Current Research

I study mechanical properties of carbon materials, more specifically graphene. Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms. It presents many attractive properties to basic science and to industry (see Physics Nobel Prize 2010). I work on analytical calculations and C programming simulations of ripples and cracks in graphene.

Experience

Assistant Instructor and Teaching Assistant
University of Texas at Austin, 2005-present
Taught various physics classes, from basic to advanced topics (laboratory and theory).
Classes of 20 to 80 students – non-science majors, pre-meds, and science majors.
Prepared and taught classes, held discussion sections, wrote homeworks and tests, and graded assignments.

Community Outreach

RLM recycling: UT-Austin Physics, Astronomy, and Math departments recycling group, 2008-present
Founded and organized recycling for: batteries, cell phones, CFL light bulbs, ink cartridge, packaging materials, plastic, and aluminum for a 17 story building.
Gathered 20 volunteers.
Developed an e-mail list and a web page with information about recycling on campus and in Austin, TX.

Austin-Wide Electronic Waste Drive, 2009 and 2010
Advertised the event and volunteering opportunities.
Organized the volunteering committee.
Recruited volunteers.
Coordinated shifts for 100 volunteers per event.

Education

Ph.D. Physics
The University of Texas at Austin, 2005 – 2011 (expected)
Dissertation topic: Mechanical properties of carbon materials (graphene).

M.S. Physics
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2003 – 2005
Dissertation topic: Electronic properties of metallic nanoparticles.

B.S. Physics
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 1997 – 2003

Selected Publications and Events

• Rippling of graphene, Europhys. Lett. 85 46002 (2009)

• 4th Canada-America-Mexico Graduate Student Physics Conference, Mexico 2009

• American Physical Society March Meeting, USA 2009

• Workshop on Opportunities in Energy Research, American Physical Society, USA 2008

• Summer School on Condensed Matter Physics, Princeton University,USA 2007

• College on Physics of Nano-Devices, International Center for Theoretical Physics, Italy 2006

Awards

Fulbright-CAPES Fellowship, 2005-2009

F.A. Matsen Graduate Fellowship in Physics, UT-Austin, 2008-2009

College of Natural Science Special Fellowship, UT-Austin, 2007-2008

David Bruton Jr. Fellowship, UT-Austin, 2006-2007

Dean’s Excellence Award, UT-Austin, 2005-2006

CAPES Fellowship, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2003-2005

CNPq Fellowship, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 1998-2000

Skills and Hobbies

Computers and Programming: Linux, Windows, Microsoft Office, LaTeX, Origin, FORTRAN, and C programming.

Languages: Portuguese (native), English (fluent), and Spanish (competent).

Interests: Environmental issues in general (energy research, waste disposal and recycling, carbon footprint
and climate change). Also travelling and yoga.