About

I am known for solving problems others have abandoned and completing tasks others have left unfinished. My background in math and physics helps me discuss technical concepts with scientists, engineers, salespeople, students, and teachers, as colleagues and as customers. I use my expert knowledge to estimate and calculate performance specifications. I write technical documentation such as hardware and software manuals, software tutorials, white papers, and troubleshooting instructions. I provide scientific support to software engineers, including editing and testing code. I create, edit, and publish written and visual content on websites and blogs. I'm able to take on many different responsibilities, and I learn new skills quickly.

Skills

Scientific Data Analysis

analysis of large data sets, plotting and presentation of data in Origin and MS Excel

Technical Writing & Communication

hardware and software manuals, white papers, posters, presentations, tutorials, sole source documentation, quotations, technical sales, sales support, troubleshooting

Scientific Programming

Visual Studio (C#), Perl, CERN's ROOT analysis framework (C++), Java, IDL, LabVIEW, Fortran, Matlab

Web Publishing

HTML, CSS, PHP, Dreamweaver

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Google Analytics, Google Adwords, Google Webmaster Tools, Clicky

Photography and Photo Editing

product photography, Photoshop, dSLR photography (Canon and Nikon)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

data entry into Salesforce & SQL, pulling reports from Salesforce & SQL

CAD

Solidworks and AutoCAD

Spanish

intermediate reading and writing, basic speaking

Experience

Applications Engineer
Mad City Labs - Madison, WI

June 2012 - June 2016

subject matter expert for single molecule microscopy systems and microscope stabilization systems
interfaced between R&D, engineering, software developers, production, sales, marketing, and customers
responsible for internal and external bills of materials
wrote quotations and orders
wrote documentation including hardware and software manuals, installation guides, and white papers
beta tested hardware and software and optimized microscope configuration for best photon statistics and multiple applications
modified C# programs in Visual Studio to fine tune nanopositioner timing and optical stabilization feedback
provided scientific advising to software group for data modeling, data fitting, and data visualization
attended Focus on Microscopy 2016 conference in Taipei, Taiwan

Sales Engineer
Mad City Labs - Madison, WI

January 2008 - June 2012

wrote quotations, product comparisons, technical documentation, tutorials, posters, and presentations
used knowledge of physics and math in technical discussions, to estimate performance requirements, and to analyze data from product testing and customer data
tested hardware using digital multimeter, function generator, interferometer, Hall probe, digital oscilloscope, etc.
tested and documented LabVIEW software for creating and running multi-axis raster scans
provided superior technical support to US and international customers and distributors
provided sales support to US and international distributors
tracked sales and support in CRM software: Salesforce and custom SQL
accepted purchase orders and wrote internal production orders and change order requests
maintained and updated over 20 websites using Dreamweaver
photographed products with dSLR and edited photographs in Photoshop for websites, catalog, and other literature
optimized web performance and Google advertisements using Google Analytics, Google Adwords, Google Webmaster Tools, and Clicky
presented a poster at a 2008 Gordon Research Conference in the US and attended LASER 2009 exhibition in Munich, Germany.
traveled for US conferences, exhibits, and local customer visits

Adjunct Professor of Physics
Hiram College - Hiram, OH

August 2006 - May 2007

taught introductory algebra based physics with laboratory sections
taught intensive study electronics course
taught intermediate laboratory intsrumetnation course

Summer Teaching Assistant - Physical Sciences
Cleveland Mathematics and Science Partnership - Cleveland, OH

June 2006 - August 2006

led and assisted with professional development courses in physics laboratory and Earth science for Cleveland middle school and high school teachers with the goal of improving content knowledge and encouraging inquiry-based learning

Graduate Research Assistant - Medical Physics
Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH

August 2005 - June 2006

researched specific absorption rate (SAR) in humans for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and presented findings to a small group

Graduate Research Assistant - Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays
Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH

August 2004 - June 2006

analyzed large data sets from the Pierre Auger Observatory, a multi-detector cosmic ray observatory the size of New Hampshire
wrote Perl scripts and C++ programs using CERN's ROOT framework
traveled to Turin, Italy for training on CERN's ROOT framework
traveled to Malargue, Argentina to the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory to help with tests of GPS timing equipment
publication: Allison, P., et al. "Timing Calibration and Synchronization of Surface and Fluorescence Detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory." Proceedings of the 29th International Cosmic Ray Conference. August 3-10, 2005, Pune, India. Mumbai: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 2005. Volume 8, p.307. (Listed as Erin E. Vanderpan)

Graduate Teaching Assistant - Calculus-Based Physics Laboratories
Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH

August 2003 - June 2006

awarded the Graduate Dean's Instructional Excellence award, 2003-2004
taught laboratory sections for science and engineering majors and pre-med students
critiqued scientific writing in laboratory reports
troubleshooted laboratory equipment and analysis software
instructed students on scientific practices in data presentation using Origin software
partly responsible for discovery of multiple instances of plagiarism in the student lab reports

Undergraduate Research Assistant - X-Ray Astrophysics
University of Wisconsin-Madison - Madison, WI

June 2001 - June 2003

designed filter wheel vacuum chamber for sounding rocket
soldered fine wires for X-ray quantum calorimeter
assisted conference organizers for LTD-9 Low Temperature Detector Conference in Madison

Education

Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH
Master of Science in Physics - 2005

emphasis on experimental physics
Graduate Dean's Instructional Excellence Award 2003-2004

Univeristy of Wisconsin-Madison - Madison, WI
Bachelor of Science, double major in Physics and Violin Performance - 2003

Fay Ajzenberg-Selove Award, Physics Department, 2002
Four Year Full Tuition Scholarship from UW Summer Music Clinic

Connect

Middleton Community Orchestra

Between September and June every year, the Middleton Community Orchestra performs about 5 concerts at the Middleton Performing Arts Center behind Middleton High School. You'll find me leading the second violin section or helping with the punch bowl at the reception. I have been a member of the MCO since it was founded in 2010. Visit the link in the title above for concert information or information about joining the orchestra.

Sophisticates of String Quartet

You might also see me around Madison playing first violin in the Sophisticates of String Quartet for parties, weddings, and other events in the greater Madison area. I've been a member of the quartet for over 20 years, with a brief hiatus during grad school. Visit the link in the title above for more information or to book the quartet.

Madison Photography Meetup Group

I also enjoy going to Meetups with the Madison Photography Meetup Group. It's a fun way to meet people who share a passion for photography. The meetings provide information on new skills and critiques of members' photos, and the events highlight the best opportunities for photographs in the Madison area. Members also post their photographs at the Madison Photography Meetup Group Flickr Group.