Mehana N.

Daftary
Montgomery Blair High School Class of 2018
10511 Beechknoll Lane, Potomac, MD 20854, Email: [email protected], Mobile: 240-499-4936
Education
201417 Montgomery Blair High School, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet Program,
Silver Spring, MD, CGPA 3.81, WGPA: 4.63, SAT: 1520, ACT: 35, 450 SSL Hours
201114 Eastern Middle School, Humanities & Communications Magnet Program, Silver Spring, MD

Research Experience
2017 Pathways Employee, Advanced Materials Section, Chemistry Division, Mentor: Matt Laskoski, PhD
Novel Synthesis of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramics for Space and Shielding Applications
Devised a method for synthesizing fiber-reinforced ceramics using the novel polymer precursor drive method
and analyzed using density, XRD, TGA, rheometry, and DSC analysis
2016 Office of Naval Research (ONR) Science and Engineering Apprenticeship (SEAP)
Fireproof Resin-Fiber Composite Synthesis, Mentor: Matt Laskoski, PhD
Synthesized and characterized phthalonitrile resins and their respective composites using Differential Scanning
Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Rheometry to discover fire related properties for each type of
phthalonitrile resin
2015 Office of Naval Research (ONR) Science and Engineering Apprenticeship (SEAP)
Synthesizing Polymeric Support Structures to Catalytically Deactivate Chemical Warfare Agents, Mentor:
Holly L. Ricks-Laskoski, PhD
Synthesized the cationic polystyrene-1H-tetrazole polymer using methylation for use in supporting
polyoxometalates (compounds shown to deactivate Chemical Warfare Agents), and conducted NMR
characterization to confirm structures of compounds
2015 Coastal Ecology Research at Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Virginia
2014 Comparing Buffer Capacitance of Borate and Acetate Buffers

Publications
Synthesis and Superconducting Properties of Niobium Carbide/Nitride Nanoparticulate Ceramics Prepared from a
Pre-Ceramic Polymer M. Laskoski, J. Prestigiacomo, T.M. Keller, W. Mahzabeen, A. R. Shepherd, M.N. Daftary,
J.S. Clarke, A. Neal, S.B. Qadri, B. Dyatkin, and M.Osofsky, J. Phys. Chem. Part C, Submitted July 2017.

Laskoski, M, Clarke, JS, Neal, A., Harvey BG, Ricks-Laskoski HL, W. J. Hervey WJ, Daftary MN, Shepherd AR,
Keller TM. Sustainable High-Temperature Phthalonitrile Resins Derived from Resveratrol and Dihydroresveratrol.
ChemistrySelect 2016, 1, 3423-3427.

Coursework
Sciences: Organic Chemistry, Advanced Placement Chemistry, Genetic Analysis, Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry,
Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics
Math: Calculus I & II, Applied Statistics, Sport Statistics, Political Statistics
Foreign Language/Humanities: Spanish (Level 4), Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, Language and
Composition, US Government, World History
Computer Science: Algorithms and Data Structures, Foundations of Computer Science

Skills
Computer: Basic Java, STELLA, HTML, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Autodesk Inventor
Biology: Proficient in Gel Electrophoresis
Chemistry (Laboratory): H1 -NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy); Buchner Filtration; Rheometer, TGA,
and DSC; Phthalonitrile fiber-reinforced composite synthesis, fiber-reinforced composite ceramic synthesis, operation
of hydraulic press, ball mill, and furnace
Achievements
2017 Gold Award, DOTD: Dispose of Those Drugs, Girl Scouts
Educated community members not exposed to drug abuse about the epidemic currently spreading in the country.
Disseminated information regarding how to safely dispose of drugs, along with inviting police officers, poison
control specialists, and the former Assistant States Attorney
2017 55th National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, San Diego, CA, Attendee and Poster Presenter
Presented Fireproof Resin-Fiber Composite Synthesis in the national poster fair
2017 Montgomery County Science Fair, Honorable Mention Chemistry, Naval Research Laboratory Certificate of
Excellence, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1st Place
Invited to NASA Goddard to present Fireproof Resin-Fiber Composite Synthesis for the AIAA NCS meeting
2017 Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Oral Presenter, Finalist Qualifier
Presented Fireproof Resin-Fiber Composite Synthesis to an audience of 200+ people at Georgetown University
2017 AP Scholar with Distinction
2016 2nd Prize, Scholastic Achievement Award - Principles of Life Essay Contest - The Rotary Club of Silver
Spring-Kensington
Wrote an essay regarding kindness and compassion and how it shapes daily life
nd
2016 2 Place Chemistry, Excellent Presentation of Apprenticeship Project, NRL
Presented Fireproof Resin-Fiber Composites project to audience of researchers and scientists at NRL
2016 1st Place Chemistry, Montgomery County Science Fair, 2nd Place Recognition
Presented Synthesizing Polymeric Support Structures to Catalytically Deactivate Chemical Warfare Agents
2015 Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, Level 5 Piano Honors, Level 4 Piano First Class Honors
2015 Meritorious Achievement for Outstanding Projects in Health-Related Research, US Public Health Service
Commissioned Officers Association
2015 Certificate of Excellence in the Communication of Science, Honorable Mention - Chemistry
2014 1st Place Chemistry, Certificate of Excellence in the Communication of Science [Rockville Science Center],
Montgomery County Science Fair, 2014
2013 1st Place Chemistry, Montgomery County Science Fair
2013 Silver Award, Girl Scouts
Partnered with a local food bank to provide weekly food bags to students at a local elementary school in the free
and reduced meals program, educated the local houses of worship to increase awareness of local hunger

Activities
2016present Editor-in-Chief, Silver Chips Online
Managed staff of 20 writers, photographers, and videographers for silverchips.mbhs.edu. Edited junior
staff writing and reported on breaking news stories that affected Montgomery Blair High School
Sponsor: Michelle Edwards
2016present Science National Honor Society, National Honors Society, Tri-M Music Honors Society, Member
Completed various service projects related to science, education, and music, including providing presents
for shelters during the winter, assisting with Blairs TEDx talk, and facilitating Blairs Senior Citizen jazz
show
2016--present CUPS Club, Member
2014present Strathmore Childrens Chorus, Sponsor: Christopher Guerra
Performed alongside Julie Andrews and other groups through five shows at the Strathmore Music Center
2014present Choreogapher, InToneNation acapella group, Sponsor: Isabel Hernandez-Cata
2014-present MBHS Chamber Singers, Sponsor: Isabel Hernandez-Cata
2014-16 MBHS Debate Team, Sponsor: Sean Gabaree
2014present Montgomery Blair Theatre, Productions of: Fiddler on the Roof, Kismet, Hamlet, The Wiz
2013-17 MLK Day of Service
2011-14 Summer Leadership Institute Teen Counselor and Participant
2011present Manna Food Bank, The Village at Rockville, Volunteer
2008-15 American Classical Tap Dance
2007-present Girl Scouts of America, Brownie, Girl Scout, Cadette, Senior
2006present Classical Piano, Indian Classical Dance