Frank Gyngard, PhD
Application Scientist and Research Consultant
Email:
Phone:
314.368.3408
Business Address:
225 Walden St.
Suite 6N
Cambridge MA, 02140
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Welcome and thanks for visiting!
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The application of micro and nano-analytical techniques to any type of sample, both extraterrestrial and biological, is paramount. For a comprehensive list of my over 100 publications, go to: https://tinyurl.com/29hapzdc
Recently colleagues and I have employed novel nanoscale techniques to better understand the cause of Alzheimer's disease. This ongoing research is being performed at Washington University in St. Louis Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School.
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My personal research interests have previously been focused on isotopic and elemental studies of stardust grains. Specifically, I have worked to determine, for the first time, the cosmic ray exposure ages of individual grains by measuring Li, He, and Ne isotopic ratios in presolar SiC grains. These are literally the oldest objects in the Solar System!
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Along with colleagues, I have also been involved in the software development of an automated measurement system for the NanoSIMS ion microprobe that is being used to search for ultra-rare stardust grains.
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JOB HISTORY
2018-2022
Lecturer on Medicine and Research Scientist
Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
I was in charge of directing the day-to-day operation of the Harvard NanoSIMS 50L. As the sole person running the Center for NanoImaging, I also was responsible for much of the preparation and documentation of the samples.
2018-Present
Consulting Science Editor
Accdon LLC, Waltham, MA
I am an as-needed editor for scientists to improve their manuscripts prior to submission and publication. I provide extensive expert comments to authors, strengthening their written research documents.
2011-2017
NanoSIMS Lab Director and Research Scientist
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
As the director of the Washington University Laboratory for Space Science group’s NanoSIMS, I published and developed instrumental techniques resulting in several NASA grants.
2009-2011
Postdoctoral Fellow
Carnegie Institution of Science, Washington, D.C.
At the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, I applied micro and nano-analytical techniques to search for grains with isotopic compositions that pushed the limits of our current understanding of nucleosynthesis in stars.
EDUCATION
2005-2009
PhD, Physics - Emphasis Astrophysics
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO
PhD thesis: Isotopic Studies of Presolar SiC and Oxide Grains as Probes of Nucleosynthesis and the Chemical Evolution of the Galaxy
2003-2005
Masters Degree, Physics
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO
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1999-2003
Bachelor Degree, Physics and Music - Minor Pure Mathematics
Saint Louis University, St. Louis MO
Bachelors thesis in general relativity simulations of rotating, super-fluid neutron stars. I also majored in woodwinds, and minored in theoretical mathematics.
TECHNICAL FAMILIARITY
SECONDARY ION MASS SPECTROMETRY
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Cameca f Series - 3f, 6f, & 7f
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NanoSIMS 50 and 50L
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SHRIMP and SHRIMP RG
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
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Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
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Auger electron spectroscopy
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High spatial resolution imaging
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Focused ion beam lift-outs
SAMPLE MANIPULATION AND DESIGN
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Micromanipulation with both analog and digital manipulators
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Custom design of sample holders
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Development of novel sample preparation techniques