ABOUT ME
A lifelong learner with a passion for solving problems using computers.
Hi! My name is Will Pisani. In my day job, I use supercomputers to design next-generation materials for force protection. In some of my spare time, I make music with computers. My go-to programming languages are Python and Julia, but I am also skilled in BASH and R. I have some experience with SQL, C++, FORTRAN, and MATLAB.
Skills
- Python
- BASH
- Julia
- R
- Git/GitHub/GitLab
- LaTeX/Microsoft Office
- GIMP
- Visual Studio Code
- HTML/CSS
- Technical Writing
- Molecular Dynamics
- Density Functional Theory
- Multiscale Modeling
- Micromechanics Theory
Education
Michigan Technological University
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics, Outstanding Scholarship Award
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Magna Cum Laude
Southwest Minzu University (USAC) - Chengdu, China
Chinese Language & Culture Coursework, Link to journal I wrote
Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow - Research Chemist
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ERDC Environmental Laboratory
Nov. 2019 - Current
- Published four first-author papers (1, 2, 3, 4) and co-authored five published papers with ERDC and Michigan Tech collaborators (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) that have been cited 61 times
- Wrote a Python package for 60% faster analysis of molecular dynamics stress-strain data
- Achieved a 60% faster workflow by writing internal tools in Python and Julia
- Accelerated analysis of simulation data by a factor of 1000 by developing an automated R code
- Collaborated with a small team on an internal GitLab-hosted Python module for computational chemistry
- Created a semi-automated protocol that uses Julia and Python to create new polymer molecules and pre- and post-reaction fix bond/react templates faster and easier
- Extended a Python class for reading and manipulating molecular topologies with new functionality including reading and writing compressed files
- Spearheaded the setup of several scientific codes for use by our research team on a new Navy supercomputer
- Secured a military workstation to the compliance spec required for connection to the ERDC network
- Worked on several different material systems: polymer aerogels; soil oxide - amino acid complexes; polymer composites with a variety of fillers including carbon nanotubes, graphene, glass beads, iron nanoparticles; nanolayers of hard/soft polymers
Research Assistant - Computational Materials Science
Michigan Technological University
Jan. 2015 - Oct. 2019
- Wrote thousands of lines of Python and R code to analyze gigabytes of data generated by atomic simulations run via high-performance computing clusters
- Mentored by Dr. Gregory M. Odegard, John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics
- Published two first-author papers (1, 2) and one book (1)
- Co-wrote five papers cited 94 times
- Compiled scientific computing software regularly for use on Linux systems
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Michigan Technological University
Sept. 2018 - May 2019
- Delivered $85,000 of quality instruction to 90 students
- Teaching evaluations were in the 90th percentile resulting in two Outstanding Teaching Awards
Plant Design Intern
Michigan Technological University
May 2014 - Aug. 2014
- Redesigned a case study for the senior plant design course using the UniSim software
- Mentored by Dr. Tony N. Rogers, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering
Assistant Pool Director, Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, Checker
Charles E. Fairman Community Pool, Big Rapids, MI
Summer 2009 - 2012, 2014
- Instructed child, adult, and handicap swim lessons
- Trained new staff and supervised lifeguards/staff
- Was certified as a Lifeguard Instructor/First Aid/CPR/AED