Travis Sefzik's Homepage

Education -

• University of Pittsburgh: B.S., Mechanical Engineering (Dec. 2010)
• The Ohio State University: M.S., Physical Chemistry (Aug. 2007)
• Washington and Jefferson College: B.A., Chemistry (May 2003)

• Resume

Publications -

1. "Modeling NMR Chemical Shift: A Survey of Density Functional Theory Approaches for Calculating Tensor Properties", T.H. Sefzik, D. Turco, R.J. Iuliucci, and J.C. Facelli, J Phys Chem A, 109 (6), 1180-1187, (2005)
2. "Modeling the ¹³C Chemical-shielding Tensor in organic Single-crystals by Quantum Mechanical Methods Finite Basis Set Effects", T.H. Sefzik, J.M. Fidler, R.J. Iuliucci, and J.C. Facelli, Magn. Reson. Chem., 44, 390-400, (2006)
3. "Solid-state Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Investigation of Pyrex^®", S. Prasad, T.M. Clark, T.H. Sefzik, H-T. Kwak, Z. Gan, and P.J. Grandinetti, J Non-Cryst Solids, 352, 2834-2840, (2006)
4. "Solid-state ¹⁷O NMR in carbohydrates", T.H. Sefzik, J.B. Houseknecht, T.M. Clark, S. Prasad, T.L. Lowary, Z. Gan, and P.J. Grandinetti, Chem. Phys. Lett., 343, 312-315, (2007)
5. "A Computational Investigation of ¹⁷O Quadrupolar Coupling Parameters and Structure in alpha-Quartz Phase GeO₂", T.H. Sefzik, T.M. Clark, and P.J. Grandinetti, Solid State Nucl. Magn. Reson., 32, 16-23, (2007)
6. "Correlating NMR Parameters to Structure in Solids", T.H. Sefzik, Thesis, (2007)
7. "Use of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Smart Drilling Fluids", T.H. Sefzik, J.-K. Lee, et. al., (in preparation), (2009)

Presentations -

1. "Quantitative Analysis of Polydimethylsiloxane Foams", T.H. Sefzik, R.J. Iuliucci, K. Hakonson and W.K. Hollis, Pittcon, March 2003 (Orlando, Fla)
2. "Solid-state Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Investigation of Pyrex^®", S. Prasad, T.M. Clark, H-T. Kwak, T.H. Sefzik, and P.J. Grandinetti, Experimental NMR Conf., April 2005 (Providence, RI)
3. "²⁹Si Chemical Shift Anisotropy Measurements in Siloxane Compounds and Modeling the Chemical Shift Tensor", J.M. Fidler, G.T. Burg, T.H. Sefzik, and R.J. Iuliucci, The 4th Alpine Converence on Solid-State NMR, Sept. 2005 (Chamonix-Mont Blac, France)
4. "Use of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Smart Drilling Fluids", J.-K. Lee, T. Sefzik, Y.-H. Son, M. Chyu, T. X. Phuoc, Y. Soong, and D. Martello, American Association of Drilling Engineers National Technical Conference & Exhibition, March 2009 (Houston, TX)

Affiliations -

• American Chemical Society (2001)
  • Secretary of Younger Chemists Committee, Pittsburgh Section (2009)
  • Webmaster of Younger Chemists Committee, Pittsburgh Section (2008, 2009)
• Pittsburgh Technology Council (2007)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2008)
  • President, U. Pittsburgh Student Section (2009)
  • Webmaster, U. Pittsburgh Student Section (2009)
• Tau Beta Pi (2009) - Webmaster, U. Pittsburgh Student Section (2009)

About me -

I earned my M.S. in physical chemistry at Ohio State working with Dr. Philip Grandinetti, where we explored quadrupolar nuclei using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Prior to my graduate study, I earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. There I worked with Dr. Robbie Iuliucci investigating theoretical chemical shift tensors of spin-1/2 nuclei.

After serious reflection and several epiphanies I decided to leave Ohio State, resulting in my master's degree, upon the realization that I no longer wished to pursue a university research/teaching position. In January of 2008 I returned to school. I am currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh where I am studying Mechanical Engineering. I have begun research there with Dr. Jung-Kun Lee examining the rheometric properties of magnetic drilling fluids (particulary, for use in petrolium extraction).

In my spare time I like to take pictures - the subject of many are the hobbies that I try my best to maintain (though usually poorly). Among these are guitar playing, taking apart my guitars/amps to play with the circuitry, building "things" (i.e., whatever I am imagining at the moment), and trying my best to finish a book now-and-then.

Contact -

E-mail: tsefzik@gmail.com

Snail Mail:
P.O. Box 427
Midway, Pa.
15060