1. Michael McDonald
24 Pearson Rd., Apt. 2, Somerville MA 02144 USA | Ph: (617) 686-3460 | mmcdon@mit.edu
Forward-thinking inventor with a strong research background in materials science and chemistry. A Ph.D. in chemistry
with postdoctoral experience in chemical engineering at MIT looking to enter industrial R&D in the challenging and fast-
moving materials sector. A team player with exceptional scientific and leadership skills that will bring vision to
organizations involved in electrochemical energy.
Technical Highlights
Electrochemistry Materials Science Polymer Characterization
Electrolysis & Fuel Cells Battery Engineering Sustainable Energy
Membranes (Incl. PEM & AEM) Prototype Design & Fabrication Chemical Synthesis
Spectroscopy Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Atomic Force Microscopy Electron Microscopy X-ray Diffraction
Education
Ph.D. – Chemistry (2015) University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada)
B.Sc. – Chemistry (2009) University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada)
Related Skills & Experience
Research
• Designed and carried out a project independently for the MIT Center for Electrochemical Energy Storage, part
of a major international collaboration between MIT and the Skolkovo Institute of Technology (Russian
Federation), contributing expertise in polymers for battery applications (2015 – present)
o Dual Li-ion and electron conductors constructed of new polymer composites for
graphite/binder/collector-free Li-ion battery electrodes. Fabrication of systematically
varied sample blends; measurement of morphological (e.g. TEM, WAXD, AFM, DSC)
and standard electrochemical properties for battery application
• Leading member of the membrane research division for a large NSF collaboration to develop integrated solar-
to-hydrogen conversion technology at MIT (2015 – present)
o Designed and constructed an instrument capable of measuring gas crossover in
novel, nanostructured membranes; and hydrogen production in unassisted solar
water electrolysis
• Performed both independent and collaborative research in chemistry and materials science in completing
doctorate (2009 – 2014)
o Designed, fabricated and characterized (four point probe, voltammetry, SEM) novel
composite membranes from state-of-the-art materials, including conducting polymers,
ion-exchange polymers, transparent conductive oxides, and graphene, in a laboratory
setting for new, integrated solar-to-hydrogen conversion technology (NSF
collaboration)
o Worked with and alongside more than twenty group members on a daily basis, and
with over twenty other collaborators throughout the United States in a unilateral effort
to develop the new alternative energy technology
• Published four lead author papers on the successful advancement of these membranes and one patent on the
discovery of a new water dissociation catalyst for industrial application in water treatment. Also collaborated
with engineers by constructing a solid state reference electrode to use in sensor applications, resulting in an
additional publication in another discipline (2010 – 2014)

2. Technical Communications
• Presented eight oral (including the 217th
and 228th
Meeting of the Electrochemical Society and an invitation to
the chemistry department at the University of California, Irvine) and more than ten poster (including the 2014
Gordon Research Conference on Solar Fuels) demonstrations internationally throughout a five year period to
showcase my advances in solar fuels (2010 – 2014) and battery (2015 – present) research
• Prepared, submitted and managed reviews of all manuscripts and figures therein, where I was the lead author
to successfully publish (2010 – present)
• Drafted the provisional patent documentation of my graphene catalyst invention and collaborated with a patent
lawyer to review file the application (2014)
• Invited to review two manuscripts for the peer-reviewed journals ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and
Angewandte Chemie based on my publication record and history of working with the editors (2014, 2015)
Leadership & Peer Development
• Instructed, supervised, and evaluated senior undergraduate students in the Manitoba Chemical Analysis
Laboratory where they performed projects on top-end chromatography, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopic
instruments (GC, HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-OES, UV-vis) to prepare them for industry direct entrance (2012 – 2013)
• Supervised more than five senior undergraduate project and summer research students to advance both their
proposals as well as their knowledge of chemical research (2010 – 2014)
• Instructed and evaluated first year undergraduate chemistry students on fundamental chemistry research skills
and invigilated and marked reports and examinations (2009, 2013 – 2014)
Related Community Service Experience
• Piloted and executed a new chapter of SHArK, an international initiative aimed at engaging top high school
science students in real chemical research related to solar energy materials discovery in inner city schools to
develop science skills for university, and raise awareness of energy issues to young people (2010 – 2014)
• Piloted a customized program of SHArK at the Science Club for Girls in Boston (minority, low income) upon
moving to MIT (2015 – present)
• Served as president of the Chemistry Graduate Students Association at the University of Manitoba by
managing group finances, fundraisers and space, and planning workplace building events to develop intra-
department relationships and network graduate students, professors, industry and visiting scholars (2011 –
2013)
• Served as a member of both the Faculty of Science Endowment Committee (2012 – 2013) and Chemistry
Faculty Search Committee (2013) to identify and execute the University’s strategy in terms of developing
infrastructure and recruiting key personnel.
Related Certifications & Awards
• ACS Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy. Short course focused on training for
performing chemistry with safer, less toxic, and more efficient methods. Montréal, QC (2011)
• Kaufman Teaching Certificate, MIT summer course to prepare researchers for teaching advanced and
university level science and engineering courses (letter from MIT dean available upon request)
• Over five departmental awards from the University of Manitoba, including the Mark G. and Patricia N.
Smerchanski Graduate Award for clean energy research (2013); an honorable mention in the Manitoba Institute
for Materials Conference poster competition (2013); and Teaching Assistant of the Year award (2014)
Full CV, thesis, copies of publications, and references available upon request