coons, J. W. Reutenauer, Andrew Mercado, Michael A. Kmetz, Steven L. Suib (2003). "The Characterization of an Oxide Interfacial Coating for Cermaic Matrix Composites." Materials Science and Engineering: A 573: 190-196. Nable, J.; Mercado, A,; Sherman, A. “Novel Energetic Composite Materials” Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 2005, 896, H01 Chelliah, H.K., Miller, F.J., Kelley, A., Mercado, A., and Warfield, B., “Heterogeneous Combustion of Porous Carbon Particles Under Normal and Reduced Gravity,” Fourth Joint Meeting of the U.S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Philadelphia, PA, March 2005. Invited Book Chapter in “Pulsed Laser Deposition of thin films: Applications in Electronics, Sensors and Biomaterials,” Chapter Title: “Coating Powders for Drug Delivery Systems Using Pulsed Laser Deposition”: J.D. Talton, B. Eppler, M.I. Davis, A.L. Mercado, and J.M. Fitz-Gerald, edited by R. Eason, (accepted, in-press, 2005). A.L. Mercado, C.E. Allmond, J.G. Hoekstra and J.M. Fitz-Gerald “Pulsed Laser Depositions vs. Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation for Growth of Biodegradable Polymer Thin Films,” Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing Online First (2004). Master’s Thesis: “Laser Processing of Biodegradable Polymers” (May 2004). A.L. Mercado, J.M. Fitz-Gerald, R. Johnson, C. Fraser, and J.D. Talton, “Application of Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation Methods for the Development of Biodegradable Powder Coatings and Thin Films,” Mat. Res. Soc. Proc., 780, pp. Y4.4.1, (2003). AWARDS Minority Fellowship Award, University of CT 2007 – 2010 Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Award 1998 – 2001 Eagle Scout of Virginia 1997 IMPESSA Advances Jr. Leadership Training & Citizenship Award 1997 Who’s Who Among High School Students 1994 – 1997